All students begin the MSCSSE degree by taking three common core courses required for the degree. Each course covers a specific philosophy that is a trademark of the MSCSSE program: Development, Design and Research.
CSS 543: Advanced Programming Methodology
Builds on knowledge of data structures and operating systems, introducing thread based and component based multi-tier programming. Reviews synchronization mechanisms and design/implementation of concurrent applications, discusses language/system independent software resuse, component technology, and multi-tier application design and development.
CSS 555: Evaluating Software Design
Studies best software engineering practices and methods used in prescriptive and agile approached to create and evaluate software design from an quality principled point-of-view. Considers design from quality dimensions such as performance, scalability, maintainability, usability, and security.
CSS 565: Research Methods in Software Development
In-depth study of research design and data analysis techniques for computing-related research activities. Students prepare a research proposal; examine experimental, quasi-experimental, and qualitative design strategies; perform meta-analytic research, define and collect appropriate software metrics; and perform appropriate advanced statistical analyses.
Systems Group
Courses within the systems group provide students who take the Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development (GCSDD) with the necessary exposure to technologies and methods they will be interacting with as a software developer. Depending on a students background, 1 or 2 classes may be required as part of their degree pathway. Systems Group courses are taken upon matriculation into the MSCSSE degree, and upon the advise of the Associate Director of Graduate Studies. Contact the CSS Graduate Advising office for further information.