Computer Science
Program Overview
The Department of Computer Science's I2CS online Professional Master of Computer Science degree, certificate programs, and individual course certificates enable busy professionals to enhance their education and advance their careers, while continuing to meet their current career obligations. Our uniquely designed courses are identical to our top-tier on-campus programs--the only difference is your location.
With I2CS, you can leverage our world-class faculty and research, and your on-campus peers for a distance learning program unlike any other. For more information about this program, please submit the Request for Information form.
The I2CS program is restricted to off-campus professionals and is not intended for those who have access to our on-campus courses and programs.
Online MCS Degree
Earn a Professional Master of Computer Science (M.C.S.) degree from a leader in information technology entirely online with no required campus visits. All students receive the same lectures, class assignments, exams and projects as on-campus students. Degree requirements are the same as for the on-campus Professional M.C.S. program and can be found at Professional M.C.S. Degree Requirements.
Online students can complete this degree in as little as three years (by completing 4 credit hours per semester). Online students must complete the program within 5 years. The degree awarded is the same as the on-campus Professional M.C.S. degree.
The Certificate Program allows students to receive a certificate in a specialized area of computer science. Each certificate requires students to complete three courses (4 hours each, a total of 12 hours). In addition, students are required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for the sequence and receive a letter grade of "B-" or higher in each course. One 4 hour course in a certificate area can be taken before admission to the program and credit transferred if a letter grade of "B-" or higher is received.
The certificate areas available are listed below.
Security
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CS 461 — Computer Security I
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CS 463 — Computer Security II
- And one of the following:
- CS 563 — Advanced Topics in Computer Security
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CS 523 — Advanced Operating Systems
Networks and Distributed Systems
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CS 425 — Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
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CS 438 — Communication Networks for Computers
- And one of the following:
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CS 423 — Operating Systems Design
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CS 523 — Advanced Operating Systems
Information Systems
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CS 411 — Database Systems or CS 412: Intro Data Mining
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CS 511 — Design of Database Management Systems
- And one of the following:
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CS 423 — Operating System Design
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CS 425 — Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
Software Engineering
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CS 427 — Software Engineering I
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CS 428 — Software Engineering II
- And one of the following:
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CS 527 — Advanced Topics in Software Engineering
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CS 528 — (formerly CS 598REJ) Object-Oriented Programming and Design
System Software
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CS 423 — Operating Systems Design
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CS 523 — Advanced Operating Systems
- And one of the following:
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CS 425 — Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
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CS 438 — Communication Networks for Computers
Single Course Certificate Option
- Students who take an individual computer science course online for credit and are not in either the certificate or degree program may request a Certificate of Completion if a grade of B- or higher is received. Up to three courses can be transferred towards the degree program if accepted for admission. Register for a course and get additional information at the Engineering Online Program page. Please note that the online (I2CS) program is restricted to off-campus professionals and is not intended for those who have access to our on-campus courses and programs.
Online Courses
Below is a list of the Computer Science graduate courses offered online. To review which courses are being offered for the upcoming terms, see the current Course Offerings page.
Algorithms and Theory
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CS 477 — Formal Software Development Methods
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CS 573 — Topics in Algorithms
Artificial Intelligence
- CS 440 — Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (starting fall 2013)
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CS 446 — Machine Learning
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CS 543 — Computer Vision
Architecture, Parallel Computing and Systems
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CS 433 — Computer Systems Organization
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CS 426 — Compiler Construction
- CS 436 — Intro to Parallel Programming
Database and Information Systems
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CS 410 — Text Information Systems
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CS 411 — Database Systems
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CS 412 — Introduction to Data Mining
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CS 511 — Advanced Database Systems
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CS 512 — Advanced Data Mining Principles
Graphics, Visualization, and HCI
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CS 465 — User Interface Design
Programming Languages, Formal Systems, and Software Engineering
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CS 421 — Programming Languages and Compilers
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CS 427 — Software Engineering I
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CS 428 — Software Engineering II
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CS 527 — Advanced Topics in Software Engineering
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CS 528 — (formerly CS 598REJ) Object - Oriented Programming and Design
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CS 576 — Topics in Automated Deduction
Systems and Networking
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CS 423 — Operating Systems Design
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CS 425 — Distributed Systems
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CS 438 — Communication Networks
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CS 461 — Computer Security I
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CS 463 — Computer Security II
-
CS 523 — Advanced Operating Systems
-
CS 538 — Advanced Computer Networks
General University and Department Applicant Requirements
- Applicants to the graduate programs must have been awarded (or about to be awarded) a 4-year bachelors degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois.
- Applicants applying to the online (I2CS) Professional MCS program must have a 3.2 or higher GPA in their undergraduate studies (international GPAs are systematically converted) to be considered. If an applicant also holds a graduate degree, the GPA for that degree must also be at least a 3.0 or higher.
- Note: the average GPA of those applicants recommended for admission by the Department of Computer Science is much higher (3.7/4.0) than the minimum requirements.
- Applicants who hold masters degrees in computer science or computer engineering whose degree requirements are equivalent the M.S. or M.C.S. degree in CS at UIUC should not apply for a second master degree. The Graduate College of the University of Illinois will not award degrees which are duplicate in content, if not name, to one already awarded. These applicants may, of course, apply to the doctoral program.
- Applicants whose undergraduate degree is a three-year program are not eligible for graduate level admission consideration at the University of Illinois. As stated previously, the degree must be equivalent to the four-year bachelor degrees awarded by this university. If the applicant has a 3 year undergraduate degree and a graduate master degree, the combination may fulfill the equivalency requirement of the bachelor degree only.
- Applicants who do not hold a bachelor in computer science must have sufficient background in computer programming, algorithms and data structures, computer organization, and theory of computation (Comparable to CS 125, CS 225, CS 231/232, and CS 173/373 at UIUC). Please note that we do not offer undergraduate courses online.
- The online (I2CS) program is restricted to off-campus professionals and is not intended for those who have access to our on-campus courses and programs.
Contact Information
Program Assistance
Professor Roy Campbell, Director of CS Graduate Admission and Advancement
Kara MacGregor, Admissions Procedures
Rhonda McElroy, Assistant Director of CS Graduate Programs and Advisor for MCS program
Drew MacGregor, Technical Support, Lecture Capture and Delivery
Phone and Email for General Assistance
Phone: (217) 333-4428
Fax: (217) 244-6073
Email: academic
cs [dot] illinois [dot] edu
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am to 11:45am
1:00pm to 4:45pm
Mailing Address
Computer Science Department Academic Office
201 N. Goodwin Ave, Suite 1210
Urbana, IL 61801-2302
For additional information regarding Engineering Online graduate programs, contact the Office of Online and Professional Engineering Programs.
Department Page
http://cs.illinois.edu/online
