Graduate Tracks
Take your M.S. or MCS degree to the next level by specializing in a sought-after field like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and software engineering. Graduate tracks are expertly designed for our computer science master's students and offer innovative courses that empower you to stand out to employers. By completing just three or more courses, you'll not only gain essential real-world skills but also position yourself as a leader in today’s dynamic technology landscape.
Artificial Intelligence
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B− or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
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Data Science
Students must complete MCS Degree Requirements and the following specialized research areas and courses.
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed with a letter grade of B− or higher.
Breadth Coursework - must complete one course per area
| Area | Courses Available |
| Machine learning | CS 441 Applied Machine Learning CS 445 Computational Photography CS 446 Machine Learning CS 447 Natural Language Processing CS 598 Deep Learning for Healthcare |
| Data mining | CS 410 Text Information Systems CS 411 Database Systems CS 412 Introduction to Data Mining |
| Data visualization | CS 416 Data Visualization CS 519 Scientific Visualization |
| Cloud computing | CS 425 Distributed Systems (Cloud Computing Concepts) CS 435 Cloud Networking CS 437 Internet of Things CS 498 Cloud Computing Applications |
Advanced Coursework - must complete three courses from the following
- CS 513 Theory & Practice of Data Cleaning
- CS 519 Scientific Visualization
- CS 598 Advanced Bayesian Modeling
- CS 598 Practical Statistical Learning
- CS 598 Deep Learning for Healthcare
- CS 598 Foundations of Data Curation
- CS 598 Data Mining Capstone
- CS 598 Cloud Computing Capstone
Graphics and Visualization
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B- or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
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Immersive Computing
Students must complete MCS Degree Requirements and the following specialized research areas and courses.
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed with a letter grade of B− or higher.
The Immersive Computing MCS-IMC track prepares students to lead the next wave of technological innovation, where virtual and physical realities seamlessly merge. This professional graduate program focuses on extended reality (XR) technologies—including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), the metaverse, and spatial computing. Immersive computing enables us to digitally recreate the physical world as experienced through all our senses, Immersive augment it with virtual content, and interact naturally across a spectrum of mixed physical and virtual experiences. Immersive computing has the potential to transform virtually all industries and human activities.
Breadth Requirement (12-16 credit hours)
- (i) CS 417 (required and counted as one breadth in Interactive Computing)
- (ii) 3 courses from three other breadth areas from the six IMC core areas
- Architecture, Compilers, Parallel Computing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Interactive Computing
- Programming Languages, Formal Methods, Software Engineering
- Security and Privacy
- Systems and Networking
Advanced Requirements (12 credit hours)
- (i) CS 534 IC: Advanced Topics course in Immersive Computing Systems (cannot be used to fulfill breadth requirements)
- (ii) CS 500-level course from one of the four breadth areas completed
- (iii) CS 500-level course from one of six IMMERSE breadth areas or CS 597 or other approved non-CS 500-level course
Subject to additional requirements
Information Systems
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B- or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
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Networked and Distributed Systems
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B− or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
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Security
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B− or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
|
Software Engineering
To fulfill track requirements, each course must be completed for 4 credits with a letter grade of B− or higher.
Must complete three courses from the following
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1 - What is a specialized track?
Specialized tracks are an opportunity for our master's students (M.S. and MCS) to recognize expertise in one or more areas of computer science study. They are optional paths one might take while working toward degree completion.
2 - Who can complete a specialized track?
Computer science graduate students currently enrolled in a master's program (either M.S. or MCS).
3 - Will specialized tracks appear on my transcript?
Specialized tracks will not appear on your transcript. Students who complete specialized track(s) will receive a digital certificate and badge from the Siebel School upon completion of all track requirements.
4 - Do courses taken for specialized tracks count toward my degree?
Yes. Pursuit of a track does not change your degree requirements at all, and courses counted toward the master's degree will count toward the track, and vice-versa.
5 - How and when do I apply to a track?
Apply by completing the online application form. Students can submit their form after the 10th day of the semester in which they complete the final track course.
6 - How many tracks can I complete?
Students are welcome to complete as many tracks as they are able to within the approved timeline for degree completion. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward their degree program. Pursuit of a specialized track must not delay making timely degree progress.
Students are required to graduate in the term in which they complete final degree requirements, and they are expected to complete all degree requirements within the approved time frame for their program. Pursuit of a specialized track does not grant extra time to study. Time extensions will not be approved to complete tracks after completing their degree requirements or after reaching the maximum program length for the specific degree program.
No course substitutions are permitted for the specialized tracks. Track course requirements were determined by faculty in that area after careful consideration. If a course is not listed, it will not satisfy the track requirements even if the course’s topic generally covers that area.
For example, even though CS 444 may generally be considered an AI course, it is not listed in the AI track list, so it would not count as one of the courses toward that track. Note that these approved course lists for tracks are distinct from the breadth course lists. For example, a course might be acceptable as a security & privacy breadth course but not toward the security track or vice-versa.
9 - When will I get my track certificate?
After the semester is complete and grades are reported, the Siebel School Graduate Advising Office will confirm all track requirements have been met. Students will be notified via email when their digital certificate and badge are released.
10 - Can I get multiple copies of my track certificate or get an extra one later?
Students can download the digital certificate and badge more than once.
If the course is approved for transfer to the master's degree – i.e., it was not required for the undergrad degree and the normal Change of Course Level process is approved – and the required number of credit hours was earned for the track, coursework previously completed as an undergraduate can be applied. For tracks that require courses be completed for 4 credits, while transferring a 3-credit course may satisfy degree requirements, it will not fulfill a requirement for those tracks.
12 - Can I transfer credits completed at another institution to satisfy a track requirement?
No, only courses taken through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (either in Urbana, Chicago or online) can be used to satisfy a track requirement. External courses approved for transfer to the master's degree will not be considered toward a specialized track.
13 - Where can I find more information?
For questions not answered on this page, please reach out to your program office.
Urbana M.S. or MCS students: grad@siebelschool.illinois.edu
Chicago MCS students: chicago-mcs@mx.uillinois.edu
Online MCS students: Use the Online MCS Support Email
Enrolled M.S. and MCS students, apply today.