The department offers a M.S. in Computer Science with a Data Science concentration suited to individuals with an undergraduate degree in computer science with a special interest in data science. Those obtaining the degree may pursue careers in industry or enter a Ph.D. program in Computer Science.

Students are required to take the following 4 core courses:

• CS 526: Algorithms
• CS 534: Machine Learning
• CS 551: Systems Programming
• CS 554: Database Systems

In addition, students are required to take at least 3 concentration electives from:

• CS 557: Artificial Intelligence
• CS 562: Advanced Computer Systems
• CS 563: Digital Image Processing
• CS 570: Data Mining
• CS 571: Natural Language Processing
• CS 572: Information Retrieval
• CS 573: Data Privacy and Security
• BIOS 506: Statistical Methods (4)
• BIOS 510: Probability Theory (4)

Students are required to choose one of the following tracks:

• Thesis:
  An acceptable masters thesis and oral defense (9 credit hours).
• Project:
  Completion of one approved elective course, and a faculty supervised project, formally taken by registering for CS598 (for up to 6 credit hours). The project may be external as long as it is approved and co-advised by the faculty advisor. The project result may be in the form of a report or documented software. Satisfactory completion of the project requires approval by the faculty advisor.
• Coursework:
  Completion of 9 additional electives hours. Courses outside the department (e.g., from the sciences, schools of medicine and public health, or the business schools) may be taken if they coincide with the degree objective of the student. Approval of electives will be by the Computer Science Committee.

Practicum: all MS students will be required to complete a practicum (CS596R: Computer Science Master's Practicum) involving a substantial project either under the direction of an Emory faculty member or a Computer Science/Informatics expert in Industry. This requirement is intended to provide students with practical experience with real life projects, an essential element of an applied discipline such as Computer Science and Informatics. In order to graduate, every MS student should successfully complete at least one CS596R. As an "R" designated course, students may repeat this once, and in exceptional circumstances, one additional time with permission from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students may substitute at most one of the above electives with a relevant course from Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, the Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and appropriate schools at Georgia Tech through the ARCHE program. When substituting courses, a student must obtain prior written approval from the thesis advisor and CSI DGS/program director(s). Students must complete their core courses with a grade of B or higher and complete all coursework by year two with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.