No specializations are required for the MS degree in computer science, but the following are available for those who are interested.

Specialization in Operations Research

The operations research specialization is designed for students who want to use mathematical techniques to model and analyze decision problems. The program includes theory and applications for linear programming, integer programming, network analysis, and simulation. Students desiring to specialize in operations research should have a full-year sequence in programming using a higher-level language, plus one course in assembler. Additional prerequisites are differential and integral calculus, a course in linear algebra, a course in statistics, and an introduction in operations research. Deficiencies in background may be made up at the beginning of graduate study.

The following courses are required of students specializing in operations research:

1. CS 5420 or OR 5720.
2. CS 6120, 6470, 6490.
3. OR 6610, 6620.
4. Three of the following: CS 5050, 5200, 5250, 5510, 5620, 5640, 6250, 6640.
5. One of the following: STAT 5020, 5080, 5140, 5160.
6. A graduate project (CS 6910 or OR 6910).

Specialization in Parallel and Distributed Computing

The parallel and distributed computing specialization is designed for students interested in the design, analysis and use of integrated, distributed information processing systems. It includes intensive studies on principles of computer networking, client-server computing, high performance computer architectures, centralized and decentralized operating systems, and creation/visualization of data objects over the network.

The following courses are required of students specializing in parallel and distributed computing:

1. CS 5050, 5170, 5290, 6120, 6290.
2. Either CS 6070 or CS 6150.
3. A thesis (CS 6990) under Plan I or a graduate project (CS 6910) under Plan II.

Specialization in Software Engineering

This specialization is designed for students who want a focused study of software engineering. The program provides intensive studies in the software lifecycle, software development methodologies, formal models of software engineering, human-computer interaction, and database management. The prerequisites for this program are the same as for the general computer science program.

The following courses are required of students specializing in software engineering:

1. CS 5050, 5640, 6120, 6640.
2. Two of CS 5250, 5620, 6150, 6250, 6650.
3. A thesis (CS 6990) under Plan I or a graduate project (CS 6910) under Plan II.