Carnegie Mellon University

MSIS Curriculum for MS30

For Students Starting the MSIS in Fall 2018 (MS30)

The MSIS curriculum consists of three main components: the core courses, restricted electives, and the curriculum option. The core courses establish the necessary background and a common competence level, and the restricted elective courses build upon the core. Students can choose from a wide variety of technical and management elective courses according to their interests and career needs.

Course Lists

Core Course Requirements 72 units
Restricted Electives 36 units
Curriculum Option  36 units
Internship 0 units
Total  144 units 

Please Note: Students that choose the Cyber Forensics and Incident Response Track do not add any additional units. The forensics track consists of 48 units, which will be counted as the required additional core security course (12 units) and the curriculum option (36 units). All INI students are required to complete a summer internship as part of their degree program.

Disclaimer: The INI cannot guarantee that courses will be offered each semester or in a specific semester as advertised below.  Students must refer to the 'Schedule of Classes' to determine course availability. The INI cannot guarantee that a student will be offered a seat in a specific course.  These apply to courses at the INI as well as other departments at Carnegie Mellon. In addition, it is the sole responsibility of the student to read and understand the following information regarding this program and its requirements. Should an individual have any further questions, they are encouraged to contact INI Academic Affairs Office (AAO) at ini-enrollment@andrew.cmu.edu for assistance.

MSIS Curriculum Framework

*Please review the additional course information for all prerequisites.

72 Units Core Courses

Of these units, 24 are Networks & Systems courses, 36 are Security courses, and 12 are Risk Management courses. 

12 units: choose from one course below

14-740: Fundamentals of Telecommunications and Computer Networks (FALL)
15-641: Computer Networks (FALL)
18-756: Packet Switching and Computer Networks (FALL)
14-760: Advanced Real-Time Data Networks (SPRING)

12 units: choose from one course below

14-642: Introduction to Embedded Systems (FALL or SPRING)
14-736: Distributed Systems: Techniques, Infrastructure, and Services (SPRING)
15-605: Operating System Design and Implementation (FALL or SPRING)
18-746: Storage Systems (FALL)

12 units: Choose from ONe Course Below

14-741: Introduction to Information Security (FALL)

12 units: choose from one course below

18-731: Network Security (SPRING)
18-732: Secure Software Systems (SPRING)
18-733: Applied Cryptography (SPRING)
18-734: Foundation of Privacy (FALL) 

12 units

One additional graduate-level security course.
Please review the list of pre-approved graduate security courses.
Please refer to the MSIS Core Courses list on the Course List page.

6 units

14-782: Information Security Risk Management I (SPRING, First Year)

6 units

14-788: Information Security Policy and Management (SPRING, First Year) 

36 Units Restricted Electives

Students have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of electives in which they have a special interest. Restricted electives may not be taken as pass/no pass/audit. 

12 units: Choose from one below

Must be from the INI (14-XXX), ECE (18-XXX), or CS (15-XXX) that are numbered 300 or above
or 
One of the following EPP courses: 19-608, 19-682, 19-712, 19-713, or 19-784. 

24 units

The remaining units are fulfilled by any approved courses in the Heinz College or Tepper School or any courses* in ECE, EPP, ETC, School of Computer Science, INI, or III that are numbered 300 or above. 
*Some exceptions apply. 

36 Units Curriculum Option

choose one of the following*: 

Course Option: Set of courses that will equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in industry. 

Development-Based Project: Students increase their knowledge and skills in delivering successful solutions for industry. 

Thesis Research Paper: Allows students to delve deeply into a problem and create a solution for a research-based project, providing the opportunity to gain significant knowledge and skills in a particular area. 

*Students must choose either a Professional Track (Course Option or Development-Based Project) or a Research Track (Thesis Research Paper) at the beginning of their first Spring semester.

0 Units Internship

All students must complete an INI-approved internship. 

The MSIS is 144 units in total. 

*Please review the additional course information for all prerequisites. 

15-641: Computer Networks (FALL) Prerequisite: 14-513 Introduction to Computer Systems (FALL). Alternative Options: 15-513 Introduction to Computer Systems or 18-613 Foundations of Computer Systems.

18-756: Packet Switching and Computer Networks (FALL) Prerequisite: either prior networking coursework or 18-345 Introduction to Telecommunication Networks (SPRING)

15-605: Operating System Design and Implementation (FALL or SPRING) Prerequisite: 14-513 Introduction to Computer Systems (FALL). Alternative Options: 15-513 Introduction to Computer Systems or 18-613 Foundations of Computer Systems. Students must receive at least a ‘B’ in the prerequisite course to be eligible to take 15-605, with priority given to those who receive an ‘A.'

18-746: Storage Systems (FALL or SPRING) Prerequisite: 14-513 Introduction to Computer Systems (FALL). Alternative Options: 15-513 Introduction to Computer Systems or 18-613 Foundations of Computer Systems.

14-741: Introduction to Information Security (FALL), prerequisite to 18-731 Network Security, 18-732 Secure Software Systems, 18-733 Applied Cryptography and 18-734 Foundation of Privacy