Getting Started
Academics
Looking to register for your classes or find necessary course materials? View the options below to quickly access these resources and more.
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Course Registration
Prior to registration each term, you will receive a registration guide housing a course schedule including all course offerings and course codes. Please refer to the registration instructions below when registering for your courses each term. If you have any questions about your academic plan or course sequence, please reach out to your Student Success Advisor.
Instructions to register for classes:
- Log in to MySlice using your Syracuse NetID and password.
- On the home page, locate the “Student Services” section. Click “Enroll in a Class” within the “Enrollment” section.
- Click the “Enroll” tab on the top row, and “Add” in the second row.
- Select the appropriate term and click “Continue”:
- January = Winter
- April = Spring
- July = Summer
- October = Fall
- Locate the “Add to Cart” option. In the text box, enter the five-digit course number for the section you would like to register for and click “Enter.”
- The five-digit section number can be found on the schedule of courses attached in your registration.
- Be sure to unclick the “Show Open Courses Only” box before clicking “Search.”
- In the sections listed, you will see green circles next to those open for registration. Classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to register for the next term’s classes as soon as registration opens.
- To register for the section, click the green button that says “Proceed to Step 2 of 3.”
- Click the “Finish Enrolling” green button to officially enroll in the section.
- You are now officially enrolled! Click the “Add Another Class” button to add your second section.
- When you’re finished, click “My Class Schedule” to view your schedule for the upcoming term.
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Course Materials
It is the student’s responsibility to purchase their own textbooks, software and necessary equipment. You will receive a listing of required texts prior to the start of classes.
The syllabuses will reflect the most up-to-date information regarding the required texts. Syllabuses are located in the course “Toolbox” link in each of your courses in 2SU. Courses will be available to view approximately seven days before the first day of the term’s classes. If you’re interested in looking through a syllabus from a previous term to inform your course choice, let your Student Success Advisor know.
Please note that individual course materials are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion prior to the start of classes. For this reason, we recommend purchasing books with a return option. Textbooks can be purchased directly from the Syracuse Bookstore or from a textbook provider of your choice.
If you would rather order a textbook through a third-party vendor, first confirm the books you need are on the updated textbook list prior to each term. You should also confirm that the versions or editions of each textbook from a third-party vendor match the versions on your list prior to ordering your books.
If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to Student Success at 855.797.4364 or email us.
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Preparatory Courses
Students admitted into the program who do not have prior demonstrated academic and/or work experience in certain areas may be advised to start their program with up to 6 additional credits of preparatory coursework before they progress into the required 30 credits of coursework for their program. These courses are recommended by the application reviewers to ensure you are prepared to succeed in the program. These topics include programming, discrete math and data structures, operating systems, and computer architecture and organization.
Two courses will be offered with coursework that emphasizes the foundational knowledge and competencies necessary to succeed in the programs. To be awarded a master’s degree, students must maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA in the two preparatory courses as well as all other coursework taken at Syracuse University.
- Programming & Data Structures – 3 Credits: The course uses the C language to teach an introduction to data structures. The course covers the basic constructs of programming and problem-solving: variables, control statements, iteration, structures, abstract data structures, algorithm analysis, array, strings, lists, trees, binary search trees, heaps, hashing, graphs.
- Computer Organization & Operating System Design – 3 Credits: This course covers computer organization topics such as CPU and pipeline architecture, data representation and memory hierarchies, assembly language, and instruction sets. Operating system concepts include system calls, processes, threads, synchronization, memory management, input-output, traps and file systems.
Registering for and Completing a Preparatory Course
Register for a Preparatory Course
To register for a preparatory course, you will email your Student Success Advisor after reviewing the terms Registration Guide with your choice.
Upon Completion of a Preparatory Course
- Students Who Achieved a Grade of B or Higher in the Preparatory Course: If you achieved a grade of B or higher, that demonstrates that you have a good understanding of the course material and can then move on to your next course. If you were recommended for both preparatory courses and only took one, your next course should be the second preparatory course. If you successfully completed the preparatory course(s) you were recommended to take, you can now move on to the program courses.
- Students Who Achieved a Grade of B- in the Preparatory Course: If your grade in the course was a B-, your knowledge of the course material should be sufficient enough for you to move on to your next course. If you were recommended for both preparatory courses and only took one, your next course should be the second preparatory course.
- For Students Who Achieved a Grade of C+ or Lower in the Preparatory Course: If your grade in the course was a C+ or lower, that demonstrates that you did not have a very strong knowledge of the course material. There are concerns about how well you will succeed in the program courses based on your performance in the preparatory course(s). It is our recommendation that you consider retaking the course to ensure you have a strong enough understanding of the course material to be successful in our program.
GPA Requirement
Please remember, Syracuse University requires that the student must maintain a cumulative total GPA of at least a 3.0 in those courses to be credited toward the M.S. degree, and a minimum cumulative total GPA of 2.8 in all graduate courses taken at Syracuse University. While the preparatory courses will not count toward the 30 credits that make up your M.S. degree, they will still count toward achieving the minimum 2.8 GPA required for all Syracuse University courses.
Any course in which you have a grade of C+ or lower, you can retake and then flag the original grade. When flagging a grade, the original grade will remain on your course transcript but would no longer count toward your GPA.
If you have questions about the preparatory courses, please reach out to Student Success at 855.797.4364 or email us.
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Sample Course Sequence
While each student may complete their program at their own pace, below are sample course schedules students may use to plan out their time in the program.
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Electives
You may find a list of all elective offerings per program below.
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Academic Policies
Grade Flagging Process
For students who repeated a course previously taken, remember that you must file a petition to flag the lower grade. The lower grade will remain on your transcript but will no longer count toward your GPA. To flag a grade, you must have retaken the course under the same prefix. For example, if you have a low grade in CSE661, you must retake the course as CSE661. If you retake the cross-listed course CIS655, you cannot flag the course.
To flag a grade, contact your Student Success Advisor for a petition form. A sample of what you should write is: “I wish to flag the grade of C- for CSE661 taken in the Fall 2018 semester and replace it with the grade of B+ for CSE661 taken in the Spring 2020 semester.”
GPA
To be awarded a master’s degree, you must have a 3.0 grade point average overall in your official program of study, and a minimum 2.8 grade point average for all graduate coursework taken at Syracuse University. You will be notified at the end of each term if your term or cumulative GPA has fallen below a 3.0.
For students in the M.S. in Computer Science program, in each of the core courses, students must achieve a course grade of 2.667 (B-) or better.
For students in all programs, in each of the core courses, the student will complete a final exam. The average of all core course final exams must be a grade of 2.667 (B-) or better.
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In-Person Immersions
Immersions allow students to meet and collaborate with their peers, learn from guest speakers who are industry experts, and participate in collaborative workshops. Previous workshop topics have included: Big Data, Cybersecurity Operations, Mobile Application Development and Hardware Software Co-Design. Presentations included topics on alumni engagement and career services, as well as a campus tour. The immersion is a fantastic opportunity to network and meet peers and professors in the program.
Immersions are held on campus for a weekend, Friday through Sunday. Students will be required to attend at least one immersion that is not offered for credit during the degree program.
Students may also make time during the immersion weekend to pick up their Syracuse University student ID.