VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Federal Government University

Master of Science in Computer Science (2 year program)

Introduction

Master of Science in Computer Science is being offered by the Department of Computer Science. The program is designed to produce academicians and professionals of high quality. The designed course work provides depth and breath-based knowledge of core computer science areas (as identified by the HEC), moreover specialization courses enable students to develop advanced expertise in their chosen area of specialization. Currently, following specializations are being offered:

  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Networks
  • Databases

Note:

  • The admission in MSCS program is offered only once a year in the Fall semester.
  • The MSCS Program is available for applicants residing within Pakistan only and is not available for overseas students (w.e.f. Fall 2018). If any student wishes to move overseas after gaining admission, he/she will be required to withdraw from the program.

Objectives

MS in Computer Science (MSCS) Program aims to:

  1. Equip students with advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in core areas of computer science.
  2. Cultivate specialized knowledge and technical expertise in the chosen area of specialization within computer science. 
  3. Foster the ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the body of knowledge in computer science. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • A degree earned after sixteen years of education in relevant discipline from an HEC recognized institution.

  • Candidate must have at least CGPA 2.50 out of 4 or first division wherein GPA system is not implemented.

  • Each candidate is required to pass the University’s Entry Test (with minimum 50% marks).

  • Limited seats on merit basis.

 

Deficiency Courses

If the schedule of courses pursued by a candidate does not provide adequate background for the degree course, which he/she intends to take up, he/she may be required to make up the deficiency by taking one or more additional course (s) of deficiency level as may be prescribed by the University.

The following core courses are recommended to be completed before entering the MS (CS) program:

  1. Analysis of Algorithms
  2. Assembly Lang. / Computer Architecture
  3. Computer Networks
  4. Computer Programming
  5. Data Structures
  6. Database Systems
  7. Operating Systems
  8. Software Engineering
  9. Theory of Automata

A candidate will be eligible for admission only if he/she has a deficiency of no more than four courses from the above list. Deficiency courses shall be determined by the Graduate Studies Committee at the time of admission. Student has to pass the deficiency courses in the first two semesters.

Merit Calculation Formula for Admission to MSCS Program

a) For Annual System:





b) For Semester System:

    In case of CGPA out of 4:



     In case of CGPA out of 5:


Note:

  • Limited seats are available on merit basis.
  • The MSCS Program is available for applicants residing within Pakistan only and is not available for overseas students (w.e.f. Fall 2018). If any student wishes to move overseas after gaining admission, he/she will be required to withdraw from the program.

Click here  to Download Entry Test Sample

Assessment Criteria

Students’ study progress is evaluated continuously throughout the semester using the assessment tools as described below. 

Semester Work

Apply

Graded/Non-Graded

Marks

Count

Assignments

a

Graded

10-20%

2-3 / Course

Academic Paper

a

0-1 / Course

Presentation/Seminar

a

1 / Course

Course Viva

a

1 / Course

MDBs

a

Non-Graded

 

1 / Lecture (Module)

Interactive Sessions

a

Non-Graded

 

1 / Week

Mid Term Exam

a

Graded

20-30%

1 / Course

Final Term Exam

a

Graded

60%

1 / Course

Total

 

100%

 

Award of Degree

[w.e.f. batch Fall 2025]

For award of MS in Computer Science degree, a student must have:

  • Passed at least 30 MS-level credit hours, including four (04) core courses, the “Research Methodologies” course, two (02) courses from the chosen area of specialization and a research thesis
  • Obtained a CGPA of 2.5 or more

OR

In case of failure to complete thesis:

  • Passed at least 36 MS-level credit hours, including four (04) core courses, the “Research Methodologies” course, two (02) courses from the chosen area of specialization
  • Obtained a CGPA of 2.5 or more
[For batches uptill Fall 2024]
  • To become eligible for the award of MS in Computer Science (MSCS) degree, a student is required to complete minimum 33 MS level credit hours according to prescribed scheme of studies with at least CGPA of 2.50 out of 4.
  • For the completion of MS (CS) degree program, a student is required to pass: four core courses, minimum two courses from the area of specialization, Research Thesis (six credit hours) and remaining credit hours from the list of available courses.

Project / Internship / Practicals

 

Guidelines for Thesis Enrollment

Registration in “CS720 - Thesis” is allowed provided the student has:

  • Earned at least 18 credit hours with CGPA ≥ 2.50
  • Passed the “Research Methodology” course.

Scheme of Study

Total Credit Hours 30
Total Semesters 4
Duration 2 Years


MS in Computer Science Course Selection Rules
Semester No. 1
Course Code Title Category Sub Category Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS701 Theory of Computation Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS702 Advanced Algorithms Analysis and Design Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS708 Software Requirement Engineering Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Software Engineering
CS712 Distributed DBMS Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Databases
CS716 Advanced Computer Networks Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
 
Semester No. 2
Course Code Title Category Sub Category Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS703 Advanced Operating Systems Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS719 Research Methodologies Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS706 Software Quality Assurance Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Software Engineering
CS718 Wireless Networks Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
CS726 Information Retrieval Techniques Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Databases
 
Semester No. 3
Course Code Title Category Sub Category Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS704 Advanced Computer Architecture-II Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS720 Thesis Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
CS707 Network Security Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
CS709 Formal Methods for Software Engineering Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Software Engineering
CS710 Mobile and Pervasive Computing Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
CS711 Software Design Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Software Engineering
CS713 Object Oriented DBMS Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Databases
CS721 Network Performance Evaluation Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
CS723 Probability and Stochastic Processes Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Networks
CS724 Software Process Improvement Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Software Engineering
CS725 Data Mining Major Domain Electives Elective 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Databases
 
Semester No. 4
Course Code Title Category Sub Category Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS720 Thesis Major Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 


Pre-Requisite Courses List Show/Hide Pre-Requisite Courses List


>