University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The Applied Computer Science master’s combines foundational core topics with flexible electives and a substantial applied capstone or project. Typical core subjects include advanced data structures and algorithms, operating systems and distributed systems, software engineering and software architecture, and principles of databases. Students then tailor their learning through elective modules in areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, data analytics and big data, cloud and edge computing, cybersecurity, human–computer interaction, computer graphics and vision, robotics and embedded systems.

• Core coursework: algorithms, systems, software engineering, databases and theory fundamentals.
• Electives: machine learning, data mining, advanced databases, cloud computing, security, HCI, graphics, networking, parallel and high-performance computing.
• Applied experience: a capstone project, practicum or industry internship that integrates technical skills with software development practices and project management.
• Project options: semester-long team projects, industry-sponsored assignments or independent applied research supervised by faculty.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a closely related discipline. Candidates with degrees in other quantitative fields may be considered if they demonstrate sufficient programming and mathematical preparation.

• Academic record: undergraduate transcripts showing strong performance in relevant coursework.
• Prerequisites: coursework or demonstrable competency in programming, data structures, discrete mathematics and calculus. Additional foundation courses may be required for candidates from non-CS backgrounds.
• Supporting documents: a statement of purpose, current résumé or CV, and letters of recommendation. International applicants must also meet the university’s English language requirements.
• Standardised tests: the programme follows the department and university policy regarding tests such as the GRE; check current admissions guidance for whether they are required or optional.

Career prospects

Graduates move into professional roles that demand practical, production-ready computing skills. Common destinations include software development teams, data science and analytics groups, machine learning engineering roles, systems and cloud engineering, cybersecurity and infrastructure, and product-focused technical roles. The applied nature of the degree also prepares graduates for technical consultant positions, start-up engineering roles and for continuing to industry-oriented research positions.

• Software engineer / full-stack developer
• Data scientist / data engineer
• Machine learning engineer / AI developer
• Systems engineer / cloud architect
• Security analyst / security engineer
• Technical product manager / engineering consultant

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder combines a research-active computer science department with strong industry engagement in the Boulder–Denver technology corridor. Students benefit from faculty who work across applied areas such as machine learning, systems, networking, graphics and robotics, plus interdisciplinary collaborations with institutes and centres on campus. The location offers frequent opportunities for internships, industry projects and networking with established companies and local start-ups, while on-campus resources support entrepreneurship, career development and applied research.

The programme’s balance of core theory, hands-on coursework and an applied capstone is designed to help graduates move quickly into technical roles that require both deep technical knowledge and the ability to deliver software systems in real-world settings.