Master of Science in Software Development | BU MET
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Are You Ready to Lead a Software Development Team to Success?
Available online and on campus, the Master of Science in Software Development (MSSD) at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) prepares you with the essential skillset to succeed in one of the fastest-growing professions: software developer—ranked the #1 Best Technology Job in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report.
Program at a Glance
- Top 10 Online Program
- Online and On Campus
- Part-Time or Full-Time Study
- 32 Credits
- 8–16 Months to Completion
- 17 Core Faculty
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $27,320
*Based on 2022–2023 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Software Development
As one of the only software development master’s degree programs in the United States, the MS in Software Development at BU MET is ideal for those who enjoy programming and seek to create software in an interactive process that involves multiple stakeholders. The program is open to students of all backgrounds—all you need is a bachelor’s degree in any field.
The MSSD curriculum will provide you with a thorough understanding of the latest requirements and needs for software across diverse industries, and ensure that you are ready to deliver secure, reliable software products—as part of an agile software team or leading it.
#10, Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.
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Computer Science Career Outlook
Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.
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“Almost everything I learned during my coursework at BU has been useful at one point or another…A lot of the courses I took gave me the option to develop some sort of web application as a project, which was great exposure that I still refer back to in my current job…my professors and the coursework really did prepare me for the industry and helped me mature as a software developer.”—Diego Lopez, MS in Software Development (MET’20), Software Developer at MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Why BU’s Software Development is Ranked in the Top 10
Master the Tools to Excel in Software Development
Offered through BU MET’s Department of Computer Science, the Master of Science in Software Development (MSSD) curriculum prepares graduates to take on evolving career paths in the field, dramatically improve coding capabilities while also developing a foundation for those who want to move into the management of agile development teams.
Led by faculty with abundant industry experience, the MSSD is informed by real-world case studies and projects that meet the ubiquitous, and growing, need for new software. Through hands-on, project-based experience, students will finish the master’s program with an advanced portfolio of software projects.
Graduates can progress into a variety of career paths in fields such as:
- Healthcare—analyzing patient data as well as managing and scheduling resources in hospitals
- Business and finance—analyzing trends through mathematical analysis for big data reduction and creating more efficient systems
- Information security—developing systems that are properly tested to reduce vulnerabilities
- Defense—developing command and control systems
Graduate with Expertise
Metropolitan College’s Software Development master’s degree will equip you with:
- Advanced knowledge of computer language theory, software design, as well as databases, networks, or security.
- Proficiency in algorithms, operating systems, computer language usage, software development, and the management of data, networks, or security.
- Competence sufficient to investigate continually emerging new software technologies, applications, and approaches.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. The graduate certificates in Information Technology, IT Project Management, Software Engineering, and Web Application Development each share specific courses with the master’s in Software Development program, giving you the option to take one or two certificates on your path to a master’s degree. To be eligible for the degree, you must apply for admission and be accepted into the degree program. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at [email protected] to learn more about this option.
Master’s in Software Development Curriculum
A total of 32 credits is required.
Core Courses
A total of 32 credits is required.
(Five courses/20 credits)
MET CS 521
Information Structures with Python
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
This course covers the concepts of the object-oriented approach to software design and development using Python. It includes a detailed discussion of programming concepts starting with the fundamentals of data types, control structures methods, classes, arrays and strings, and proceeding to advanced topics such as inheritance and polymorphism, creating user interfaces, exceptions and streams. Upon completion of this course students will be able to apply software engineering principles to design and implement Python applications that can be used in with analytics and big data. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking.
Prerequisite: Programming experience in any language. Or Instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity/Innovation
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Lu
FLR 152
T
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Zhang
ROOM
ARR
–
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Pinsky
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Lu
EPC 208
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Pinsky
CAS 213
W
8:00 am – 10:45 am
A3
IND
Orsini
CAS 237
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A4
IND
Michelson
KCB 107
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Zhang
ROOM
ARR
–
O2
IND
Burstein
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 526
Data Structures and Algorithms
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
This course covers and relates fundamental components of programs. Students use various data structures to solve computational problems, and implement data structures using a high-level programming language. Algorithms are created, decomposed, and expressed as pseudocode. The running time of various algorithms and their computational complexity are analyzed. Prerequisite: MET CS300 and either MET CS520 or MET CS521, or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Raghu
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Lee
CAS 201
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Raghu
ROOM
ARR
–
O2
IND
Raghu
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 622
Advanced Programming Techniques
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Polymorphism, containers, libraries, method specifications, large-scale code management, use of exceptions, concurrent programming, functional programming, programming tests. Java will be used to illustrate these concepts. Students will implement a project or projects of their own choosing, in Java, since some concepts are expressible only in Java. Prerequisite: MET CS 342 or equivalent knowledge of Java. Or MET CS 521 and MET CS 526. Or instructor’s consent. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity/Innovation
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO1
IND
Braude
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Rawassizadeh
CAS 326
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CS 665
Software Design and Patterns
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Software design principles, the object-oriented paradigm, unified modeling language; creational, structural, and behavioral design patterns; OO analysis and design; implementation of semester project. Laboratory course. Prereq: (MET CS 526 or MET CS 622) and one of the following (MET CS 341, MET CS 342, MET CS 520, or MET CS 521). Or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Kalathur
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Orsini
PSY B53
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
Plus one of the following:
MET CS 673
Software Engineering
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Overview of techniques and tools to develop high quality software. Topics include software development life cycle such as Agile and DevOps, requirements analysis, software design, programming techniques, refactoring, testing, as well as software management issues. This course features a semester-long group project where students will design and develop a real world software system in groups using Agile methodology and various SE tools, including UML tools, project management tools, programming frameworks, unit and system testing tools , integration tools and version control tools.
Prereq: This is a capstone course to be taken after at least two programming intensive courses toward the end of a program of study. Familiarity with OO design concepts and proficiency in at least one high-level programming language is required. Or, Instructor’s consent. Familiarity with web or mobile application development preferred.
Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration. [ 4 cr. ]
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Digital/Multimedia Expression
- Teamwork/Collaboration
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Elentukh
FLR 152
R
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Zhang
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Zhang
CAS 213
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Zhang
ROOM
ARR
–
Prereq: This is a capstone course to be taken after at least two programming intensive courses toward the end of a program of study. Familiarity with OO design concepts and proficiency in at least one high-level programming language is required. Or, Instructor’s consent. Familiarity with web or mobile application development preferred.Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CS 682
Information Systems Analysis and Design
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Object-oriented methods of information systems analysis and design for organizations with data- processing needs. System feasibility; requirements analysis; database utilization; Unified Modeling Language; software system architecture, design, and implementation, management; project control; and systems-level testing. Prerequisite: Basic programming knowledge or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Guadagno
SOC B63
R
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Polnar
ROOM
ARR
–
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Williams
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Guadagno
HAR 212
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Guadagno
FLR 152
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
E1
IND
Guadagno
FLR 152
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Williams
ROOM
ARR
–
O2
IND
Polnar
ROOM
ARR
–
Electives
(Three courses/12 credits)
When choosing electives, students should make sure that they have all prerequisites required by the selected course or, instructor’s consent. Choose three from the following list:
MET CS 601
Web Application Development
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
This course focuses on building core competencies in web design and development. It begins with a complete immersion into HTML essentially XHTML and Dynamic HTML (DHTML). Students are exposed to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), as well as Dynamic CSS. The fundamentals of JavaScript language including object-oriented JavaScript is covered comprehensively. AJAX with XML and JSON are covered, as they are the primary means to transfer data from client and server. Prereq: MET CS 200, MET CS 231, MET CS 232 or MET CS 300. Or instructor consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Sheehan
MCS B33
W
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Hur
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sheehan
CAS 203
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Looper
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 602
Server-Side Web Development
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
The Server-Side Web Development course concentrates primarily on building web applications using PHP/MySQL and Node.js/MongoDB. The course is divided into various modules covering in depth the following topics: PHP, MySQL, Object oriented PHP, PHP MVC, Secure Web applications, Node.js and MongoDB. Along with the fundamentals underlying these technologies, several applications will be showcased as case studies. Students work with these technologies starting with simple applications and then examining real world complex applications. At the end of this course, students would have mastered the web application development on the server-side. Prerequisite: MET CS 601. Or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Orsini
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sheehan
FLR 121
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CS 633
Software Quality, Testing, and Security Management
Fall ‘23
Theory and practice of security and quality assurance and testing for each step of the software development cycle. Verification vs. validation. Test case design techniques, test coverage criteria, security development and verification practices, and tools for static and dynamic analysis. Standards. Test-driven development. QA for maintenance and legacy applications. From a project management knowledge perspective, this course covers the methods, tools and techniques associated with the following processes — Plan Quality, Perform Quality Assurance, and Perform Quality Control. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Elentukh
FLR 123
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Elentukh
FLR 152
F
11:15 am – 2:00 pm
E1
IND
Elentukh
FLR 123
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CS 634
Agile Software Development
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the principles, processes, and practices of agile software development. Students learn techniques for initiating, planning and executing on software development projects using agile methodologies. Students will obtain practical knowledge of agile development frameworks and be able to distinguish between agile and traditional project management methodologies. Students will learn how to apply agile tools and techniques in the software development lifecycle from project ideation to deployment, including establishing an agile team environment, roles and responsibilities, communication and reporting methods, and embracing change. We also leverage the guidelines outlined by the Project Management Institute for agile project development as a framework in this course. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Heda
CAS 233
R
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Heda
BRB 122
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
St John
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 664
Artificial Intelligence
Fall ‘23
Study of the ideas and techniques that enable computers to behave intelligently. Search, constraint propagations, and reasoning. Knowledge representation, natural language, learning, question answering, inference, visual perception, and/or problem solving. Laboratory course. Prereq: MET CS 341, MET CS 342, MET CS 520 or MET CS 521. Or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Berry
KCB 102
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Braude
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 669
Database Design and Implementation for Business
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Students learn the latest relational and object-relational tools and techniques for persistent data and object modeling and management. Students gain extensive hands- on experience using Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server as they learn the Structured Query Language (SQL) and design and implement databases. Students design and implement a database system as a term project. Restrictions: This course may not be taken in conjunction with MET CS 469 (undergraduate) or MET CS 579. Only one of these courses can be counted towards degree requirements. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Matthews
FLR 152
W
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Mansur
ROOM
ARR
–
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Mansur
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Maiewski
CAS 201
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Russo
MCS B31
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A3
IND
Matthews
CAS 315
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
E1
IND
Matthews
CAS 315
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O1
IND
Mansur
ROOM
ARR
–
O2
IND
Mansur
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 677
Data Science with Python
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Students will learn major Python tools and techniques for data analysis. There are weekly assignments and mini projects on topics covered in class. These assignments will help build necessary statistical, visualization and other data science skills for effective use of data science in a variety of applications including finance, text processing, time series analysis and recommendation systems. In addition, students will choose a topic for a final project and present it on the last day of class. Prerequisite: MET CS 521 or equivalent. Or, instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Enxing
SOC B63
T
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Pinsky
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Pinsky
CAS 216
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Enxing
CAS 426
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A3
IND
Pinsky
CAS 216
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Liu
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 683
Mobile Application Development with Android
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
This course discusses the principles and issues associated with mobile application development using Android as the development platform. Topics covered will include Android application components (Activities, Services, Content Providers and Broadcast Receivers), ICC (Inter-component Communication), UI design, data storage, asynchronous processing, 2D graphics, and Android security. Students will develop their own apps in Java and/or Kotlin using Android Studio in their semester-long projects. Prior knowledge of Java programming is required. Prerequisite: MET CS 342 OR MET CS 520 OR MET CS 521. Or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum2 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SO2
IND
Russo
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
HAR 212
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
E1
IND
HAR 212
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET CS 701
Rich Internet Application Development
The Rich Internet Application (RIA) Development course concentrates primarily on building rich client web applications in the browser for desktop and mobile devices. The course is divided into various modules covering in depth the following technologies: HTML5, AngularJS, and Ionic framework. Along with the fundamentals underlying these technologies, several applications will be showcased as case studies. Students work with these technologies starting with simple applications and then examining real world complex applications. At the end of this course, students would have mastered the latest and widely used RIA methodologies. Course Prerequisites: METCS520 (Information Structures) and METCS601 (Web Application Development), or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CS 763
Secure Software Development
Fall ‘23
Overview of techniques and tools to develop secure software. Focus on the application security. Topics include secure software development processes, threat modeling, secure requirements and architectures, vulnerability and malware analysis using static code analysis and dynamic analysis tools, vulnerabilities in C/C++ and Java programs, Crypto and secure APIs, vulnerabilities in web applications and mobile applications, and security testing. Hands-on lab and programming exercises using current tools are provided and required. Prerequisite: At least two 500- level (or above) programming-intensive computer science courses; or instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O2
IND
Zhang
ROOM
ARR
–
MET CS 767
Advanced Machine Learning and Neural Networks
Summer ‘23
Fall ‘23
Formerly titled CS767 Machine Learning
Theories and methods for learning from data. The course covers a variety of approaches, including Supervised and Unsupervised Learning, Neural Nets and Deep Learning, Adversarial Learning, Bayesian Learning, and Genetic Algorithms. Each student focuses on two of these approaches and creates a term project. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: MET CS 521 and either MET CS 622, MET CS 673 or MET CS 682. MET CS 677 is strongly recommended. Or, instructor’s consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Sum1 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
SC1
IND
Alizadeh-Sha
CAS 324
W
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
SO1
IND
Alizadeh-Sha
ROOM
ARR
–
Fall 2023
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Djordjevic
CAS 324
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Rawassizadeh
MET 101
T
9:00 am – 11:45 am
O2
IND
Braude
ROOM
ARR
–
Students interested in taking electives outside of the stated requirements should contact the Department of Computer Science for approval.
Second Master’s Degree Option
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Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.
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