MS | Significant Software Implementation

Overview

To complete an MS CS degree, students must demonstrate the ability to do substantial software development as part of their coursework. To satisfy the Significant Implementation (SI) requirement, students complete a course designated as satisfying the SI requirement. This course will be one of the courses taken to satisfy some other program requirement (i.e., Breadth, Depth, or Elective). The SI requirement must be satisfied by coursework at Stanford and cannot be waived by coursework elsewhere. The SI course must be taken for a letter grade. 

Approved Significant Implementation courses: You can find the current list of SI courses on the MS program sheets, or in the Stanford Bulletin in the Core Requirements section.

Coterm students must have the SI course on their graduate transcripts. The only exceptions are for Coterm students who completed two courses with the SI designation as part of their undergraduate programs; in that case, they can leave both SI courses on their undergraduate transcripts and select “two courses in undergraduate Stanford degree” on their online program sheet in the drop-down menu.

Exceptions: Courses may only count when Significant Software Implementation is required from all students in the course. We frequently review courses for consideration. To request that a new course be considered, please fill out the MSCS Petitions Form and include your request and justification. The MSCS team will reach out once your submission has been reviewed.