M.E.

Computer Science in Information Security with B.Sc. Input



Offered at: Pilani

Empowering Innovators in Cybersecurity and Information Systems


The M.E. in Computer Science with a specialisation in Information Security at BITS Pilani prepares students to become leaders in cyber-security, cryptography, network defence and secure systems design. Through a rigorous curriculum, students engage in hands-on research, real-world security challenges and interdisciplinary projects spanning threat analysis, ethical hacking, data protection and compliance frameworks. The programme emphasises global standards of security, privacy and quality, equipping graduates to pursue careers in security engineering, risk management, government agencies and technology firms worldwide. With BITS Pilani’s legacy of innovation and academic excellence, students emerge as well-rounded professionals ready to safeguard tomorrow’s digital enterprise.


Design a Degree That Works for You


At BITS Pilani, your academic path is not Linear. It allow you to customise your learning path
according to your aspirations, goals and interest.

The structure of degree programmes and academic regulations also provides certain other flexibilities like choice of electives, number of electives, repetition of courses, departure from normal pace, withdrawal from or substitution of course(s), etc.

Students interested in exploring courses beyond the scope of their curriculum can opt to audit them. This option is for casual learners who are not enrolled in a degree programme.Courses such as Foreign Languages and Music are offered in addition to the core degree programmes. Students may take these courses on an audit basis, subject to the payment of additional fees.

High-performing students may transfer to:


Higher Degree or Ph.D. programmes


Between Ph.D. and Higher Degree levels (based on academic standing). This flexibility supports seamless progression for research-driven students.

One of the most popular flexibilities offered by our educational structure is the dual degree scheme, under which students concurrently work towards completing two integrated first degrees within a reasonable timeframe. All students admitted to Group B programmes are also eligible to work under this scheme for one of the Group A programmes. Assignments to programmes are made based on individual performance during the first year.


In the assignment of dual degrees, first priority is given to students in Group B seeking a second degree under this scheme from among the programmes in Group A. After fully satisfying the known needs of the first priority, a second operation is done to consider the other priority, namely, students in any group seeking a second degree from amongst the programmes in another group. While it would be academically and procedurally acceptable for a student admitted to Group A or B programmes to seek a second degree in Group C in the dual degree scheme, the reverse process is not normally possible. However, a student admitted to Group C will be eligible to compete for a dual degree in any degree in Group C, or any degree in Group B or MMS, but only in Group A.

Practice School
The Original Experiential Learning Model


The Practice School Programme is a hallmark of BITS Pilani’s experiential learning approach. It provides students with an opportunity to practice what they have learnt in global organisations under the supervision of a mentor. Students work on cutting-edge technologies and have the option to practice in their discipline of study or cross-disciplinary areas. In addition to providing students with an opportunity to play roles that require multifunctional skills, this flagship programme also offers many students the chance to secure a PPO.

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Practice School-I

Practice School I is an eight-week course conducted during the summer term after the second year of study. Students are stationed in an organisation during this programme, and after a comprehensive orientation, students largely learn through observation and work on group projects, under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts and a faculty member from BITS. This not only serves as a first exposure for students to the corporate world but also helps nurture their personality traits, communication, and presentation skills.

Practice School-II

Practice School-II offered in the final year of study is a TWENTY-TWO-week full-time program. First-degree students in their final year of study can register for this program either during the first semester or the second semester, and Dual-Degree students can register for a double-semester PS-II program. For higher degree students, the course is titled Practice School, and such students can register for it in their final semester of study.

Practice School Process

Practice School I is an eight-week course conducted during the summer term after the second year of study. Students are stationed in an organisation during this programme, and after a comprehensive orientation, students largely learn through observation and work on group projects, under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts and a faculty member from BITS. This not only serves as a first exposure for students to the corporate world but also helps nurture their personality traits, communication, and presentation skills.

Programme Structure

Focus: Building core knowledge in programming, mathematics, communication, and fundamental computer science concepts.

Courses :

Semester 1

  • CS F111 – Computer Programming
  • CS F215 – Digital Design
  • BITS F437 – Technical Communication
  • MATH F113 – Probability and Statistics
  • MATH F231 – Number Theory
  • CS F222 – Discrete Structures for Computer Science

Semester 2

  • MATH F212 – Optimization
  • BITS F463 – Cryptography
  • IS F242 – Computer Organizatio
  • CS F211 – Data Structures & Algorithms
  • MGTS F211 – Principles of Management
  • BITS F345 – Information Law and Cyber Law

Summer Term :

  • CS F404 – Computer Crime and Forensics
  • CS F213 – Object Oriented Programming
  • CS F468 – Information Security Project

Focus: Strengthening theoretical foundations, software systems expertise, and security-focused computing.

Courses :

Semester 1

  • Theory of Computation
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Engineering
  • Advanced Computer Architecture
  • Principles of Programming Languages
  • Computer Networks
  • Database Systems
  • Network and System Security
  • Design and Analysis of Algorithms
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Electives

Summer Term :

  • Secure Software Engineering
  • Information Security Project

Focus: Mastering advanced computing domains and gaining hands-on industry or research experience.

Courses :

Semester 1

  • Advanced Operating Systems
  • Advanced Computer Networks
  • Advanced Algorithms and Complexity
  • Research Practice
  • Elective

Semester 2

  • Practice School
  • Dissertation

Experts Who Bridge Cutting-Edge Cyber
Research & Real-World Practice

A Michael Alphonse


Associate Professor (Off Campus),


Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, BITS Pilani

Abhishek Mishra


Assistant Professor,


Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Akanksha Bharadwaj


Assistant Professor (Off Campus),


Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, BITS Pilani

Admissions: Everything You Need to Know


Students work hand-on in specialised, fully equipped facilities.

Admission Process

Eligibility Criteria

Fees & Refund Policy

Scholarship

Education Loan

Important Dates

You Asked.
We Answered.

This master’s at BITS Pilani builds depth in information security across secure systems, networks and software, combining strong theory with hands-on labs and project work.

It runs for two years (four semesters) at BITS Pilani—three semesters of advanced coursework followed by a full-time final semester as either Practice School (PS-II) or a Dissertation.

At BITS Pilani, you’ll study topics such as network/application security, secure communication and systems/OS security and apply them in dedicated security and distributed-systems labs.

It signals an intake pathway BITS Pilani offers for eligible B.Sc. graduates (e.g., B.Sc. in Computer Science) into this M.E. programme, with admissions handled through the Higher Degree process each cycle.

BITS Pilani requires a minimum 60% in the qualifying degree. Selection is merit-based via the BITS HD admission test and/or a valid GATE score, as notified for the year.

The programme is listed under the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at BITS Pilani across the Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa and Hyderabad campuses.

Yes- BITS Pilani’s Distributed Systems & Information Security Lab has you implement secure client–server communication with OpenSSL on Linux, build RPC/RMI systems, clocks and distributed schedulers.

In the final semester, BITS Pilani offers PS-II—a 5.5–6 month, full-time, credit-bearing industry assignment with defined outcomes and mentoring; you can alternatively choose a research Dissertation.

BITS Pilani runs an institute-wide placement process with strong recruiter participation; recent institute highlights include 200+ summer internships and 250+ PPOs across programmes.

Graduates from BITS Pilani move into roles like security engineer, SOC analyst, penetration tester, secure-systems/DevSecOps engineer and related research/industry roles in CSIS focus areas.

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