Is it weird to have a one-year, master's level "general studies" program? I am a recent grad &amp; my main goal is to do a Ph.D. in Computer Science, but I have some interest in math and physics.
I recently found this Masters in Science program offered by a very reputable university in the US. It looks nice to me because I get to do a Masters to strengthen up my PhD app and also take classes in other topics that I want to learn but didn't have the time for in undergrad (like quantum, analysis, topology, etc.). But, it seems a little weird to me:

It is only one year. Most universities have master's programs that take 2 years.
If I understand correctly, you can take a random array of classes. This seems kind of ridiculous to me (even though it's what I want).  I never knew that there existed these general-studies-like Masters programs.

Am I correct to find this weird? Is this program comparable to other 2-year degree-specific Masters? Would completing this program help me get into graduate school for computer science?
Unless you have some weakness in your undergraduate record, I doubt that this program or another masters will &quot;strengthen up&quot; your PhD application. Most US students apply for doctoral studies immediately after the BS.
And doing it now, rather than later, will give you experience at the doctoral institution with faculty contacts, etc, that can build up your reputation there.
And most doctoral programs will have coursework first, though not &quot;random&quot; courses. Do it now.
I'll guess that most of the students in such a program are not in preparation for a doctorate, but seeking a terminal MS for some purpose.

Note that outside the US, the situation is often very different with an MS required for doctoral study in some situations. Not so the US, however.