Graduate
Masters of Science in Computer Science Catalog
DEGREE INFORMATION
Priority Admission Application Deadlines
Fall: February 15
Spring: October 15
Summer: No admit
International applicant deadlines
Minimum Total Hours: 30 thesis; 30 non-thesis
Level: Masters
CIP Code: 11.0701
Dept. Code: ESB
Major/College Codes: ECC EN
Approved: 1960
Also offered as an Accelerated Degree Program
Computer Engineering (BSCP) / Computer Science (MSCS)
CONTACT INFORMATION
College: Engineering
Department: Computer Science and Engineering
Contact Information
MAJOR INFORMATION
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a thesis and non-thesis option for the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS). The thesis option requires students to pursue a more concentrated range of topics. The non-thesis option offers students some experience in many areas of computer science. There is considerable freedom in the choice of the courses.
The breadth of subjects which are part of computer science together with the immense diversity of its applications, make it imperative that students in the Master's major maintain close contact with the Graduate Program Director, or, if choosing the thesis option, with their major professor in order to achieve a coherent plan of study directed towards a specific goal. In particular, election of courses should only be made with prior consultation and approval of the Major Professor or the Graduate Program Director.
Major Research Areas
An excellent selection of courses and laboratories support graduate studies in algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, computer architecture, graphics, networks, computer vision, distributed systems, embedded systems, expert systems, formal verification, image processing, pattern recognition, robotics, databases, software engineering, computer security, compilers, programming languages, and VLSI design and CAD.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Must meet University requirements (see Graduate Admissions) as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.
- The GRE is required for all PhD and MS applicants. The median GRE scores of recently admitted students include 770 on the Quantitative portion and a Verbal Total of 450. For GRE tests taken after August 1, we require a minimum of 161 on the Quantitative portion (81 percentile) and a minimum of 150 (44 percentile) on the Verbal. If a candidate is admitted to the MS major and later decides to join the PhD major, the GRE requirement must be met by the candidate as part of the application process. The GRE will be waived for MS degree applicants with an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited United States program.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of "B" (or equivalent) for all coursework completed during the last two (2) years of undergraduate major.
- Submission of TOEFL scores with an Internet-based score of 79 or higher for applicants
from non-English speaking countries. If consideration of an assistantship is desired,
the speaking score component of the TOEFL must be 26 or above, The TOEFL requirements
may be waived if the applicant meets one of the following conditions:
- Has scored 500 or higher on the GRE Verbal Test (Old Scores) or 153 with the New GRE scoring.
- Has earned a college degree at a U.S. institution of higher learning.
- Has scored 6.5 on International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Statement of purpose.
- The applicant must also have mathematical preparation equivalent to that obtained from courses in Calculus through Differential Equations; knowledge of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, including logic design, computer architecture, data structure, operating systems and algorithms. The majority of students accepted to the Major possess an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics. However, students who hold an undergraduate degree in a related field are encouraged to apply.
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
Total Minimum Hours: 30 hours
Core Requirements Hours: 9 hours
Successful completion of three (3) core graduate-level courses is required.
| COP 6611 Operating Systems | 3 |
| COT 6405 Introduction to the Theory of Algorithms | 3 |
| EEL 6764 Principles of Computer Architecture | 3 |
Electives
Thesis option students must select at least 15 hours and non-thesis option students must select at least 21 hours from the list of available graduate elective courses below in consultation with the Graduate Program Director or individual advisor. Non-thesis students need to take a minimum of six (6) credits from the list of electives that are software related.
| CAP 5400 Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| CAP 5625 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CAP 5771 Data Mining | 3 |
| CAP 6415 Computer Vision | 3 |
| CAP 6455 Advanced Robotic Systems | 3 |
| CAP 6615 Neural Networks | 3 |
| CAP 6736 Geometric Modeling | 3 |
| CDA 5416 Computer System Verification | 3 |
| COP 6621 Programming Languages and Translation | 3 |
| CNT 6215 Computer Networks | 3 |
| EEL 5771 Introduction to Computer Graphics I | 3 |
| EEL 6706 Testing and Fault Tolerance in Digital Systems | 3 |
| CIS 6930 Special Topics | 1-5 |
| CIS 6940 Graduate Instruction Methods | 1-4 |
| CIS 6946 Internships/Practicums/Clinical Practice | 0-3 |
With prior permission from the Graduate Program Director, students can take a maximum of three (3) hours of Independent Study or Internship, a maximum of three (3) hours of one-hour seminar courses, and up to one (1) graduate level course (three (3) credit hours) outside of the Department.
Thesis Option
| CIS 6971 Thesis: Master's | 2-19 |
The thesis option requires the completion of 24 credit hours of CSE graduate-level courses (nine (9) credit hours of core courses and 15 hours of electives) and six (6) credit hours of thesis in computer science related problems, as determined by the Major Professor and documented in the Plan of Work. At least 16 credit hours must be at the 6000 level.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours, with nine (9) credit hours of core courses and 21 hours of graduate level electives. At least 16 credit hours must be at the 6000 level. At least six (6) hours of electives should be taken from the list of electives that are software related in the following topic areas: advanced algorithms, compilers, databases, parallel computing and distributed systems, computer security, data mining, machine learning, programming languages, or software engineering, as determined by the Graduate Program Director and documented in the Plan of Work.
Comprehensive Exam
For students taking the thesis option, the requirement for a comprehensive exam is satisfied by the successful completion of the thesis. For non-thesis option students, the requirement for a comprehensive exam is satisfied by the successful completion of a comprehensive exam that students will take in the semester prior to the semester in which the students intends to graduate.
Graduation Requirements
For the thesis option, students must defend and pass the thesis and have a GPA of 3.00 or better. Non-Thesis Option students must pass the Comprehensive Exam, obtain a letter "B" or better in the core graduate courses and have a GPA of 3.00 or better. No Grade below "C" will be accepted in a graduate major. If a student's average falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on probation.