Master of Science in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a program of graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in Computer Science. Program strengths include the unique blend of faculty expertise, the well-equipped laboratory facilities, and the balance of theory, practice, hardware, and software. Degree requirements concentrate in the areas of theory and applications of computing. Courses for the program are offered in the late afternoon and evening hours to serve the educational needs of practicing computer professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for a Master's Degree in Computer Science?

What are the requirements for a Master's Degree in Computer Science?

Students must complete a total of forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours in computer science and computer engineering (CS/CEG).

Do I have to write a thesis?

Do I have to write a thesis?

Our Master's program offers both thesis and non-thesis options.

Thesis Option

The thesis option requires satisfactory completion of a master's thesis within a program of study consisting of 48 graduate credit hours in CS/CEG courses at least twenty (20) hours of which are formal CS/CEG coursework at the 700/800 level, including the Computer Science Core and no more than twelve (12) hours total of independent study and thesis work. This option requires satisfactory completion of a master's thesis.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option requires a larger number of credit hours be earned through formal coursework. This coursework consists of at least thirty-two (32) hours of formal CS/CEG coursework at the 700/800 level, including the Computer Science Core and no more than four (4) hours of independent study work.

What are the Computer Science Core courses?

What are the Computer Science Core courses?

  • CS 701 Database Systems and Design
  • CS 740 Computational Complexity
  • CS 784 Programming Languages
  • CEG 730 Distributed Computing Principles

Are there any restrictions to the courses I can take?

Are there any restrictions to the courses I can take?

All CS and CEG graduate courses listed in the catalog may be used to satisfy the 48 credit hour requirement, with the exception of CS 600 Data Structures and Algorithms and CEG 633 Operating Systems.

Will courses from other College of Engineering and Computer Science departments work towards my degree?

Will courses from other College of Engineering and Computer Science departments work towards my degree?

Other courses may be used to satisfy the requirements only if they are listed in a program of study that has been approved by the department prior to enrollment in the course.

How long do I have to complete my Master's degree?

How long do I have to complete my Master's degree?

Students must complete all the requirements for a master's degree within 7 years from the date the student matriculated. Courses older than 7 years cannot be used toward degree requirements.

What happens if I don't do well in one or more of my graduate courses?

What happens if I don't do well in one or more of my graduate courses?

A graduate student who receives 9 or more credit hours of grades C, D, F, X, or U in computer science or computer engineering graduate courses will be recommended to the Graduate School for dismissal at any time the student's CS/CEG graduate GPA (including the repeated courses) falls below 3.0.

Can I transfer credits from another institution?

Can I transfer credits from another institution?

A maximum of twelve (12) graduate credit hours may be transferred after admission to the program by petitioning the department Graduate Studies Committee.

How do I find out more information about admissions requirements?

How do I find out more information about admissions requirements?

Visit the Graduate Advising Center.