Computer Science, M.S.

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Program Requirements

The degree program for the Master of Science with a major in Computer Science is a non-thesis course of study. Students must complete a 15 hour core consisting of:

Note:

Any course in the core may be replaced with a graduate elective course if the student has completed an equivalent upper level undergraduate course with a grade of B or better. Equivalency of course content will be determined by the graduate program coordinator.

Select 36 or 39 credit hour option

Each candidate must choose one of the following options:

36 credit hour - Complete 21 additional hours of graduate computer science course work, excluding CMPS 5013 - Fundamentals of Computer Architecture , CMPS 5016 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming , CMPS 5773 - Graduate Internship in Computer Science , and write a substantial file paper meeting guidelines established by the college. Three credit hours of CMPS 6901 - Independent Graduate Study in Computer Science (one hour in each of three semesters) may be taken in support of a file paper. The student’s first enrollment in CMPS 6901 will be established by the student’s research advisor in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
39 credit hour - Complete 24 additional hours of graduate computer science course work, exclusive of CMPS 6901 - Independent Graduate Study in Computer Science , CMPS 5013 - Fundamentals of Computer Architecture , CMPS 5016 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming , and CMPS 5773 - Graduate Internship in Computer Science .

A maximum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate courses may be taken for graduate credit with approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

Final Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination is required of all degree candidates. A student must be enrolled in at least one graduate computer science course to be eligible to take the comprehensive exam. Exam results will be reported to the Office of the Registrar only if the student remains enrolled in the course for the semester. This examination consists of a written and oral section. The written section will evaluate the student knowledge on the five core disciplines. A satisfactory score in all five subjects will grant a waiver of the oral section. A failure on three or more core subjects will result in a non-passing decision. Any other score will require the student to take an oral exam in the failed disciplines. If unsuccessful in the examination, the student must wait to retake the examination in the next regular semester. A student who fails the exam twice will be dismissed from the program.