The M.S. program in Computer Science requires 30 credit hours of work. Students may select a non-thesis option or a thesis-option, which requires a 9-credit thesis. Each student should carefully weigh the pros and cons of these alternatives in consultation with his or her advisor prior to selecting an option, typically in the second year of study. The department will allow a student to change options only once. All entering students must submit a plan of study identifying the courses to be taken. The plan of study must be approved by the student’s advisor and the CS Graduate Coordinator, and must include the following minimum requirements:
1. Computer Science Breadth Requirement (12 credits)
M.S. students are required to achieve a passing grade in courses from four different bins, including at least three essential bins. The eleven bins are listed below, together with their corresponding courses.
Essential Bins (9 credits)
Breadth Bins (3 credits)
Courses with a 5000 number (e.g., 5003, 5084) are preparatory courses, designed specifically for students with insufficient background knowledge or skills. Graduate credit can be earned for these course and M.S. students may use them to satisfy bin requirements. However, students with a solid undergraduate degree in CS are strongly encouraged to take more advanced courses within the bins.
Note: B.S./M.S. students may satisfy this breadth requirement with fewer than 12 credits because of the credit conversion rate.
2. Computer Science Electives (18 credits)
M.S. students must complete sufficient course work selected from CS courses at the 500-level or independent study. With the permission of the academic advisor, a student may take a total of at most six graduate credits from outside of Computer Science towards the M.S. degree. Courses in college teaching may not be counted towards the 30 credits required for a CS Master’s degree.
Thesis Option
A thesis consisting of a research or development project worth a minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed and presented to the faculty. A thesis proposal must be approved by the department by the end of the semester in which a student has registered for a third thesis credit. Proposals will be considered only at regularly scheduled department meetings.
Students funded by a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship must complete the thesis option.
Non-thesis Option
A total of at least 30 credit hours must be satisfactorily completed, including four courses which satisfy the Breadth Requirement. Students should endeavor to take these four courses as early as possible so as to provide the background for the remaining graduate work.
The non-thesis option is not applicable to students funded by a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship.