Computer Science

The Computer Science Department at UCSC offers both a master's program and a doctoral program in computer science.

The goal of the computer science programs is to help students develop into independent scholars who are prepared for productive careers in research, teaching, and industry. The master of science (M.S.) degree may be used as a terminal degree or as the first step toward the doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.). The graduate student-faculty ratio is seven to one, making it possible for students to receive individual attention and to pursue programs that fit their individual needs. The intellectual atmosphere is enriched by regular colloquia and seminars presented by eminent contributors to the field, many of whom are associated with other major universities and industrial research centers in Silicon Valley and the wider San Francisco Bay Area.

The Computer Science Department enjoys a close relationship with the Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering Departments, the Biomolecular Engineering Department, the Applied Mathematics and Statistics Department, Technology Management Department, and the new Computational Media Department.

Requirements for the Computer Science Master’s Degree: Project Track

Course Requirements

Each student is required to take 40 credits as follows:

• Computer Science 200, Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering, 3 credits
• Computer Science 201, Analysis of Algorithms, 5 credits
• Computer Science 203, Programming Languages, 5 credits
• Computer Science 296, Master's Project, 2 credits
• a base requirement in computer architecture must be met by taking Computer Engineering 110 (grade B or higher) or Computer Engineering 202. Computer Engineering 110 can be taken to meet the architecture requirement, however, the credits will not be counted toward graduation requirements
• one course each from three different breadth categories for a total of three courses (15 credits)—see www.cs.ucsc.edu/graduates/breadth/
• all remaining courses must be regular, 5-credit graduate courses from computer science; courses that do not count include all courses numbered 200, 280, 296, 297, and 299
• at least 25 credits must be in computer science
• upper-division undergraduate UCSC computer science courses may be taken to strengthen a student's preparation for graduate studies. At most, 10 credits of UCSC upper-division undergraduate computer science courses (other than CMPS 101) may be counted toward the degree requirements.
• with the exception of 200, 280, 296, 297, and 299, all graduate courses and upper-division courses must be taken for letter grade. Only courses with a letter grade of B- or higher can be counted towards the M.S. degree requirements.
• courses that are taken to satisfy an undergraduate degree requirement cannot be counted towards the M.S. degree requirements. Undergraduates who are in their senior year at UCSC and are taking computer science upper-division courses or computer science graduate courses that are beyond their undergraduate degree requirements can count those courses as part of their M.S. degree should they apply to the computer science M.S. program.
• courses from other institutions may be substituted for equivalent courses at UCSC (with the approval of the graduate director and graduate committee) but may not count toward the 40-credit requirement of the computer science M.S. degree. For example, a student may substitute an equivalent course for CMPS 201 but may not count that course toward the 40-credit requirement. As another example, a student may substitute an equivalent graduate course for CMPS 260 and count that as breadth but may not count that course toward the 40-credit requirement or as part of the 25 credits from computer science.

Each student must complete CMPS 200 in their first year.

Each student must complete CMPS 201 or a course to prepare the student for CMPS 201 in their first year, after which CMPS 201 should be completed by the end of the second year.

Each student must complete CMPS 203 or a course to prepare the student for CMPS 203 in their first year, after which CMPS 203 should be completed by the end of the second year.

Each student must complete Computer Engineering 110 or Computer Engineering 202 in their first year.

Project

Completion of a master's project is required for the master's degree. The M.S. project is a team-based project supervised by a faculty adviser and approved by a reading committee composed of two faculty members (one of whom is the faculty adviser). A team is made up of 3-5 members. In exceptional cases, an individual project may be possible. Projects can either be proposed by the team, or the team may bid on projects proposed by faculty members. It is also possible to have industry or government sponsored projects, in which case, the industry/government supervisor can be invited to be an optional 3rd member on the reading committee. In situations where multiple teams are bidding on a project, the project sponsor will decide on which team will work on the project. Project lifetimes are on the order of one to two quarters. It is expected that team members are enrolled in CMPS 296 (Master's Project) in at least one of the quarters. Over the course of the project, teams may be required to meet milestones, e.g. design and specification, implementation plan, checkpoints, etc.,  at a schedule arranged by the faculty adviser. For effective team management and member participation, evaluation strategies such as 360-Degree Reviews may be employed. The final project must be accepted by the review committee before the master of science degree is conferred.

Requirements for the Computer Science Master's Degree: Thesis Track

Course Requirements

Each student is required to take 43 credits as follows:

• Computer Science 200, Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering, 3 credits;
• Computer Science 201, Analysis of Algorithms, 5 credits;
• Computer Science 203, Programming Languages, 5 credits;
• Computer Science 299, Thesis Research, 5 credits;
• a base requirement in computer architecture must be met by taking Computer Engineering 110 (grade B or higher) or Computer Engineering 202. Computer Engineering 110 can be taken to meet the architecture requirement, however, the credits will not be counted toward graduation requirements;
• one course each from three different breadth categories for a total of three courses (15 credits) —see www.cs.ucsc.edu/graduates/breadth/
• all remaining courses must be regular, 5-credit graduate courses from computer science courses that do not count include all courses numbered 200, 280, 296, 297, and 299
• at least 25 credits must be in computer science
• upper-division undergraduate UCSC computer science courses may be taken to strengthen a student's preparation for graduate studies. At most, 10 credits of UCSC upper-division undergraduate computer science courses (other than CMPS 101) may be counted toward the degree requirements.
• with the exception of 200, 280, 296, 297, and 299, all graduate courses and upper-division courses must be taken for letter grade. Only courses with a letter grade of B- or higher can be counted toward the M.S. degree requirements.
• courses that are taken to satisfy an undergraduate degree requirement cannot be counted toward the M.S. degree requirements. Undergraduates who are in their senior year at UCSC and are taking computer science upper-division courses or computer science graduate courses that are beyond their undergraduate degree requirements can count those courses as part of their M.S. degree should they apply to the computer science M.S. program.
• courses from other institutions may be substituted for equivalent courses at UCSC (with the approval of the graduate director and graduate committee) but may not count towards the 40-credit requirement of the computer science M.S. degree. For example, a student may substitute an equivalent course for CMPS201 but may not count that course towards the 40-credit requirement. As another example, a student may substitute an equivalent graduate course for CMPS2 60 and count that as breadth but may not count that course toward the 40-credit requirement or as part of the 25 credits from CMPS

Each student must complete CMPS 200 in their first year.

Each student must complete CMPS 201 or a course to prepare the student for CMPS 201 in their first year, after which CMPS 201 should be completed by the end of the second year.

Each student must complete CMPS 203 or a course to prepare the student for CMPS 203 in their first year, after which CMPS 203 should be completed by the end of the second year.

Each student must complete Computer Engineering 110 or Computer Engineering 202 in their first year.

Thesis

Completion of a master's thesis is required for the master's degree. To fulfill this requirement, the student submits a written proposal to a faculty member, usually by the third academic quarter. By accepting the proposal, the faculty member becomes the thesis adviser. In consultation with the adviser, the student forms a master's thesis reading committee with at least two additional faculty members, each of whom is provided a copy of the proposal. The student presents an expository talk on the thesis research, and the final thesis must be accepted by the review committee before the award of the master of science degree.

Requirements

• Transcripts. You may upload a scanned copy of your unofficial transcripts to your online application, or send official copies to the Graduate Application Processing address
• Statement of Purpose. Recommended length is a concise 2-4 pages, single-spaced.
• The Personal History Statement is required of all applicants.This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.
• A résumé is required for some applications and optional for others.
• All recommendation letters are required to be submitted electronically through the online application.  You must register a minimum of three recommenders, and as many as five, via the Recommendations page of the online application.
• The application fee for the 2016-17 academic year is $105 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants. This fee can be paid by credit card or e-check (the e-check option is only available if you have a U.S. bank account). 
• Official GRE scores must be sent from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to UC Santa Cruz, School Code 4860 (no department code necessary).  Official scores must be received prior to the application deadline.
• If you are a non-native English speaker you will be required to take an English language competency exam.  UC Santa Cruz accepts the TOEFL or IELTS test.  Official scores must also be sent from the testing service to UC Santa Cruz, School Code 4860

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Scholarships

• Regents Fellowships. A limited number of these fellowships are awarded to first-year graduate students in master's and doctoral programs. These awards provide a stipend and/or payment of university fees except non-resident tuition.
• Global Education