Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a thesis and non-thesis option for the degree the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science (M.S.C.S.). 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 program 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.

Core Requirements 9 hours

Successful completion of three core graduate-level courses is required.  For non-thesis option, students must make a grade of “B” or higher in these core courses:

• COP 6611 Operating Systems (3)
• EEL 6764  Principles of Computer Architecture (3)
• COT 6405 Introduction to the Theory of Algorithms (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: 

• CAP 5400         Digital Image Processing (3)
• CDA 5416        Introduction to Computer-Aided Verification (3)
• CAP 5625         Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)
• CAP 5682         Expert and Intelligent Systems (3)
• CAP 5771         Data Mining (3)
• EEL 5771         Introduction to Computer Graphics I (3)
• CNT 6215        Computer Networks (3)
• CAP 6415        Computer Vision (3)
• CAP 6455         Advanced Robotic Systems (3)
• CAP 6615         Neural Networks (3)
• COP 6621        Programming Languages and Translation (3)
• EEL 6706         Testing and Fault Tolerance in Digital Systems (3)
• CAP 6736         Geometric Modeling (3)
• EEL 6766         Advanced Computer Architecture (3)
• CIS 6900          Independent Study (1-19)
• CIS 6930          Special Topics (1-5)
• CIS 6940          Graduate Instruction Methods (1-4)
• CIS 6946          Internships/Practicums/Clinical Practice (0-3)
• CIS 6971          Thesis: Master’s (2-19)

Thesis Option

The thesis option requires the completion of 24 credit hours of CSE graduate-level courses (9 credit hours of core courses and 15 hours of electives) and 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.  With prior permission from the Graduate Program Director, students can take a maximum of 3 hours of Independent Study or Internship, a maximum of 3 hours of one-hour seminar courses, and up to one graduate level course (3 credit hours) outside of the department.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours, with 9 credit hours of core courses and 21 hours of electives.  At least 16 credit hours must be at the 6000 level. At least 6 hours of electives should be 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. With prior permission from the Graduate Program Director, students can take a maximum of 3 hours of Independent Study or Internship, a maximum of 3 hours of one-hour seminar courses, and up to one graduate level course (3 credit hours) outside of the department.

Graduation Requirements

For the thesis option, students must defend and pass the thesis and have a GPA of 3.0 or better. Non-Thesis Option students must obtain a letter “B” or better in the core graduate courses and have a GPA of 3.0 or better.

• The GRE is required for all Ph.D. and M.S. 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 M.S. program and later decides to join the Ph.D. program, the GRE requirement must be met by the candidate as part of the application process. The GRE will be waived for M.S. degree applicants with an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited United States university.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of "B" (or equivalent) for all coursework completed during the last two years of undergraduate program.
• 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 earned a college degree from an institution whose language of instruction is English, (must be noted on the transcript).
  • Has scored 6.5 on International English Language Testing System, (IELTS).
• Three 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 Program 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.

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 program 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.

For teaching assistantship consideration, applicants from non-English-speaking countries must take and pass the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL with a score of 26 or above.

Scholarships

• Graduate Assistantships