Computer Science

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) at Channel Islands (CI) offers education in cutting edge theory and practice. The program prepares students for careers in high-tech, computer and Internet-driven industries, businesses, education systems, military, and local and federal government where interdisciplinary, dynamic and innovative professionals trained in latest data analysis, security, and surveillance technologies are increasingly sought. Students are given a strong background in Computer Science and Mathematics, as well as practical skills necessary to develop industrial-grade systems as well as to conduct independent applied and theoretical research.

Admission Process

Students seeking admission are expected to have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Science, Engineering, or related fields. Candidates with undergraduate degrees from other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be conditionally accepted. The conditions will usually include taking a selection of foundation courses in Computer Science and Mathematics as prescribed by the admission committee.

The applicant is expected to have a 2.75 or higher cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA). A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended, but not required. Applicants with high GPA and strong support letters can still be admitted. Three letters of reference are required.

Foreign candidates should contact CI's Center for International Affairs to find out what are the additional requirements for international students.

The admission process is handled by the Admission Office of CI's Extended University. Please note that the Admission Office does not forward applications to the Computer Science Program until it receives all transcripts and supporting documentation. The program admission committee is not able to evaluate an application before receiving the file from the admission office.

The program director may grant up to 9 credits for graduate Computer Science courses taken at CSUCI outside of the MSCS program or from another university if:

the university is accredited,

the student scored B or better,

the course was taken in the last five years, and

the student provides an official transcript.

The actual number of credits assigned by the director of the program is determined by comparing the courses taken elsewhere to equivalent courses offered by CSUCI.

After enrolling into COMP597 Master Thesis, you will work with your supervisor until the supervisor decides that your research and the thesis document are ready for a defense before your thesis committee. You will go through numerous revisions of your work, as not only the core research, but also the presentation of the results is important. It is expected that your work will be publishable, so your supervisor may ask you to write a summary of the work in a form of a conference or journal paper. A paper is not a required element of your thesis, however.

After your supervisor instructs you to go ahead with the distribution of the thesis, you need to distribute the drafts to all members of the committee. At this time, your supervisor should schedule the defense giving the committee approximately one month to review your thesis.

For defense, you will have to prepare roughly one-hour presentation that will be open to the public. It should consist of the following segment as applicable:

introduction,

demonstration if available and feasible,

analysis of the results,

conclusions,

future,

Q&A.

After the presentation, in a session closed to public, the committee will ask some questions relevant to your thesis. Next, you will be asked to leave the room, so the committee can confer behind the closed door the overall quality of your thesis. After that relatively short meeting you will be asked to come back and the outome will be communicated to you by the chair of the committee. The possible outcomes of the defense are:

accept with no changes,

accept with minor changes,

accept with major changes,

reject.

If your work is accepted with no changes or with minor changes, and all other requirements for the graduation have been met, then you will be granted the title of Master of Science in Computer Science. A request for minor changes will be handled between you and your supervisor. If you are asked to make major changes to your work, then you will have to re-submit a revised copy of the thesis to the committee for another review. In such case, your degree will have to wait until the committee accepts the changes. If the committee rejects the thesis, you will have to select a new research topic and a supervisor, and repeat the whole process satisfying the continuous registration requirement.

All members of the examination committee must sign the acceptance form after the deliberations. Subsequently, the Dean of the Extended University must sign the acceptance form as well on behalf of the University. The chair of the examination committee must deliver the acceptance page to the Extended University Office.

To obtain the degree, an MS Computer Science student must:

complete minimum 32 units of graduate coursework including:

24 units of graduate coursework with at least 18 units designated as “COMP”; the remaining 6 units may be “COMP” or another graduate designation; e.g., “MATH” or “PHYS”; at least 15 units must be taken while matriculated at CSUCI,

minimum 2 units of COMP599,

minimum 6 units of COMP597,

complete each course with grade of B or better,

defend a thesis with a passing grade (“ACCEPT”) as evidenced by a formal report (the first three pages of the thesis) from the examination committee.