Computer Science

The CS MS is a small, highly selective, four-semester program for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of computer science through advanced coursework, research, writing, and teaching. The program is ideal for self-motivated students who have expository skills, enjoy the research environment, and like working with undergraduates in introductory courses. Students in the program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend.

Credit Hours

• A minimum of 34 credit hours is required including CS 7999 (Thesis Research).
• In general, any work that contributes to the credit hour requirement for the MS cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for another degree.

CS Coursework

• At least 14 credits must be earned through CS coursework. (CS 7999 and seminars cannot be used.)
• All CS courses must be 4000-level or higher.
• Students must complete at least four CS courses that are at the 5000 level or higher and one of these must be at the 6000-level.
• All CS courses must be taken for a letter grade and that grade must be C or better for the course to count.

Committee

• MS students must have at least 2 members of the graduate faculty on their special committee - one in the major subject (the chair) and one in the minor subject.
• Committees must be formed by the end of the 2nd semester for MS students.

The Outside Minor and Credit for Non-CS Courses

• Students are required to have an outside minor and to have a Minor Field Member on their Thesis Committee.
• The outside minor requirement typically involves 2-3 courses and is determined by the outside minor field.
• Non-CS courses and courses not associated with the outside minor can also be used to fulfill the 34 credit hour minimum. These courses must be approved by the Director, but typically graduate -level courses in any field are acceptable if they relate to the student’s educational objectives

Thesis Research (CS 7999)

• Students are required to have a Thesis Advisor.
• Students must complete between 6 and 12 credits hours of thesis research (CS 7999).
• CS 7999 can be taken multiple times, i.e., thesis research can be spread over several semesters.
• All CS 7999’s must be taken for a letter grade and only if the grade is B or better can it count towards the fulfillment thesis research requirement.
• The volume of work associated with the thesis is determined by the Thesis Advisor. The thesis itself will typically be between 20-50 pages in length.
• A 30-50 minute oral presentation of thesis results is required.

Good Standing

• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 must be maintained to continue in the program.
• You must be considered a top TA in the courses that you act as a TA.  This will be evaluated at the end of each term.
• A student who receives a course grade less than C or a CS 7999 grade less than B may be asked to leave the program.
• To be in good standing after the first, second, and third semesters, it is necessary to have completed at least 8, 16, and 24 credits hours of work respectively.

Course Load

• Students are not allowed to take more that 12 credits hours during a semester unless permission is granted by the Director and and the Thesis Advisor.

On January 1 we begin reviewing applications for a Fall Semester start.   Once all positions have been filled, we will stop considering new applications. An application consists of

• A Bachelors degree in CS is expected but applicants who have majored in another field and minored in CS will be fully considered. Applicants must have a proven record of excellence as an undergraduate grader/TA in a computer science course. Experience as an undergraduate researcher is highly recommended.
• Transcripts of all college-level work,
• Three letters of recommendation including at least one that addresses expository skills and the ability to work in a classroom setting, and
• An essay  that explains how the degree program and the anticipated thesis area resonates with your career plans.

All applicants (except current Cornell undergraduates) are required to take the GRE general test. Non-native English speakers are required to take the TOEFL.  Scores on the Writing, Listening, and Reading components must be 24 or higher and 28 or higher for the Speaking component.

Financial Support

Students who are admitted into the program serve as full time teaching assistants (TA’s) during each of the four semesters. This involves a fifteen-hour commitment to TA duties each week. In exchange, the student receives full tuition, a stipend to cover basic living expenses, and health insurance.  Summer instructorships, TA-ships, and research assistantships are available but are not guaranteed.  Serving as a TA is an integral part of the program. To remain in good standing in the program, students have to be among the top TAs in their assigned courses. TA performance is evaluated at the end of each semester.