The Master of Science degree in Computer Science requires a minimum of 30 units of graduate courses with at least an overall 3.0 grade point average. Each student will be assigned an advisor at the time of acceptance to the program. It is expected that the student and her/his advisor will work together closely to identify elective courses and choose possible research topics for the thesis or research project.
Students must do exactly one of the following:
- Complete a Master's thesis.
- Complete a research project.
A thesis is the written result of a systematic study of a significant Computer Science problem. It defines, develops, and executes an investigation into a chosen problem area. The motivation, approach, and results of the investigation are communicated in a clear and logical fashion; it is grammatically correct, logically organized and technically sound. The finished product should evidence originality, and critical and independent thinking through documentation. The thesis must be planned, organized, executed, and completed while the student is enrolled in the Master's program. Guidelines on the preparation and official submission of the thesis can be obtained from the Department Chair's office. The final copies of the thesis are to be delivered to the committee members at least two (2) weeks prior to the oral defense of the thesis which must be held at least two weeks prior to the end of a regular semester.
A project is the written result of a comprehensive implementation or analysis of a particular computer system or problem encountered in the literature. The composite elements of the project are the same as for a thesis, but the scope is more narrow. The project must be completed while the student is enrolled in the Master's program. Project submission forms can be obtained from the Department Chair's office. The final copies of the project are to be delivered to the committee members at least two (2) weeks before an oral presentation, which must be held at least two weeks prior to the end of a regular semester.
At least nine (9) units must be numbered 600 or above. Only courses numbered 500 or higher can be counted towards the Master's degree requirement with the exceptions of CS 421, CS 433, and CS 441 which must be taken if these courses were not taken prior to admission to the program. No course or equivalent which was taken as a requirement for the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or related fields can be used to satisfy these requirements. Not more than nine (9) units in approved extension and transfer courses may be used to satisfy the minimum units required for the degree; any such units must be approved by the Computer Science and Information Systems Department Chair or faculty advisor. Given the nature of rapid development in Computer Science, all requirements should be satisfied within five years of initial acceptace into the program or course work must be repeated.
Students are required to take the following graduate-level core courses:
- CS 537
- CS 542
- CS 551
- CS 571
Students are advised to complete the core courses before selecting their electives.
