Graduate Program

The Computer Science program is housed in the School of Mathematics and Computer Science (CBET) in the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology. The School of CBET offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS). Admission requirements include good undergraduate academic standing, and three recommendations from instructors or current employers (for applicants working in the field of technology). A prospective candidate may or may not have an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in computer science. A candidate with a non-computer science degree must be motivated to learn in this technological area.

Students with an undergraduate degree in computer science (Plan A) will directly proceed to the core courses. However, students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than computer science (Plan B) must complete 9 hours of intensive foundation courses to gain the proficiency needed in computer programming, data structures, discrete mathematics, and computer organization. After completing the foundation courses, students in Plan B will move on to the core courses.

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available in the program leading to the Master of Science degree. Six (6) hours of thesis or two (2) additional electives are required in the non-thesis option.

Students can also choose from either Information Engineering (IE) or Cybersecurity (SE) concentrations. The total number of hours required is 30, which includes 15 hours of core courses and 15 hours that students select from the option of their choice. In addition, the students with instructor consent can complete 6 hours of either: COS 796 Project Course or COS 799 Thesis. The COS 796 and COS 799 options are recommended for candidates who plan to pursue employment in the computer industry after completion of the master’s degree or who are currently gainfully employed. The students completing the degree will have a broad knowledge of various subject areas, which include Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Networking, WEB Programming, Software Engineering, Databases, Computer Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Security, Cryptography, Advanced Algorithms, Information Security, Secure System Administration, Database Security, and Network Security.

Program Options

The M.S. in Computer Science offers two program options:

Students elect to complete either program as ‘Thesis’ or ‘Non-Thesis’.  The non-thesis track requires the completion of either 6 hours of COS796 (Project), or 2 additional electives. The thesis track requires 6 hours of COS799 (3credit hour course, repeated once).

Option-specific information can be found using the links above.

Admission Plans

Students will be admitted according to one of the following plans:

  • Plan A is for students who have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related field. These students will skip the foundation courses and can immediately begin with the core courses stated later (30 hours total).
  • Plan B is for students who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than Computer Science, have not taken prerequisite undergraduate computer science courses, but are interested in retraining in the computer field. These students are required to complete the Foundation courses (9 hours) before taking Core courses (39 hours total).

Please visit our Graduate Catalog for more details.

All program requirements must be completed within 3 years of initial admission (at full-time status) or 4 years (at part-time status), unless otherwise approved by the Computer Science Graduate Student Coordinator.

Core Requirements

Both the Cybersecurity and Information Engineering options require the following Core classes (3 hours each, total of 15 hours):

  • COS 506: Advanced Programming & Data Structures
  • COS 515: Advanced Database Management System
  • COS 536: Software Engineering
  • COS 570: Advanced Computer Architecture and Software
  • COS 585: Information Security

The Foundation courses for those with a non-Computer Science undergraduate degree are:

  • COS 502: Computer Science Foundation I (Introduction to Programming)
  • COS 504: Computer Science Foundation II (Discrete Mathematics)
  • COS 505: Computer Science Foundation III (OS Design)

Application Process

Admission to the graduate program is based on evidence that the candidate has attained a certain minimum level of academic proficiency. Admission requirements include good undergraduate academic standing, transcripts, and three (3) letters of recommendation from undergraduate teachers, or current employers if working in the field of technology. Candidates must assume responsibility for providing complete admission data.

Each prospective student must submit a completed application with a non-refundable fee of $30 USD ($50 for international applicants).

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