Master of Science in Computer Science 2007

The Master of Science in Computer Science is the most technical of CTI's master’s programs. The courses in the Prerequisite Phase and Core Knowledge Phase focus on the foundations and fundamentals of programming languages, and the theoretical underpinnings of computer science. As part of the Advanced Phase, students get a breadth of training in traditional areas of computer science by taking one course each in Foundations, Computer Systems, and Database Systems. The remainder of the Advanced Phase gives students a great deal of flexibility. A student may choose to focus in a specific area by taking many courses in one area of computer science or from one of the other degree programs in CTI. Or, they may achieve a breadth of knowledge across many areas by selecting courses from a variety of areas. This degree is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a technical career in any of a number of areas of computer science, or for students who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the future.

The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master's degree program consists of:

• Prerequisite Phase
• Core Knowledge Phase
• Advanced Phase

Upon acceptance into the masters degree program, the student will meet with their faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted masters student. In the Core Knowledge phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.

Grade and GPA requirements

Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses. 

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA of 3.90 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase

The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the MS in Computer Science are:

By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase. All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show competency in a prerequisite.  All students are blocked from enrolling in Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. The student must submit an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed. The online request must be submitted two weeks before the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Graduate Phase of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to MyCTI.

Core Knowledge Phase

Core Knowledge Courses

Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced phase courses.  The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Computer Science are:

Advanced Phase

One course in each of the following areas: Foundations, Computer Systems, Database Systems

Four additional courses from the areas above or Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, Data Analysis, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Security, Network Technologies, two of which must be 500-level. Courses are grouped into different areas below for your convenience. A student may concentrate in one area by taking all 4 courses from the same area, or may wish to take courses from a variety of areas.

Three elective courses. Students must choose three graduate level elective courses from the School of CTI. Elective courses are in the range of 420-699.

Overall, at least four 500-level courses.

There is a research option for this degree as well.

Database Systems Area

Foundations Area

Computer Systems Area

Artificial Intelligence Area

Bioinformatics Area

Computer Vision Area

Data Analysis Area

Computer Graphics Area

Software Engineering Area

Security Area

Network Technologies Area

Masters Research Option

Students interested in a more in-depth study of a particular area can choose to work with a faculty member (not necessarily their academic advisor) on a research project. This option can be satisfied by taking the course CSC 696 (Masters Project) at least twice, each time for 4 credits. The Masters research option will replace one elective and one of the 4 required area courses. Students who choose this option must successfully complete the Core Knowledge courses prior to their first enrollment in CSC 696. The research project must represent an original contribution to the area, and may include system development, empirical studies, or theoretical work. The scope and the details of the research project will be determined by the research supervisor, and must be approved by the student's academic advisor. At the end of the two quarters, the student must submit a technical report detailing the results of the research project. This report must be approved by the student's research supervisor and the faculty advisor, at which point it will be made available to the public as a CTI Departmental Technical Report.

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Last Modified: Tuesday May 26, 2009