Master of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS)

The Department's Master of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS) provides students a strong foundation in the core computer science areas, together with advanced study of specialized topics in computing. Students work closely with faculty members and may select to complete either a thesis or project. The thesis option entails three semesters study under the direction of a faculty member in which the student gains an understanding of an area of current research and contributes to the state of the art in that area. The thesis option is chosen by students seeking to be involved in the Department's research efforts. The project option provides a more application-oriented experience completed in a single semesterand is typically a software project supervised by one the department's faculty members.

Many successful students enter the program with Bachelor's degrees in other disciplines. The department offers a series of graduate courses designed to facilitate students transition to graduate study in computer science from undergraduate study in other disciplines. The exact sequence of courses in determined individually by the department after review of the student's undergraduate transcript and relevant work experience.

The following section details degree requirements and a tabular form (degree plan) is accessable at the end of the section.

MS-CS Degree Requirements

Students complete 36 semester hours, including 12 semester hours of required computer science lecture and seminar courses, 12 or more semester hours of computer science prescribed elective courses, and a master's thesis or project. Student may also complete up to six hours of other computer science elective courses and courses in other departments. For students completing the project option a final written examination is required.

1. Required Computer Science lecture and seminar courses 12 hours

2. Computer Science prescribed elective courses

• Project Option: 15 or more hours
• Thesis Option: 12 or more hours

3. Other Computer Science elective courses and courses in other departments

• Project Option: 6 or less hours
• Thesis Option: 3 or less hours

4. Required Computer Science project and thesis courses

• Project Option: 3 hours
  • CSCI 6390 Master's Project
• Thesis Option: 9 hours
  • CSCI 6380 Problems in Computer Science and CSCI 7300 Thesis (6 hours)

Computer Science prescribed elective courses for MS-CS

• CSCI 6315 Applied Database Systems (credit granted for only one of 6315 and 6333)
• CSCI 6333 Advanced Database Design and Implementation
• CSCI 6334 Advanced Operating Systems
• CSCI 6336 Programming Languages and Compilers
• CSCI 6337 Simulation
• CSCI 6340 Advanced Software Engineering
• CSCI 6343 Process Design and Development Methodology
• CSCI 6345 Advanced Computer Networks
• CSCI 6350 Advanced Artificial Intelligence
• CSCI 6351 Knowledge-based Systems
• CSCI 6352 Object-Oriented System Development
• CSCI 6354 Performance Evaluation
• CSCI 6356 Parallel Computing
• CSCI 6360 Advanced Computer Graphics
• CSCI 6361 Computer Visualization
• CSCI 6362 Interactive Systems
• CSCI 6363 Human Computer Interaction
• CSCI 6364 Network Based Information Systems
• CSCI 6365 Network Management and Security
• CSCI 6366 Data Mining and Warehousing
• CSCI 6368 Advanced Multimedia Computing
• CSCI 6370 Topics in Computer Science

Examination Requirements
Students completing the MS in Computer Science degree with project option must pass the degree's final examination. The examination covers the degree's required courses and is offered once each semester, typically six weeks prior to the end of the semester. Students should notify the Graduate Programs Director of their intent to take the examination and may request a set of sample questions.

Degree Plan

A tabular listing of the degree's requirement is available as the MS-CS Degree Plan.

Additional information

Please refer to UTPA's Graduate Catalog