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The master’s program in computer science emphasizes both computer software development and the theoretical foundations of computer science.  It is designed to prepare students for professional positions in business, industry, and government and to provide preparation for graduate work at the doctoral level.

Areas of faculty specialization include algorithmic complexity theory, artificial intelligence, computational geometry, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer networking, data warehousing and mining, distributed and mobile data bases, expert systems, formal specifications, human-computer interaction and visualization, knowledge-based systems, language and automata theory, mathematical and computer modeling, multimedia databases and systems, neural networks, parallel and sequential algorithms, pattern recognition and image processing, scientific computing and numerical analysis, simulation, and software engineering.  The program also permits student to acquire expertise in closely related fields such as computer engineering and mathematics.

The master’s program is designed to allow a full-time student entering with a strong undergraduate background in computer science to complete all degree requirements within sixteen months.  However, it is not uncommon for a student to take somewhat longer.

Admission Requirements

A successful applicant to the master’s program in computer science must satisfy:

1. All of the general admission criteria identified in the Graduate Catalog.
2. Submission of transcripts of prior education.  Applicant should have earned or expect to earn an undergraduate degree in a program with significant computer science and mathematics content: 
   
   a. In computer science:  computer assembly language, computer organization, data structures, design and analysis of algoritms, file structures, formal languages and automata, logic design, object-oriented and structured programming, and operating systems. 
   b. In mathematics:  calculus (2 semesters), linear algebra, and discrete structures.
   
   The department welcomes applications to the master’s program from strong students who do not have a computer science undergraduate degree but have completed at least two calculus courses and two programming courses at the university level prior to applying.
   
   A student applying without a computer science undergraduate degree may be given conditional admission and asked to complete with a grade of “B” or better designated undergraduate courses from the following list:
        CS 1110 Computer Science I
        CS 1120 Computer Science II
        CS 2230 Computer Organization and Assembly Language
        CS 2240 Systems Programming Concepts
        CS 3310 Data and File Structures 
        CS 4310 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
        CS 4540 Operating Systems
        CS 4800 Theory of Computation I: Automata
        ECE 2500 Digital Logic I
        MATH 1220 Calculus I
        MATH 1230 Calculus II
        MATH 1450 Discrete Mathematical Structures
        MATH 2300 Elementary Linear Algebra
   
   Due to the sequential order in which some of the prerequisite courses must be taken, students admitted on a conditional basis might not initially be able to take a full-time course load in only computer science courses.
3. While Graduate Record Examination scores are not required for admission to the master’s program, applicants are encouraged to submit them.
4. The TOEFL examination result is required for international students.

Financial Assistance

Students accepted into the master’s program may apply for one of the department’s graduate teaching and research assistantships. Graduate internship opportunities with local industries are also available. Applications for teaching and research assistantships should be sent directly to the Department of Computer Science. The forms and instructions for applying for financial assistance can be obtained from the department. Information about non-departmental assistantships and fellowships, tuition remission, special assistance for minority graduate students, general research funds, and tuition grants is available from The Graduate College. Information about student loans and other federal, state, and University need-based financial aid programs is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.