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Master of Science in Computer Science
The Master of Science in Computer Science is a 30 credit hour program with two possible areas of concentration: Computer Systems Applications and Software Engineering. It is designed to:

• Produce graduates that are ready to work in industry, government, health, and education. The graduates will have both practical and theoretical educational experience in Computer Science/Software Engineering with some hardware skills
• Provide computing educational experience that is rich in state-of-the-art laboratories, industry-related projects, and practical design skills, which highlight teamwork, computer-based problem solving, communication skills, and ethical values needed for computing professions and software engineers
• Prepare students to pursue a Doctorate degree in computer science, and software engineering through a motivating, extensive, and state-of-the-art educational experience

In order to be admitted to the program, the applicant

• 1. Must hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA 3.0 on a maximum 4.0 scale.
• 2. Must have knowledge of a modern programming language, such as C++ or Java, Data Structures and Algorithms, Machine Organization, and Discrete Mathematics. The level of knowledge required in these areas is equivalent to that taught in undergraduate courses CSC-345, Software Construction, or CSC-413, Java, CSC-443, Data Structures, CSC-271, Assembly Language or EE-480, Computer Architecture, MTH-142, Calculus II, and MTH-276, Discrete Mathematics.
• 3. Students will make up deficiencies in undergraduate preparation by taking appropriate courses or their equivalent without graduate credit. The department may add/change courses as necessary.
• 4. Applicants with academic or work experience equivalent to any of these courses may have that course waived after passing a department test with a grade of at least "B."

I. COMPUTING APPLICATIONS CONCENTRATION
The Computing Systems Applications Concentration provides specialized knowledge and experience in the theory, algorithm design, and implementation of various software systems and applications. It allows the study of the principles and tools adopted by computer software professionals.

Concentration Requirements

2. The Graduate Seminar (CSC-549, 3 cr.) or Thesis (CSC-599, 6 cr.) must be taken during the last semester(s) of study. These courses require students to carry out a project in a field of Computer Science or submit a thesis in selective areas of Computer Science.

3. The remaining courses (maximum four) should be appropriate graduate level CSC courses or taken from the Department’s Recommended List of Courses.

II. SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CONCENTRATION
The Software Engineering Concentration provides specialized knowledge and experience in applying a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to software development, operation, and maintenance. Software Engineering is a discipline which is concerned with all aspects of software production including analysis, design, development, testing and support of software systems.

Concentration Requirements

2. The Graduate Seminar in Software Engineering (CSC-573, 3 cr.) or Software Engineering Thesis (CSC-595, 6 cr.) must be taken during the last semester(s) of study. These courses require students to carry out a project in a field of Software Engineering or submit a thesis in selective areas of Software Engineering.

3. The remaining courses (maximum four) should be appropriate graduate level CSC courses, or taken from the Department’s Recommended List of Courses.