M.S. in Computer Science The M.S. program in Computer Science provides students with the knowledge and skills to become successful leaders in the field of computer science. The program provides the basic foundations with an emphasis on the design and development of large software systems.Required courses cover what is commonly accepted by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) as the core of graduate Computer Science. The inclusion of small implementation projects and/or computer programming exercises in most courses provides experience in the practical aspects of the software development cycle. In addition, each student enrolls in a two-course sequence, either writing a thesis or completing a large software development project.  Successful candidates for admission will have the bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an undergraduate average of at least 3.0. Candidates who do not have sufficient background in mathematics, computer science/programming and systems programming may make up the requirements for full matriculant status by enrolling in intensive computer science background courses.      Computer Science Background Requirements A candidate who is not proficient in the C programming language must take CS 601 (no credits toward Computer Science master's degree).  A candidate who does not have sufficient background in computer science foundations (e.g., operating systems, computer architecture, discrete structures, advanced programming) must take CS 605 (3 credits). Candidates who successfully complete both CS 601 and CS 605 will get three elective credits for CS 605.  (top of page)   Transfer Credits  Students are permitted to transfer a maximum of six graduate Computer Science credits from other institutions with the approval of the Chair. Industry training courses that meet time and content requirements may, with the approval of the Chair, qualify for transfer credits.  (top of page)   Competency Equivalencies Students who can demonstrate competency in core courses may request that the course(s) be waived. The student will substitute an elective course, with the approval of the Chair.  (top of page)   Degree Requirements  The 36-credit curriculum offers three options. All students take 21 credits of core courses. Students may choose a thesis option (6 credits) plus 9 credits of electives, a software development project option (6 credits) plus 9 credits of electives, or a software development project option (3 credits) plus 12 credits of electives.  (top of page)     Core Requirements (21 credits)  Courses Description CS 631 Algorithms and Data Structures CS 633 Structured Systems Analysis and Design CS 641 Computer Architecture CS 643 Operating Systems I CS 645 Computer Communications and Networking CS 649 Data Base Management Systems CS 666 Artificial Intelligence (top of page)   Option I (Thesis)  Thesis (Computer Science 698-699) 6 credits (top of page)   Option II (Software Project)  Two-Course Sequence Software Engineering (CS 653) 3 credits Software Development Project (CS 690) 3 credits (top of page)   Option III (Software Project)  One-Course Sequence Software Development Project (CS 691) 3 credits (top of page) Electives  Courses Description CS 651 Programming Languages CS 653 Software Engineering CS 655 Object-oriented Software Methodology CS 662 Formal Language and Automata Theory CS 664 Compiler Theory and Design CS 666 Artificial Intelligence CS 668 Advanced Topics in Data Base Technology CS 669 Expert and Knowledge Base Systems CS 670 Neural Networks CS 671 Object Oriented Database Systems CS 673 Internet Programming with JAVA CS 675 Parallel Programming CS 676 UNIX Programming CS 677 Windows Development CS 678 Data Security CS 679 Local Area Networks CS 695, 696, 697 Special Topics in Computer Science CS 690, 691 Software Development Project  (top of page)