The Department of Computer Science offers an M.S. in Computer Science, as well as an M.S. in Computer Science with concentrations in Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics or Informatics. These degree programs are all 33 credits. In addition, the computer science faculty has developed a sequence of courses that constitute a prerequisite program for students who do not have the appropriate background in computer science and/or mathematics. Upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisite program, students are admitted to the Master of Science program.
IV. Entrance Requirements for Matriculation
Students may apply for matriculation into the Master of Science programs provided they can satisfy the university entrance requirements and can satisfy the departmental requirements in mathematics and computer science. (Deficiencies in some or all of the requirements are discussed in SectionV.)
Applications must be submitted by July 1 in order to be guaranteed consideration for Fall Admissions. Applications submitted after July 1 will be considered on a space available basis.
A. University Application Requirements:
- Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with either:
- a major in computer science or mathematics
- a major in science or engineering, or
- another major with an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or other indications of the ability to complete the program.
- Applicants are required to take the GRE aptitude test.
- International students should check university requirements.
B. Departmental Requirements:
- Applicants must have taken at least 15 undergraduate mathematics credits which should include:
- Discrete Mathematics
- Linear Algebra and Probability, and
- Calculus.
- Applicants must:
- be proficient in the following computer programming languages:
- C++ or Java
- Assembly Language (for some architecture)
- have knowledge of:
- data structures
- computer architecture (CISC and RISC)
- CMPT: 505
- Fundamentals of Computer Science I (Java) – 4 credits, Fall
- CMPT: 506
- Fundamentals of Computer Science II (Assembler language, computer architecture) 4 credits, Spring
- CMPT: 507
- Fundamentals of Computer Science III (Data Structures) – 4 credits, Spring
- MATH: 501
- Mathematics for Computer Science I (Discrete Mathematics) 4credits, Fall
- MATH: 502
- Mathematics for Computer Science II (Linear Algebra and Probability) 3 credits, Spring or Summer
- MATH: 503
- Mathematics for Computer Science III (Calculus) 3 credits, Summer
Deficiencies in mathematics are discussed in Section V.
A two-semester course sequence in an object oriented language or one year's programming experience in industry will suffice for the first of these requirements. A one-semester course in assembly language will suffice for the second.
Deficiencies in computer science are discussed in Section V.
Prerequisite Program
The computer science faculty has developed a series of six courses that will enable applicants desiring to make a career change or to complement their current career to obtain the necessary background in mathematics and computer science in order to pursue a graduate degree in computer science. Students who have deficiencies in some of the six areas and satisfy others may only be required to take some of the courses to make up their specific deficiencies. Two sequences of three courses each have been developed that will enable students to obtain the necessary foundations in computer science and mathematics.
The computer science courses are:
The mathematics courses are:
Deficiencies in computer science can be rectified by taking CMPT: 505, 506, and 507. It should be noted that the computer science courses are accelerated computer science courses designed for the student to master he necessary concepts for the graduate program rather than courses just to develop routine programming skills. Deficiencies in mathematics can be rectified by taking MATH: 501, 502, and 503, which are accelerated Mathematics courses. When required, these courses will be "prerequisite courses" on the graduate work program. The sequence requires one academic year to complete (i.e., Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters) but can be taken over a two year period. Applicants satisfying admission requirements but needing to make up some or all of the work in the fundamentals of Mathematics and/or Computer Science (MATH: 501, 502, 503 and CMPT: 505, 506, 507) are granted deferred matriculation. Upon completion of the necessary courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, students will be granted full matriculation.