COMPUTER SCIENCE
College of Science and Technology
Degree: Master of Science
Department: Computer Science
Building 79, Room 102
(850) 474-2542
College: Science & Technology

The Department of Computer Science offers the M.S. degree in computer science, which consists of 33 semester hours of approved course work, with at least 15 semester hours at the 6000 level. A student's degree program may also contain a maximum of 6 semester hours at the 4000 level in courses approved in advance by the student's advisor.

This program comprises two options. The computer science option provides advanced course work and research opportunities in both theoretical and applied computer science. The software engineering option provides instruction in advanced concepts in software engineering, including software specification, design, verification, and validation.

A thesis is optional. Students writing a thesis may be permitted to include academic credit for research and thesis in their program. An examination and oral defense of the thesis will be required.

Course descriptions are listed alphabetically by prefix at Course Listings/Descriptions.

In addition to the general University requirements, students seeking the M.S. degree in computer science must meet the admission and degree requirements for the option chosen.

COMPUTER SCIENCE OPTION
Students pursuing this option must hold an undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related field and have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. In addition to general University requirements, students seeking a degree in this option must achieve an overall score on the GRE (verbal and quantitative) of 1100, with a minimum of 450 in each of the two sections.

A candidate may elect either a thesis or a project. Candidates writing a thesis may be awarded 9 semester hours of credit for thesis research. Candidates not writing a thesis must take a 3 semester hour project course.

Prerequisites
CDA 4313 Microprocessor Systems II 3
COP 4020 Programming Languages 3
COP 4610 Computer Operating Systems 3
COT 4420 Theory of Computation 3
STA 4321 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I 3

Choose one:
COP 3502 CS Fundamentals I 3
MAD 2104 Discrete Mathematics for Information Sciences 3

Choose one:
COP 3503 CS Fundamentals II 3
COP 3530 Data Structures 3

An advisor will determine if other prerequisites are needed.

Major Requirements (33 sh)
CDA 6158 Advanced Computer Architecture 3
COP 5025 Programming Languages 3
COP 6611 Advanced Computer Operating Systems 3
COT 5315 Theory of Computation 3
COT 5405 Analysis of Algorithms 3
Major Electives (chosen in consultation with advisor) Six hours may be at the 4000 level 18

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING OPTION
The master's degree in software engineering is open to students with any undergraduate degree. Students without an undergraduate degree in computer science or related field must take a sequence of undergraduate prerequisite courses, six hours of which may be used in the 33 hour graduate program.

A candidate may elect either a thesis or project option.

Prerequisites
Prerequisites for each student will be determined at an initial counseling session with a faculty advisor. Certain prerequisites may be satisfied through competency exams, equivalent work experience, or equivalent courses.

  1. Fundamentals and Programming
    CGS 3060 Science of Computing 3
    CIS 3512 System Documentation 3
    COP 2210 Microprogramming with Pascal (or equivalent language) 3
    COP 3502 CS Fundamentals I 3
    COP 3503 CS Fundamentals II 3
  2. CS Topics
    CDA 3310 Microprocessor Systems I 3
    CEN 4020 Software Engineering I 3
    CEN 4511 Computer Communications, Networks, and Distributed Systems 3
    COP 4020 Programming Languages 3
    COP 4610 Computer Operating Systems 3
    COP 4710 Database Systems 3
  3. Problem Solving Proficiencies
    CEN 4400 Introduction to Operations Research 3
    MAC 2233 Calculus with Business Applications 3
    STA 2023 Elements of Statistics 3
  4. Written Communication Skills
    1. Score 500 or more on verbal GRE, or
    2. Satisfy college writing requirement.
    (May be waived for international students whose native language is not English).
    Advisors will recommend an appropriate sequencing of prerequisites, or additional courses, if needed.
Major Requirements (33 sh)
CEN 6055 Software Engineering Management 3
CEN 6064 Software Design 3
CEN 6070 Software Verification & Validation 3
CEN 6075 Software Specification 3

Choose one:
CEN 6015 Software Engineering Project
Course offered as 1-6 sh per semester
6
CIS 6971 Thesis
Course offered as 1-6 sh per semester
6

An additional 15 semester hours of major courses are chosen in consultation with the advisor. Nine of these hours must be 5000-6000 graduate level computer science courses. The remaining six hours may be free electives or prerequisites.


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Adrienne Turner
Enrollment Services
July 1998