The Computer Science Department offers two graduate options: Computer Science (CS) or Software Engineering (SE). The CS option provides instruction in applied and theoretical computer science topics such as networks and communication devices, theory of computation, analysis of algorithms, programming languages and operating systems. The SE option concentrates on software engineering concepts such as specification, design, verification and validation. Both options prepare the student for either employment or doctoral level research work. Numerous local and regional companies and governmental agencies employ computer science students as co-ops.

The Department annually awards several scholarships, fellowships and out-of-state tuition waivers to new and returning students. (See the financial aid section of this catalog for application procedures for scholarships and fellowships.) The department also has limited opportunities for teaching/research assistanships and graders for new and returning students. Contact the Department Chair for information.

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

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants for either option should hold a degree in computer or information science or a related technical field. Candidates with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines may also be considered for admission, especially if they have significant work experience related to one of the graduate programs.

Applicants must provide a completed University application; GRE scores that are not more than 5 years old; three letters of recommendation; and a letter of intent stating the goals of the applicant. Applicants are required to achieve a minimum score of 475 on each of the three sections (verbal, quantitative and analytic) of the GRE; and an aggregate score of at least 1600. International applicants must also satisfy the University TOEFL requirement (see the International student admission section of the catalog).

Completed applications for admission for the fall semester are due by the preceding March 1; applications for admission for the spring semester are due by the preceding October 1. Applications for academic year financial aid are due by the preceding March 1. The department does not ordinarily admit new students in the summer term, but meritorious individuals will be considered on a case by case basis.

Non-degree seeking students may be given a tentative degree plan by the graduate director, and may petition the Department Chair, upon admission as a regular graduate student, to count up to 12 semester hours of graduate level coursework taken while enrolled as a special student towards their graduate degree.

Students must be fully admitted before they can register for 6000 level courses.

Graduate students develop a degree plan with the graduate director during their first semester of graduate work. All students must complete University requirements and a planned degree program with a 3.0 (B) average and a minimum grade of "C-" in all core courses. Students electing to write a thesis for either option take 24 semester hours of graduate courses, 6 semester hours of thesis, and must pass an oral examination concerning the contents of their thesis. Students electing the project option must take: for the CS option, 30 semester hours of coursework and a 3 semester hour project course; for the SE option, 27 semester hours of coursework and a 6 semester hour project course.

Electives in both options may be chosen from the following course list, provided the course is not a degree program requirement, and the student has all the specified prerequisites for the course:

Advanced topics courses (CAP, CDA, CEN, CIS, COP and COT 6930) are acceptable electives. Project courses in the non-program option of a student are not acceptable electives. Up to 6 semester hours of 4000-6000 level electives that further the objectives of an individual program may also be chosen from the offerings of other departments with the approval of the graduate director and the Chairperson of the Computer Science Department.

The graduate director will construct an initial degree plan and recommend an appropriate sequencing of prerequisites, or additional courses, if needed.

The graduate director will construct an initial degree plan and recommend an appropriate sequencing of prerequisites, or additional courses, if needed.