The Master of Science in Computer Science

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of computer science or 6 semester units of computer science related transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within seven years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs.

4. Completion of background preparation equivalent to
(a) CSCI 151 (Algorithms and Data Structures)
(b) CSCI 171 (Computer Architecture)
(c) MATH 007A, MATH 007B, MATH 104, MATH 120 or equivalents.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion of background preparation equivalent to the following undergraduate courses:
(a) CSCI 112 (Software Engineering)
(b) CSCI 152 (Operating Systems Programming)

All required undergraduate Computer Science courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C or better must be earned in each course. Students are expected to complete these courses immediately as a matter of reasonable progress toward the master’s degree.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of, or enrollment in, the graduate core courses.

2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. If the thesis or project option is chosen, formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

Requirements for the MS Degree in Computer Science:

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level courses as follows:
(a) At least 24 units in the discipline of Computer Science.
(b) completion of the graduate core courses:

CSCI    312    Software Engineering    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: CSCI 112 and classified graduate standing.

CSCI    356    Design & Analysis of Algorithms    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: CSCI 151, MATH 120, and classified graduate standing.

CSCI    372    Operating Systems    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: CSCI 152 and classified graduate standing.

CSCI    380    Computer Architecture    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: CSCI 171 and classified graduate standing.

(c) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(d) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extention course work are not acceptable).

2. Completion and final approval of one of the following three plans as approved by the Graduate Coordinator:

(a) Examination Plan. This plan includes 30 units of in-class course work, and a passing score on the written comprehensive examination covering the core. The examination may be taken a maximum of two times. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the graduate program in computer science.
(b) Project Plan. The project plan includes 27 units of in-class course work and 3 units of project preparation (CSCI 399). The project must reflect a personal in-depth study of a topic in an applied area of computer science. A formal written description of the project must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs for approval and accession to the library.
(c) Thesis Plan. This plan includes 24 units of in-class course work and 6 units of thesis research and preparation (CSCI 399). Research may be theoretical or applied, but must reflect a personal in-depth study into an approved topic. This plan requires a formal research thesis which must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs for approval and accession to the library.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Computer Science students will demonstrate their writing competence through successfully completing a departmentally administered examination given at the beginning of each semester or successful completion (B-or better) of an approved technical writing course. The writing examination may be taken a maximum of two times. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specific information.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

In addition, students may not count more than two courses in which they receive a grade of C toward the approved program.