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 Studies.

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

4. Completion of background preparation equivalent to (a) CSCI 311 (Algorithms and Data Structures) (b) CSCI 320 (Computer Architecture) (c) MATH 120, MATH 121, MATH 314, MATH 317, 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 330 (Software Engineering) (b) CSCI 340 (Operating Systems Programming)

2. 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 Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows: (a) At least 24 units in the discipline of Computer Science. (b) completion of the graduate core courses:

CSCI 620 Computer Architecture 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CSCI 320 and classified graduate standing.
CSCI 630 Software Engineering 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CSCI 330 and classified graduate standing.
CSCI 640 Operating Systems 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: CSCI 340 and classified graduate standing.
CSCI 650 Design/Analysis of Algorithms 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CSCI 311, MATH 317, and classified graduate standing.

(c) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 600-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 699P). 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 Studies 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 699T). 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 Studies 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- higher) 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 - 597/697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-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 597/697, 696, 699P, 699T 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 minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

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