Master of Science in Computer Science Technology
The Division of Computer and Technological Sciences is a part of the College of Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Health. The division offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science in Computer Science Technology (MSCST). Admission requirements include good undergraduate academic standing, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation from undergraduate teachers or current employers (for applicants working in the field of technology). A prospective candidate may or may not have an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in computer science. A candidate with a non-computer science degree must show great motivation towards learning in the technological fields.
Students with an undergraduate degree in computer science (Plan A) will directly proceed to the core courses. However, the students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than computer science (Plan B) must complete 6 hours of intensive foundation courses to gain the proficiency needed in the areas of computer programming, data structures, discrete mathematics, and computer organization. After completion of the foundation courses, students in Plan B will move on to the core courses.
Both thesis and non-thesis options are available in the program leading to the Master of Science degree. Six (6) hours of project or two (2) additional electives are required in the non-thesis option.
Students can also choose from the Information Technology (IT) or Security and Network (SNW) options. The total number of hours required is 30, which includes 15 hours of core courses and 9 hours that students select from the option of their choice. In addition, the students complete 6 hours Projects (COS 796) or Thesis (COS 799), or specialty electives. The last two options are recommended for candidates who plan to pursue employment in the computer industry after completion of the master's degree or who are currently gainfully employed. The students completing the degree will have a broad knowledge in various subject areas which include Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Networking, WEB Programming, Software Engineering, Databases, Computer Programming, Artificial Intelligence, E-commerce, Compiler Design, Computer Security, Cryptography, Multimedia Technology, Advanced Algorithms, Cryptography, Information Security, Secure System Administration, Database Security, and Network Security.
The Master of Computer Science Technology program admits only students whose preparation indicates potential for a high level of success. Applicants who have earned bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions and have overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) receive Regular Admission based entirely on evidence of the undergraduate accomplishment. Applicants with GPA of less than 3.0 may obtain Regular Admission by meeting BOTH Requirements A and B below. Requirement A ensures that all MSCST students are likely to succeed in professional graduate study; Requirement B ensures that all students also have the potential for career success in the computer science field. Only applicants meeting both requirements can be admitted.
The applicant must possess an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.7. This information should be verifiable from the applicant’s official transcript.
The applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:
Has completed at least 24 hours of undergraduate work related to Computer Science.
Has been verifiably employed full time in a technological field for a period of at least two (2) years.
Has a combined score of at least 1,000 (Verbal and Analytical) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
The applicant who meets any one of the three requirements is not required to submit documentation concerning the other two. For example, if an applicant’s transcript indicates that he/she has completed 24 hours of course work related to computer science (requirement 1), then the applicant need not submit a GRE score or an employer letter.