Computer Science, M.S. - 32 units

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(Offered through CI ‘s Extended University)

The M.S. in Computer Science (MSCS) Degree prepares students for advanced careers in high-tech, computer-driven industries, including applications to business, aerospace, education, military, and government where interdisciplinary, dynamic, and innovative professionals trained in the latest technologies are increasingly sought. Students develop a strong background in computer theory, software and hardware, as well as skills to conduct applied research. The program stresses interdisciplinary applications, while preparing students for a wide range of industry, academic, and research positions. The program offers two pathways to completion of the MSCS Degree through either a project or a thesis option.

Admission

Students seeking admission are expected to have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. Applicants will be evaluated according to the program guidelines, which will consider the applicants in the context of the total applicant pool using our general admission standards, including all academic work, GPA, standardized test scores (such as GRE), personal statement of purpose, reference letters, relevant work experience, and other factors that may have a bearing on the individual’s potential for success.

Candidates with undergraduate degrees from other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be provisionally accepted. The conditions will usually include a selection of foundation Computer Science and Math courses, as determined by the admission committee.

The current guidelines and admission procedures are described in detail on the program web pages at: http://compsci.csuci.edu.

Graduation

To obtain the MSCS Degree, a student must complete each course with a minimum grade of B. A student must also successfully complete 3 units of COMP 596 (Master Project) plus one additional COMP elective for 3 units, or complete 6 units of COMP 597 (Master Thesis). A student choosing the thesis option must successfully defend the thesis before an examination committee.

Note: Any remedial courses are in addition to the following graduation requirements

Electives - 24- 27

Master Project Option: complete 27 units from the following:

Master Thesis Option: complete 24 units from the following:

COMP 510 - Advanced Image Analysis Techniques (Cross-listed as PHYS 510, MATH 510 ) Units: 3
COMP 520 - Advanced Database Systems Units: 3
COMP 524 - Security Units: 3
COMP 529 - Cloud Computing Units: 3
COMP 532 - Computational Bioinformatics Units: 3
COMP 546 - Pattern Recognition (Cross-listed as PHYS 546, MATH 546) Units: 3
COMP 549 - Human-Computer Interaction Units: 3
COMP 550 - Advanced Software Engineering Units: 3
COMP 554 - Algorithms (Cross-listed as MATH 554) Units: 3
COMP 566 - Geometry and Computer Graphic Units: 3
COMP 569 - Artificial Intelligence Units: 3
COMP 571 - Biologically Inspired Computing Units: 3
COMP 572 - Neural Networks Units: 3
COMP 575 - Multi-Agent Systems Units: 3
COMP 578 - Data Mining Units: 3
COMP 590 - Advanced Topics in Computer Science Units: 3

Required Courses - 5-8 units

Select Master Project or Master Thesis:

Master Project - 5 units

Complete 3 units of COMP 596 and 2 units of COMP 599

COMP 596 - Master Project Units: 3
COMP 599 - Graduate Seminar Units: 1

Master Thesis - 8 units

Complete 6 units of COMP 597 and 2 units of COMP 599

COMP 597 - Master Thesis Units: 1-3
COMP 599 - Graduate Seminar Units: 1

Note(s)

To accommodate the need to acquire multidisciplinary experience and knowledge beneficial to their research, MSCS students may take up to six units of courses outside the COMP prefix upon obtaining authorization from the MSCS program director in consultation with the Master Thesis advisor.
Graduate students may also receive credit for taking 400-level courses under some exceptional circumstances. Permission to take such courses has to be granted by the program director, in consultation with the Master Thesis advisor and the course instructor, prior to enrolling in the courses. No more than nine units may be earned in this way.

Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

Prior to the awarding of the degree, writing proficiency must be demonstrated by successful completion of COMP 596 - Master Project or COMP 597 - Master Thesis (dependent on the chosen track) with a grade of B or higher.

Continuous Registration Requirement

A student, who is not on an Academic Leave of Absence, must register every semester until graduating. If all other course requirements have been satisfied, a student should register in one unit of COMP 596 or COMP 597 (dependent on the chosen track) to satisfy the requirement.