College of Technology and Computer Science

Department of Computer Science

Karl Abrahamson, Interim Chair, Suite 113-C, Science and Technology Building

MS in Computer Science

Applicants to the master of science degree in computer science must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School, have an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field, be able to demonstrate significant study in computer science, including a study of computer architecture and software design, be proficient programmers in at least one high-level programming language, submit three letters of recommendation, and have satisfactory scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations. Applicants whose native language is not English must additionally submit a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL).

Each applicant’s credentials will be reviewed by the director of graduate studies, who will determine if undergraduate deficiencies are present and, if so, will prescribe a method for their removal and determine a precondition for admission.

Minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. of credit as follows:

1. Core courses (12 s.h.): CSCI 6120, 6230, 6420, and one of 5210 or 5220; an additional 18 s.h. selected from CSCI courses numbered 5000 or above, including 3-6 s.h. of thesis or research project. At least 15 s.h. must be in courses numbered 6000 or above. Up to 6 s.h. of the following courses can count toward the 18 hours of CSCI elective courses:

   SENG 6240. Software Architecture and Design (3) (P/C: SENG 6230 or consent of instructor)

   SENG 6247. Software Security Engineering (3) (P: Consent of instructor)

   SENG 6250. Software Systems Modeling and Analysis (3) (P/C: SENG 6230 or consent of instructor)

   SENG 6255. Software Requirements Engineering (3) (P: Consent of instructor)

   SENG 6270. Software Verification and Validation (3) (P/C: SENG 6230 or consent of instructor)

2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be submitted for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as C may be counted toward the degree.
3. Satisfactory score on a comprehensive examination covering 12 s.h. of course work.
4. Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student must design and complete CSCI 6995 or 7000 under the direction of an advisor. The project or thesis must be successfully defended before the student’s examination committee.
5. Students must attend at least five research seminars and present at least one research seminar during the course of study.
6. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be submitted for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as C may be counted toward the degree.

MS in Software Engineering

The College of Technology and Computer Science offers a master’s of science in software engineering that is available online and on campus. The program prepares students to be able to specify, implement, and manage large software system projects from initial concept to the end of product life that are on-time, on-budget, and meet functional requirements.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School. Acceptance to the master of science degree in software engineering is based on satisfactory undergraduate grades, scores on either the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examinations, and letters of reference. Applicants whose native language is not English must additionally submit a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Completion of an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information systems or a related discipline is recommended for admission. Students from other disciplines or applicants with limited technical expertise are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program admissions committee. In some cases, remedial undergraduate courses or additional graduate courses are required as a precondition for admission. Students in the program are required to have fully functional computer hardware and full Internet connectivity. Requirements for completing the master of science in software engineering are described below.

Minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. of credit as follows:

1. Core - 9-12 s.h.

   SENG 6230, 6235 and SENG 6290 (3 s.h.) or 7000 (6 s.h.)

2. Concentration area (choose one) - 12 s.h.

   Software Design and Development

   SENG 6240. Software Architecture and Design

   SENG 6245. Software Construction

   SENG 6250. Software Systems Modeling and Analysis

   SENG 6270. Software Verification and Validation

   Software Project Management and Quality Assurance

   SENG 6255. Software Requirements Engineering

   SENG 6260. Software Metrics and Quality Management

   SENG 6265. Foundation of Software Testing

   SENG 6280. Process Management and Life Cycle Modeling

   Software Testing

   SENG 6250. Software Modeling and Analysis

   SENG 6265. Foundation of Software Testing

   SENG 6270. Software Verification and Validation

   SENG 6275. Dependable Systems and Software Reliability

3. Electives (Choose any two) - 6-9 s.h.

   Electives must come from outside concentrations

   CSCI 5220, 6130, 6140, 6600, 6710, SENG 6240, 6245, 6247, 6250, 6255, 6260, 6265, 6270, 6275, 6280, 6285

   Three s.h. from the following list:

   CSCI 5210, 5800, 6100, 6120, 6410, 6420, 6840

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be submitted for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as C may be counted toward the degree.