MASTER OF SCIENCE in Computer Science

The Master’s Program in Computer Science is a two year program in which a student must complete a required core of courses and additional concentration and general computer science elective courses. The curriculum for the Master of Science in Computer Science requires 36 semester credit units, and offers both a thesis option (30 semester credit units of coursework and 6 semester units of a thesis)and a non thesis option (33 semester credit units of coursework and 3 semester credit units of a project). Students may choose to obtain the degree in Computer Science with specialization in Software Engineering or Distributed Systems and Networking. The academic program is expected to culminate in master’s thesis or project. During the first semester of the program, the student should choose a major advisor who will assist him or her in the choice of elective courses. The major advisor will chair the student’s advisory committee for the thesis/project. Two additional members of the students’ graduate advisory committee will need to be selected. The graduate program can provide a strong background for future study in a doctoral program. It also provides graduate training as preparation for professional applicants. Students with a master’s degree in computer science are also prepared for a career in teaching and/or research. A majority of graduate classes are scheduled to accommodate late afternoon and evening classes.

Useful Links:

• MSCS-CSUDH-Guideline-Spring2018
• IEEE-StyleManual
• Project-Proposal-Sheet
• Thesis-presentation-guideline
• Thesis Preparation Steps
• Template for Project/Thesis
• Master's Thesis Project Template

Requirements

Students holding Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science are accepted as graduate students, provided they meet the general requirements stated below. Applicants NOT holding a degree in Computer Science are also accepted as graduate students, provided they meet the general requirements and successfully complete the leveling courses below.

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited higher education institution.
• A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (iBT-internet based test) (for applicants whose native language is not English).
• A minimum IELTS(Academic) Score of 6.5.
• A minimum GRE General Test score of 293 (combined verbal and quantitative).

Prospective graduate students must :

1. Submit an application to the University for Admissions (or readmission) with graduate standing, and official transcript of all previous college work following the procedures outlined in the Admissions section of the University Catalog.
2. Submit to the Computer Science Graduate Program Coordinator:
   1. A second set of official transcripts;
   2. A letter to the department describing interests, goals, and expectations in pursuing
   3. Three letters of recommendations sent directly from individuals who can evaluate potential for graduate study;
   4. Verification of minimum GRE General Test score of 293 (combined verbal and quantitative) before the student has completed 9 semester units.

Student Enrollment and Graduation

A student with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, with a GPA greater than 2.44 but less than 2.75 and/or GRE scored above 245 but less than 293, may first receive conditionally classified admission to the MS degree program. A conditionally classified student has one year to receive a minimum GRE score of 900 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 to change status to classified graduate student.

For leveling courses student need to submit the Credit/No Credit form within first three weeks from starting of semester.

A student with a Bachelor’s degree in discipline other than Computer Science must possess a computer science background equivalent to the following CSUDH courses:

• CSC 311: Data Structures
• CSC 321: Programming Language Concepts
• CSC 331: Computer Organization
• CSC 341: Operating Systems
• MAT 281: Discrete Mathematics
• MAT 361: Finite Automata
• Proficiency in a programming language (or CSC 123 – Computer Science II )

A student without this background must enroll in these leveling courses before being accepted as a regular student in the graduate Computer Science program. Successful completion in these courses means a grade of ‘C’ or better in each leveling course.

Students entering the master’s program must maintain a grade of no less than ‘B’ in any course for their continuation in this program. Final decision on admission is made by the Computer Science Graduate Committee.

More information for International Students : Here

Total Units required for is program is 36 Units

Student may choose to obtain the degree specializing in following tracks:

• Software Engineering(SE)
• Distributed Systems and Networking (DSN)

Brochure

Master of Science Computer Science