Department of Computer Science

Master of Science in Computer Science

Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Computer Science is designed to provide advanced study and development for students who have a basic understanding of the concepts and methodologies central to professional success in the field. The objectives of the program are to:

  1. Provide students with opportunities to refine their skills and core competencies in Computer Science through the advancement and development of concepts, techniques, and methodologies appropriate in the field.
  2. Facilitate the development of advanced skills in an environment which will en- sure both a realistic and varied exposure to contemporary information processing problems.
  3. Promote the integration and application of cutting edge concepts and approaches in the Computer Science field.

Admission Requirements

For unconditional admission, students must satisfy the following:

  1. A student must have earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
  2. A student must meet the grade point average and test score requirements as follows:
    1. A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 27 semester hours (45 quarter hours).
    2. A minimum composite score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  3. A working knowledge of discrete mathematics. This requires completion of CS 3312 or its equivalent.

Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements. Individuals admitted on a conditional basis may satisfy the requirements for unconditional admission as follows:

  1. Students must have their GRE test score on file with the admissions office by the completion of the FIRST semester in which they are enrolled in CS courses.
  2. Students failing to achieve the minimum composite score of 1000 may satisfy the GRE test requirement by successfully completing 12 semester hours of graduate CS courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  3. Students not having a 2.5 undergraduate grade point average may satisfy the requirement by successful completion of 12 semester hours of graduate CS courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
  4. A student with a bachelor’s degree outside the field of computer and information science may satisfy the bachelor’s degree requirement by completing ALL of the following courses:
    • CS 2244 Computer Science I
    • CS 2260 Computer Science II
    • CS 2261 Foundations in Computer Science
    • CS 3312 – Discrete Mathematics
    • CS 3323 – Data Structures
    • CS 3357 – Logical Structures of Computer Design
    Additional courses may be required by the CS Graduate Advisor depending on the student’s background. A student must complete all courses with a grade point average of 3.0.
  5. Although the GRE must in all cases be taken, students failing to achieve the minimum composite score of 800 may satisfy the test requirement by successfully completing 12 semester hours of graduate CS courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  6. The undergraduate grade point average may be satisfied by successful completion of 12 semester hours of graduate CS courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Degree Options

There are two degree options: thesis and non-thesis. In the thesis option, the student must successfully complete and defend a thesis, as well as, completing other requirements stated below. In the non-thesis option, the student must pass a comprehensive exam and must successfully complete a research project and write a paper about that project.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the program for the M.S. in Computer Science does not constitute official admission to candidacy. The student must be admitted to candidacy for the degree at lest one term prior to the anticipated term of graduation. To be eligible for admission to candidacy, students must meet the following requirements:

Candidacy Requirements

Thesis
  1. Achieve unconditional admission to the program
  2. Complete at least 15 Semester Hours of course work at TROY-Montgomery
  3. Maintain a minimum overall Grade Point Average
  4. Complete an approved thesis proposal
Non-Thesis
  1. Achieve unconditional admission to the program
  2. Complete at least 15 Semester Hours of course work at TROY-Montgomery
  3. Maintain a minimum overall Grade Point Average
  4. Pass the comprehensive examination

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the degree are admission to candidacy, the successful completion of 5 graduate-level core courses and 3-5 elective courses (altogether 30 SHs for the thesis option and 31 SHs for the non-thesis option) with an overall grade point average of 3.0, and successful completion of a candidacy paper or a thesis.

Thesis
  1. Admitted to the candidacy
  2. Complete and successful defend a thesis
  3. Maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA
  4. Complete (altogether) 30 Semester Hours graduate-level courses to include 6 Semester Hours of thesis course CS 6699
Non-Thesis
  1. Admitted to the candidacy
  2. Complete an approved research project proposal
  3. Maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA
  4. Complete altogether 31 Semester Hours of graduate-level courses to 1 Semester Hour of course CS 6699
  5. Complete an approval candidacy project or paper

Approval Process

Thesis Option

The Thesis Proposal and the thesis itself must be approved by a three member department committee-one of whom may be outside of the CS department, CS department chair, Dean of Division of Business and the Graduate Dean.

Non-Thesis Option

The Research Proposal must be approved by the research supervisor. The research project and related paper must be approved by a three member department committee-one of whom may be outside of the CS department, CS department chair, Dean of Division of Business and the Graduate Dean.

In both cases, the research paper or thesis must be submitted to the department two months prior to graduation and must be submitted to the dean of the graduate division office at least two weeks prior to the end of the term.

In the thesis option, three approved copies are necessary. In the non-thesis option, two approved copies are necessary, one of which will be kept by the CS department.

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Other Electives (approved by advisor)

Montgomery Campus Page