graduate-computer-science

Master of Science in Computer Science (M.S.)
(30 Semester Hours)

Admission Requirements
The applicant must meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
In addition to these requirements, the student should hold a bachelor's degree
consisting of at least 18 hours of coursework in computer science, the suitability
of courses to be determined by the graduate faculty. The applicant must already
have earned credit for courses equivalent to CSC 116, CSC 216, and CSC 314.

Transfer Credits
A maximum of 6 hours credit may be transferred into the program.

Masters of Science in Computer Science Degree Requirements
1. The student must meet all requirements for the MS degree as set forth by
the Graduate School.
2. The student must earn at least 30 hours of CSC graduate credit (5400- and
6500- level course numbers).
3. There are two options from which the student may choose:
(a) Thesis Option - Of the 30 required hours, 6 must be CSC 6563 and CSC
6564 (Master's Thesis). The thesis should add to or enhance research in
the area of computer science. An oral examination covering general
computer science concepts as well as the student's thesis subject must
be passed.
(b) Project Option - Of the 30 required hours, 3 must be CSC 6560
(Master's Project). The project should demonstrate concepts of current
research in the area of computer science. A paper explaining the
project's goals and results should be submitted. An oral examination
covering general computer science concepts as well as the student's
project must be passed.
4. Of the 30 required hours, at least 15 hours of coursework must be at the
6000 level including CSC 6509, CSC 6522 and CSC 6523.
5. A combined score of 850 on any two of the three sections of the GRE
General Exam is required.

Graduate Computer Science Courses

CSC 5402 Advanced Data Structures 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 216
A study of data structures and algorithms designed for their
implementation. Lists, arrays, stacks, deques, queues, graphs, trees
and tree structures, and various search and sorting techniques will
be covered.

CSC 5404 Programming Language Structures 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 216
Introduction to the principles of programming language design and
implementation, syntax, data types, scope, data abstractions,
concurrency and Object Oriented Programming.

CSC 5405 Introduction to Operations Research 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: instructor's consent
Application of quantitative methods to problems arising in the
areas of business and computing science. [Cross-listed as MAT 5490.]

CSC 5415 Data Base Management Systems 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 216
Design and implementation of a data base management system.
Also to be included is a study of hierarchal, network, inverted and
relational structures, and application of DBMS to file organization
and information retrieval.

CSC 5416 Software Engineering 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisites: CSC 216 and 220
A study of the analysis, design and implementation of major
software systems. Topics include software development life-cycles
and software development product management using the C/C++
language. An exercise in developing a large software product is
central to the course.

CSC 5422 Operating Systems 4 sem. hrs.
Prerequisites: CSC 220, 314
Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. An
introduction to the various data and control structures necessary for
the design and implementation of the modern computer operating
systems. Process creation and control, interprocess communication,
synchronization and concurrency, I/O memory management, and
file systems concepts are explored in the context of the Unix
operating system. A working knowledge of the C programming
language is assumed.

CSC 5423 Computer Networking 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 5422 or CSC 422
This course is a study of the physical and logical components used
in modern computer networks. Topics include: fundamentals of
signaling and data transmission using electromagnetic media, data
encoding, multiplexing, circuit switching, packet switching, LAN
and WAN technologies, internet working concepts, transport
protocols, network security, and distributed applications. May
include programming or laboratory assignments to demonstrate
key concepts.

CSC 5425 Relational Database 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 216
Concepts of relational database theory and design. Topics include:
the relational algebra, relational calculus, dependency theory,
normalization, multi-valued dependency, and concurrency. Database
programming using SQL will be used to implement typical database
applications

CSC 5440 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 5402 or CSC 402
A study of fundamental concepts in AI. The focus is upon
knowledge representation and search, with emphasis on expert
systems. Other topics include machine learning, natural language
understanding, perception, specialized data structures such as
semantic and neural networks, and open problems in the field of AI.
Exercises using the LISP and/or Prolog languages may be assigned.

CSC 5450 Computer Graphics 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 220
An introduction to raster graphics technology. A study of theory
and practice necessary for comprehending the techniques for
scientific visualization, interface design, and two- and three-
dimensional data representation and manipulation.

CSC 5455 Graph Theory 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: MAT 222 or instructor's consent
An introduction to graph theory with a wide variety of
applications, both to other branches of mathematics and to the real
world. Some subjects to be treated are graphs, subgraphs, cycles,
trees, matchings, and planar graphs. [Cross-listed as MAT 5455.]

CSC 5460 Automata Theory and Formal Languages 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 309
A study of languages, grammars, and machines at a theoretical
level. Regular, context free, and context sensitive languages are
covered, as well as finite state, push down and Turing machines.
The concept of decideability is also discussed.

CSC 5481 Numerical Analysis 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: MAT/CSC 381
This course is a mathematical analysis of scientific computing.
Topics covered include the stability and convergence of algorithms,
interval arithmetic, fixed point iteration, matrix factorizations,
norms and eigenvalues; iterative solutions to systems. Additional
discussions will focus on the design of efficient algorithms for use
on parallel computers. [Cross-listed as MAT 5465.]

CSC 6504 Selected Topics 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: instructor's consent
A survey of literature related to a selected area of computer science.

CSC 6505 Selected Topics 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: instructor's consent
A survey of literature related to a selected area of computer science.

CSC 6509 Algorithm Analysis and Design 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 309 or equivalent
A study of data structures and algorithms antd their complexity. NP Completeness is also
covered as well as algorithm reduction and approximate algorithms.

CSC 6522 Topics in Operating Systems 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 5422 or 422 or equivalent
A survey of landmark and recently published papers in the area of
operating systems.

CSC 6523 Topics in Computer Networking 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: CSC 5423 or 423
A study of computer networking theory and application.

CSC 6560 Master's Project 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: Advisor's consent

CSC 6563 Thesis I 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: Approval of prospectus and satisfactory progress as
determined by the advisor. (Eligible for grade of PR only until CSC
6564 is completed; the permanent grade for 6563 and 6564 will be
assigned when the thesis is approved.)

CSC 6564 Thesis II 3 sem. hrs.
Prerequisite: Completion of thesis and oral defense as determined by thesis
committee. Binding Fee. (Eligible for temporary grade PR only until
thesis is completed; a permanent grade will be assigned when the
thesis is completed.)