The Master of Computer Science Program

Computer Science Department

Colorado State University

Entrance Requirements

All Applicants are expected to have the academic preparation necessary to do graduate level work in computer science at the time of admission. This preparation consists in possessing at least the following:

• An understanding of computer organization, computer architecture, data structures, program design, theoretical foundations, and operating systems.
• A working knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, introductory probability, applied statistics, and discrete structures.
• An overall GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, and a GPA of at least 3.2 in Computer Science and Mathematics course work.

Undergraduate course work is the usual method of obtaining and demonstrating these requirements. Some beginning graduate courses require additional background, e.g. in mathematics or digital hardware design.

The CSU Computer Science Department does not offer these background courses to distance learners. Students may be able to find equivalent online courses elsewhere.

Admission Procedures

An application checklist can be found at "here".

Once the Department receives a complete application, the admissions committee reviews the application and promptly notifies the applicant of their decision.

Students may be admitted for fall or spring semesters.

NOTE ON GRE for MCS applicants:

Only those applicants who are not US residents and who are required to take the TOEFL (see application checklist referenced above) are required to take the GRE. The GRE is not required for MCS applicants who are native English speakers.

Requirements for the M.C.S. Degree

• The Master of Computer Science degree is a professional, Plan C Masters degree (course work only), to be completed with a minimum of 39 hours of graduate course credit. No independent study credit of any kind may count in this degree.

The following rules apply:

• 20 regular computer science credits (excluding CS692, CS695, CS699, CS795 and CS799) in the 500 or 600 level taken at CSU, must be included.
• All regular prerequisite and graduate course work will receive conventional grades (no pass/fail option).
• No course below the 400 level carries graduate credit. CS486, CS495 and CS496 may not be included for graduate credit.

The Graduate School reviews all graduate students each semester to assure that satisfactory progress is being made toward completing degree requirements. A grade below C or a semester GPA below 3.0 is unsatisfactory progress.

The Graduate Committee will make recommendations to students not making satisfactory progress to rectify any problems. Continued unsatisfactory performance constitutes grounds for dismissal from the M.C.S. program.