The Master of Computer Science Program
Computer Science Department
Colorado State University
Requirements Effective Fall 2010
The Computer Science Department at Colorado State University offers a
program of study leading to the Master of Computer Science Degree.
This is a professional, course work only, degree (as
opposed to the more research-oriented Master of Science degree).
This program may be completed, in whole or in part, by means of
online course work offered through the CSU Computer Science Department.
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/architecture,
data structures and algorithms, program/software design methodology, theoretical
foundations, and operating systems design concepts.
- 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.
At this university CS160, CS161, CS200, CS253, CS270, CS320,
CS314, CS370, MATH160, MATH161, MATH229, and STAT301 or STAT315
cover prerequisite 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:
The GRE is strongly recommended but not required for MCS applicants.
Requirements for the M.C.S. Degree
The MCS is a course work only degree. No exams or research projects,
beyond those required in courses, are required:
- The Master of Computer Science degree is a professional, Plan C Masters
degree (course work only), to be completed with a minimum of 35 hours of
graduate course credit. No independent study credit of any
kind may count in this degree. Course credits outside of the CS department must be
approved in advance by the graduate committee to count toward this requirement.
Note that most computer science courses carry four credit hours each.
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.
- All regular courses must use conventional grading; no pass/fail options allowed.
At least 24 credits must be earned at CSU, 21 of which must be earned after admission.
14 Credits may be earned prior to admission and potentially count towards the degree.
Entering graduate students are advised by the standard faculty MCS Advisory
Committee.
By the end of the second term in the program, each student
will have planned a program of study approved by the advisory
committee. This involves submitting a completed Graduate School GS-6 form
to the Graduate School with appropriate departmental signatures.
Graduate School forms may be found here.
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.