The Master of Science Program
Computer Science Department
Colorado State University
The Computer Science Department at Colorado State University offers a
program of study leading to the Master of Science Degree in Computer
Science. Possible areas of emphasis are detailed in the
"Research Page".
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 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 3.2 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, CS301,
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.
Competence to do graduate work in computer science must be demonstrated in
one or more of the following ways:
- A bachelor's degree in computer science.
- A bachelor's degree in another subject with an official
minor in computer science.
- An adequate score on the GRE Subject test in Computer Science.
- Having taken all of the above-listed courses or their equivalents.
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.
Financial Support and Fees
All admissible applicants will be considered for a teaching or research
assistantship on a competitive basis. Assistantships carry a monthly
stipend for half-time duties. Summer support may be available.
More information on financial aid and assistantships can be found
"here".
Requirements for the M.S. Degree
In addition to the University imposed requirements for the
Master of Science degree, the Department requires the following:
- Thesis: at least 39 credit hours of graduate course work,
including up to eight credits of CS699, and a thesis. This
plan is strongly recommended for students who intend to
apply to the Ph.D. program.
Note that computer science courses carry four credit hours each.
For the MS the following rules apply:
- 20 regular computer science credits (excluding CS692,
CS695, CS699, CS795 and CS799) in the 500 or 600 level
must be included. At least one course must be at the
600-level.
- All regular prerequisite and graduate course work will
receive conventional grades (no pass/fail option).
- At least three credit hours must be earned in a graduate-level
course from another department; this work must be approved in
advance by the student's advisory committee.
- No course below the 400 level carries graduate credit.
CS486, CS495 and CS496 may not be included for graduate credit.
- Each full-time on-campus graduate student will enroll in CS692
(seminar) for at least two semesters for one credit each semester.
One credit hour from CS692 may apply toward degree requirements.
Satisfactory performance requires at least 70% attendance in all
lectures given each semester. If required by the student's
advisory committee, a student will prepare and present a seminar.
Students should obtain and review the University requirements
for the Master of Science program upon entering graduate study.
Each M.S. candidate is responsible for adherence to all Colorado
State University regulations for graduate study.
Entering graduate students are assigned a temporary advisor. The University
requires that after two semesters of study or 12 credit hours earned,
a graduate student will have selected an advisory committee (an advisor,
one or two additional Computer Science faculty members, and one faculty
member from another department) and will have planned a program
of study approved by the advisory committee.
Each student must pass an oral final examination whose content
centers on (but is not limited to) the student's thesis. This examination
is open to Department faculty and graduate students.
Students must also submit a Report of Final Examination Results
form to the Graduate School. These must be completed by the Graduate
School deadline in the semester the student will receive the M.S. degree.
A student must supply the Graduate School
with two copies of the thesis as approved by the advisory committee.
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. Satisfactory progress toward
completion of thesis is also required. 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.S. program.