The Master of Science Program

Computer Science Department

Colorado State University

Effective Fall 2010

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.

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

More information on financial aid and assistantships can be found "here".

Regulations for the M.S. Degree

A minimum of 35 credit hours beyond the B.S. degree, including up to 7 thesis credits. Course credits outside of the CS department must be approved in advance by the graduate committee to count toward this requirement.

Course Requirements:

1. Exactly 2 credit hours of CS692 (BMAC). Satisfactory performance requires at least 70% attendance in all lecture given each semester. If required by a student's committee, a student will prepare and present a seminar.
2. 3 credit hours (500 level or higher) outside of the CS department (See restrictions below).
3. 4 regular credit hours at the 600 level within the CS department. CS692, CS695, CS696 and CS699 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
4. 4 credit hours at the 500 level in each of the three course groups (12 credit hours total; see course groups and restrictions below).
5. In addition to requirement #1-#4 above, students need a minimum of 14 more credit hours. Up to 7 of these may be thesis credits. The remaining credits must be regular credit hours at the 400-level or above within the CS department, or 500-level or in another department. (See restrictions below). 500-level independent study projects are acceptable, if approved by the graduate committee.

Additional Requirements:

• An M.S. thesis and defense.

Additional Restrictions:

• All out of department courses applied toward requirement #2 or requirement #5 must be approved by the Graduate Committee.
• All regular courses must use conventional grading; no pass/fail options allowed.

Course groups

To encourage breadth, courses are grouped into three groups as follows:

Group I (AI & Theory):

• CS510 (Image Computation)
• CS520 (Analysis of Algorithms)
• CS540 (Artificial Intelligence)
• CS545 (Machine Learning)

• CS530 (Fault Tolerant Computing)
• CS551 (Principles of Operating Systems)
• CS553 (Algorithmic Language Compilers)
• CS555 (Distributed Systems)
• CS557 (Advanced Networking)
• CS560 (Foundations of Fine-Grain Parallelism)
• CS570 (Advanced Computer Architecture)
• CS575 (Parallel Processing)
• CS557 (Advanced Networking)

• CS514 (Software Product and Process Evaluation)
• CS517 (Software Specification and Design)
• CS518 (Distributed Software System Development)
• CS533 (Database Management Systems)
• CS556 (Computer Security)

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. 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.

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.