Computer Science, M.S.: 30 units

Offered by: College of Science, Computer Science Department

Major Required Major Electives

Culminating Experience

The Master of Science program in Computer Science provides an opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of hardware and software themes. Students will also learn how to analyze and formulate solutions for many advanced problems which occur in computer systems. The program stresses technical competence and encourages the student in independent work and judgment.

www.cpp.edu/~sci/computer-science/prospective-graduate-students/

Daisy Tang, Chair
Gilbert Young, Graduate Coordinator

Admission to the Program

1. Applicants seeking unconditional admission must have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or closely related field with a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses or the most recent 90 quarter units (60 semester units) attempted, and have successfully completed courses covering the following topics with a GPA of 3.0 or better:
   
   18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics
   
   18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Object-Oriented Programming, Discrete Structures and Logic, Data Structures, and Computer Organization and Digital Design
   
   18 upper division quarter units (12 upper division semester units) including Language Translation and Automata, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, and Software Engineering.

 

2. Applicants who do not meet unconditional admission but have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 2.8 may seek conditional admission. Conditional admission requires successful completion of courses covering the following topics with a GPA of 3.0 or better:
   
   18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics
   
   18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Object-Oriented Programming, Discrete Structures and Logic, Data Structures, and Computer Organization and Digital Design
   
   Students in conditional standing must satisfactorily complete a prescribed list of upper division courses before becoming eligible for unconditional graduate standing.

Applicants whose native language is not English and who hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university where the principal language of instruction was not English must have passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam with a minimum score of 6.5 or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based, or 550 on the paper-based, or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL.   Per CSU Admissions and SEVIS Policy, international students attending the University on a visa requiring issuance of an I-20 may not be conditionally admitted and must meet all requirements prior to gaining admission to the University.

Requirements

Students are urged to know the general scholastic requirements described in the “Graduate Studies - General Information ” section of the catalog.

All graduate students must meet with the program coordinator and prepare a study list that will define all courses and other requirements to be completed for the degree.

No more than 9 semester units of acceptable graduate credit may be transferred from another graduate institution. No more than 9 semester units taken through Extended University may be used on a contract. No more than 9 semester units of acceptable graduate credit may be petitioned by an undergraduate student.

A total limit of 9 semester transfer, Extended University, and/or units petitioned for graduate credit may be included on a master’s contract. The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all of the above. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in all upper-division undergraduate and all graduate courses.

Admission to the program does not admit a student to candidacy for a degree. Advancement to Candidacy is granted to an unconditional student, having passed the Graduation Writing Test (GWT) and upon the recommendation of his/her faculty advisor, and implies a readiness to attempt thesis. The candidate must be enrolled during the quarter of graduation.