Computer and Information Science MS (Onsite / Online)

Requirements

An individualized program of study is arranged by the student with an advisor during the first semester. All students complete three required computer science courses and a master’s project or thesis course. Combined thesis and project credits cannot exceed six. Elective courses round out the student’s program.

Complete three of four core courses

CIS 522 - Algorithms & Complexity Credits: 3
CIS 560 - Theoretical Comp Science Credits: 3
CIS 570 - Adv Computer Systems Credits: 3
CIS 580 - Paradigmatic Sftware Dev Credits: 3

Complete required project or thesis course

Student on Project Track must complete CIS 600 – Master’s Project 3 credits
Student on Thesis Track must complete CIS 690 – Master’s Thesis 3-6 credits

CIS 690 - Master’s Thesis Credits: variable; .00 to 6.00
CIS 600 - Master’s Project Credits: variable; .00 to 3.00

Select five or six additional CIS 500- or 600-level courses

Courses from another department may be substituted, with prior approval. Students on Project Track select six additional CIS 500- or 600-level courses for 18 credits. Students on Thesis Track may select five or six additional CIS 500- or 600-level courses for 15-18 credits. Combined thesis and project credits cannot exceed six.

Total credits: 30

Additional requirements -

As many as one undergraduate CIS 400-level technical elective (must be taken during the graduate study) may serve as a substitute for a graduate elective, only with prior approval of the Graduate Curriculum Committee and must be completed with a grade of B or better. EGR 500 Graduate Internship course may also count as a graduate elective with prior approval.
No more than six credits of CIS courses, taken by a non-degree student, may subsequently be credited toward the student’s graduate degree.
Students must meet the university graduate requirement of at least a 3.0 grade point average; only courses graded C or better (for graduate courses) may count toward the degree. A grade of B or better is required for an eligible undergraduate course to count towards the MS degree.
Students doing a Master’s Thesis will prepare and defend their thesis to a thesis committee and the public.
Onsite students must enroll in and pass CIS 599 Graduate Seminars for two semesters. In order to pass the course, a minimum of 80% attendance per semester is required. In addition, a one-page report describing at least two seminars attended must be submitted by the end of each semester.