Computer Science, MS
Program Description
The Master of Science with a major in Computer Science is designed to prepare graduate professionals who can apply the necessary knowledge of computing to information requirements of organizations in business, government, industry and education. The program provides for the education of individuals who will develop, maintain, or manage complex computer-based information systems.
The program provides the experienced professional with up-to-date specialized knowledge while developing those analytical skills necessary to stay abreast of the changing field of computing. The program also provides the recent baccalaureate graduate with additional applied and advanced knowledge, thus facilitating a more useful contribution to his/her career path.
Fast Track Computer Science BS to Computer Science MS
The university allows the opportunity for high-achieving undergraduate students to count a select number of graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree and thereby obtain a graduate degree at an accelerated pace. Students interested in the Fast Track in Computer Science should see the undergraduate catalog.
Program Goal
Prepare students to pursue careers in industry, academia, and government by offering a state of the art curriculum and advanced knowledge.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the time of graduation students will attain:
- the ability for effective oral and written communication of complex ideas to diverse audiences, and
- skills to efficiently solve complex problems from various domains with computers, and
- the ability to comprehend and apply state-of-the-art in the field, and
- an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, and security issues and responsibilities, and the societal impact of computing.
Chronological Procedure Leading to the MS Degree
- Completion of a degree plan
Upon admission to the MS degree program in computer science, and prior to enrollment in any course, the student must contact the Graduate Academic Advisor in the College of Science & Engineering to have a degree plan completed. The student will then be assigned a faculty advisor from the computer science faculty. Students should seek the advice of their faculty advisor on a regular basis about their progress toward their degree. - Progress toward the degree
Once admitted to the graduate degree program in computer science, a student must complete at least six semester hours of credit per year toward the degree until the degree is completed. Failure to make this minimum progress will result in dismissal from the degree program with possible readmission based on the catalog in effect at the time of readmission. A student who is actively pursuing a graduate project or thesis and has completed all other course work for the degree will be given relief from this requirement, but must register continuously for the project or thesis until it is completed. - Thesis or Courses Only
Thesis Option
Students choosing the thesis option must obtain permission from their faculty advisor (who will chair their committee) to register for COSC 5398 Thesis I (3 sch), which should be taken in the next to last semester. During the first month of Thesis I, the student and their advisor should determine the thesis committee. This committee consists of at least three full-time Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi graduate faculty members, two of which must be in computer science.
While taking Thesis I, the student will develop a written proposal of the thesis work and present the proposal for approval. Upon approval, the student may then register for COSC 5399 Thesis II (3 sch). The student must then continually register for COSC 5399 Thesis II (3 sch) until completion of their thesis. If the student fails to register for COSC 5399 Thesis II (3 sch) or fails their final examination, a grade of No Credit will be assigned to COSC 5398 Thesis I (3 sch) and all COSC 5399 Thesis II (3 sch) courses and the student must begin the process again.
While taking COSC 5399 Thesis II (3 sch), the student will produce a written thesis that discusses their work. A draft copy of the thesis will be given to all committee members and the student will make any changes required by the committee. Upon approval of the thesis committee chair, the student may schedule their final oral examination. The thesis will be published and archived in the Mary & Jeff Bell library. Guidelines for writing the thesis are available in the Computer Science office.
Course Only Option
Students must take all required courses along with their chosen electives with at least two courses from each elective group. COSC 6370 Advanced Software Engineering (3 sch) is taken in the final semester. - Final examination (Thesis Option)
After the student has completed all other requirements for the MS degree in computer science, the student must schedule an oral exam over his/her graduate program of study. The oral exam will be administered by the graduate thesis committee and will focus heavily on the thesis itself.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://gradschool.tamucc.edu/degrees/science/computer_science.html
Campus Address:
Center for Instruction, Room 301
Phone: (361) 825-2474
Mailing Address:
Computer Science Program, Unit 5825
College of Science and Engineering
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5825
Admission Requirements
- In addition to meeting all University requirements, students seeking admission to the graduate degree program in computer science must submit the following to the Office of Research and Graduate Admissions:
- An application and application fee
- Transcripts from regionally accredited institutions (international students will be required to submit relevant international transcripts)
- An essay (500-1000 words) discussing why you wish to get a Master’s degree and your areas of interest
- GRE scores (within five years of the date of application)
- International students must show English language proficiency through either TOEFL or IELTS exam and additional documents to Graduate Admissions.
- A student entering the program is expected to have adequate preparation in computer science and mathematics from their undergraduate degree. For computer science, this preparation must include successful completion of coursework in data structures, a high level programming language, computer architecture, operating systems, and software engineering. In mathematics, students must have successfully completed course work in discrete mathematics, calculus, plus one additional junior level or higher mathematics course such as linear algebra, numerical analysis, or applied probability and statistics.
Students who have not successfully completed the above courses may be required to take leveling courses in any missing subjects. All leveling courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better. In addition, students can take no more than 9 credits towards their degree prior to completing all leveling courses.
Program Requirements
Requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science degree may be met through one of two options: Thesis Option (Option I) or Course Only Option (Option II). The Thesis Option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and the Course Only Option requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. The Thesis Option allows for maximum flexibility in choosing elective courses. This option allows the student to concentrate on a particular field or area of computer science. The Course Only Option allows for flexibility in choosing elective courses but requires the student to take at least two electives from each of the three elective concentration tracks. The concentration tracks are Software and Programming, Data Sciences, and Cyber Science.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
COSC 6334 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
COSC 6351 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 |
COSC 6352 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 |
Thesis or Course Option | ||
Select one of the following options: | 21-27 | |
Option 1 - Thesis | ||
Select a minimum of 12 hours of electives to support thesis | ||
Research Methods in Computer Science | ||
Thesis I | ||
Thesis II | ||
Select electives that will support the student’s thesis | ||
Option II - Course | ||
Select a minimum of 24 hours, with at least 6 credits hours from each concentration track | ||
Advanced Software Engineering (Must be taken in last semester) | ||
Select electives across different areas of computer science, and must take at least two courses from each of the concentration tracks | ||
Concentration Tracks | ||
Software and Programming | ||
Human-Computer Interaction | ||
Compiler Design and Construction | ||
Theory of Computation | ||
Parallel Computing | ||
Parallel Algorithms | ||
Mobile Software Development | ||
Current Trends in Programming | ||
Data Science | ||
Digital Image Processing | ||
Computer Vision | ||
Introduction to Computer Graphics | ||
Advanced Computer Graphics | ||
Database Management Systems | ||
Data Mining | ||
Machine Learning | ||
Deep Learning | ||
Advanced Topics in DBMS | ||
Artificial Intelligence | ||
Data Analytics | ||
Cyber Science | ||
Data Communications and Networking | ||
Wireless Sensor Networks | ||
Computer Forensics | ||
Information Assurance | ||
Network Security | ||
Applied Cryptography | ||
Advanced Information Assurance | ||
Total Hours | 30-36 |
Electives
Electives are chosen by the student but are subject to approval by the student’s graduate faculty advisor. For the Thesis Option, electives should be taken that will support the student’s thesis. For the Course Only Option, students must obtain breadth by taking electives across different areas of computer science, and must take at least two courses from each of the concentration tracks. Electives not listed in the concentration tracks may also be taken to fulfill remaining credit hours.
No more than six hours of approved electives may come from courses taken at another university or from outside of computer science. Credit from a master’s degree earned at another institution will not be applied to a second master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. A maximum of six hours of approved Directed Independent Study may count toward the MS degree.
Courses
* May be taken concurrently.