Computer Science, M.S.

Dr. Zhijiang Dong, Program Director
(615) 904-8428
Zhijiang.Dong@mtsu.edu

The Department of Computer Science offers the Master of Science with a major in Computer Science and a minor at the graduate level. The department also offers courses and participates in the Ph.D. in Computational Science. In addition, the department offers the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program allowing exceptional undergraduate students an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years by enrolling in the program during their junior year. Students interested in this program should contact the graduate program director for additional information.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Computer Science program requires a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination score. Applicants with a 3.3 or higher undergraduate GPA for all computer science courses taken at MTSU (which must include at least 15 upper-division CSCI hours), are not required to submit a GRE score for admission to the graduate program.

Applicant must also meet the following requirements:

have completed CSCI 1170, 2170, 3080, 3110, 3130, and 3240 or equivalent of each course;
have completed MATH 1910 and 2050 or equivalent of each course.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE);
submit official transcripts showing an acceptable GPA in previous academic work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Computer Science requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours.

Two options are available: The Thesis Option and the Non-Thesis Option. Students pursuing either option must meet the following requirements:

complete
CSCI 5700
if he or she did not complete CSCI 4700 or an equivalent course as an undergraduate;
complete
CSCI 5560
if he or she did not complete CSCI 4560 or an equivalent course as an undergraduate;
complete
CSCI 6620
as part of their required 30 hours (Thesis option) or 36 hours (Non-Thesis option).

Curriculum: Computer Science

The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 9 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements.

Candidate must complete 30 (thesis option) or 36 (non-thesis option) hours in the following curriculum. Prior approval from the graduate advisor is required if a candidate wants to pursue more than minimum hours.

Thesis Option (30-36 hours)

The Master of Science in Computer Science requires completion of at least 30 hours of graduate coursework in the thesis option. A minimum of 27 hours of coursework (excluding CSCI 6640 ) is required. A minimum of 1 hour, but not more than 9 hours of CSCI 6640 must be taken for this option. Students must present an oral defense of the thesis. A minimum of 21 hours must be at the 6000 level.

Non-thesis Option (36 hours)

The Master of Science in Computer Science requires completion of a minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework in the non-thesis option. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination. Credit for CSCI 6640 may not be included in the 36 hours. A minimum of 24 hours must be at the 6000 level.

Notes

A student already holding a master’s degree from MTSU may complete a second master’s degree in Computer Science by satisfying either of the above options with a minimum of 27 semester hours. A minimum of 18 hours must be at the 6000 level.

With the approval of the Computer Science graduate faculty, a maximum of 12 semester hours of residence credit (maximum of 6 in Computer Science) may be transferred from another institution and applied to the master’s degree.

Program Notes

Candidate must

complete at least 24 semester hours of graduate computer science courses at MTSU;
file a degree plan with the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
take all courses in the Computer Science Department with the following possible exceptions:
1. with the prior approval of the Computer Science graduate faculty, a maximum of 6 hours of cognate courses may come from departments other than Computer Science;
2. with the approval of the candidate’s graduate advisor, a single minor up to 12 semester hours may be included. Such a minor must also be approved by the department offering the minor.
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.