Compsci Masters Program Curriculum and Skills Development

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A Compsci Masters program is a significant investment of time and effort, but it's a great way to take your skills to the next level. You can expect to spend 2 years studying advanced topics in computer science.

The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and rigorous, covering areas such as algorithms, machine learning, and data structures. You'll also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest.

Throughout the program, you'll develop a range of skills that are highly valued by employers, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and programming abilities. These skills will serve you well in your future career.

Some of the key skills you'll develop include proficiency in programming languages such as Python and Java, as well as experience with data analysis and visualization tools.

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Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Computer Science program, you'll need to meet certain admission requirements. You must have two semesters of advanced math in Calculus I and Calculus II, as well as a background course in discrete math.

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Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a STEM field have likely completed the math requirement. However, if you've never taken discrete math, you may not have the proper background for the program.

You'll also need to have programming knowledge in various languages, including C/C++, Java, Python, and HTML. This is in addition to courses in calculus and discrete math.

Some specific pre-requisite course requirements include:

  • Advanced data structures and algorithms, including stacks, queues, trees (B, B+, AVL), graphs and searching for graphs, hashing and external sorting.
  • Operating system structure and services, processor scheduling, concurrent processes, synchronization techniques, memory management, virtual memory, input/output, storage management and file systems.
  • Formal syntactic and semantic descriptions, compilation and implementation issues, and theoretical foundations for several programming paradigms.

If you don't have these topics on your transcript, you can take the prerequisite knowledge exams. However, if you complete the exams with the grade outlined in the respective syllabi, you'll satisfy that prerequisite knowledge requirement.

As a nondegree graduate student, you can begin taking graduate-level computer science courses without being admitted to the master's program. However, if you don't enroll in the semester in which you are admitted, you must submit a new application and pay the application fee.

Program Details

The Master's in Computer Science program is designed to equip students with a solid foundation in computer science concepts, as well as advanced skills in their chosen area of specialization.

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Students can choose from three specializations: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, and Software Development. The program requires a total of 30 credits, which includes foundation courses, major courses, electives, and a capstone project.

Here's a breakdown of the program's credit requirements:

Graduates of the program should be able to communicate computer science concepts and designs effectively, develop efficient algorithmic solutions, and analyze and evaluate the complexity of solutions to real-world problems.

Program Product Requirement

To satisfy the program product requirement, you'll need to develop a software product of significant size and complexity. This can be done through various means, including an undergraduate software engineering course, graduate course programming assignments or projects at UNC, RA programming assignments at UNC, or industrial experience.

You'll need to get approval from two faculty members for the project options. This is a crucial step to ensure that your project meets the program's requirements.

Here are the four ways to satisfy the program product requirement:

  • An undergraduate software engineering course, such as COMP 523,
  • graduate course programming assignments or projects at UNC,
  • RA programming assignments at UNC, or
  • industrial experience (e.g. co-op or summer internship).

The industrial experience must satisfy all of the following:

You'll need to file CS-13 to document completion of the requirement.

Comprehensive Examination

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At the end of the M.S. program of study, students must pass a comprehensive examination, which is a Graduate School requirement.

Students can take either a written or an oral comprehensive exam, and must be registered during the semester in which the exam is taken.

The written form of the M.S. Comprehensive Examination is a comprehensive paper or thesis submitted to satisfy the Writing Requirement, which serves as the written form of the exam.

If outside review option was used for the writing requirement, the paper must be extended to add a comprehensive review of the state of the art.

Passing the Written M.S. Comprehensive Examination can also satisfy the Doctoral Written Examination, should the student choose to continue toward the Ph.D. degree.

Students may opt to take an Oral M.S. Comprehensive Examination instead, but passing it cannot satisfy the Ph.D. Written Examination requirement.

If the student fails the exam, they may retake it once, after a lapse of at least three months, and may elect an oral or a written form for the second examination independently of the form of the first.

For an oral examination, the examining committee will notify the student, in writing, of the scope of the second examination, which may be designated to cover only the area of weakness.

Master of in

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The Master of Science in Computer Science program at VCU Engineering is a solid choice for continuing education. It's ranked among the best graduate programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

The program can be completed in either a non-thesis or thesis option, with 33 credit hours required for the non-thesis option and 30 credit hours for the thesis option. Full-time students can complete the program on-campus.

Students who graduate with a Master's in Computer Science should be able to communicate computer science concepts effectively and professionally. They should also be able to develop efficient and effective algorithmic solutions to real-world problems.

The program requires a total of 30 credits, which includes foundation courses, major courses, electives, and a capstone. The foundation courses account for 9 credits, major courses account for 12 credits, two electives account for 6 credits, and the capstone accounts for 3 credits.

Students can specialize in one of three areas: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, or Software Development. The program is designed to emphasize both theoretical and applied aspects of computer science, encompassing the design, development, and utilization of computers and software.

Coursework

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To pursue a Computer Science Master's degree, you'll need to complete a set of required coursework. This includes programming assignments or projects that demonstrate experience in designing, developing, and documenting software products of significant size and complexity.

You'll also need to have a strong foundation in programming, data structures, machine organization, operating systems, algorithms, probability or statistics, calculus, and other advanced math courses. For example, you should have at least 6 semester credit hours of programming coursework or working knowledge of at least 2 programming languages, including C, C++, or Java.

Some specific courses that are recommended or required include CSE 230: Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming, CSE 310: Data Structures and Algorithms, CSE 330: Operating Systems, and CSE 340: Principles of Programming Languages. You can satisfy the programming requirement through an undergraduate software engineering course, such as COMP 523, or through industrial experience, such as a co-op or summer internship.

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Technical Writing Requirement

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The technical writing requirement is a crucial part of your M.S. program. You must demonstrate the ability to write a professional-quality technical document.

There are three options available to satisfy this requirement. The Comprehensive Paper Option involves writing a project report that includes a comprehensive survey of the literature or a survey and synthesis of a substantial body of work. This paper must be reviewed and approved by two readers, and it must be of M.S. thesis or publication quality.

Students who appear for the PRP exam may be able to extend their PRP written report to satisfy the comprehensive requirement. To do this, they must register for at least three hours, but not more than six hours, of COMP 992. This can be done through a 1-on-1 section with the primary reader or a group class based COMP 992.

The Outside Review Option allows students to use existing technical material to satisfy the writing requirement. This material must be written in the English language, have technical content, and be at least 5,000 words long. Additionally, it must have been reviewed and approved by at least two readers, and the review process must have been unrelated to the writing requirement.

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Documents that satisfy this policy include Ph.D. dissertations and M.S. theses with technical content, as well as most articles published in refereed journals or conference proceedings. However, documents that do not satisfy this policy include term papers and project reports for UNC-CH COMP courses, and papers written primarily to satisfy the option.

Here are the key requirements for the Outside Review Option:

  • The document is written in the English language.
  • The student is the principal author of the document.
  • The document has technical content and is at least 5,000 words long.
  • The document has been reviewed, evaluated, and approved for both style and content by each of at least two readers.
  • The review process was such that the result of a negative review would have been rejection of the document.
  • The review process was unrelated to this writing requirement.

Courses

As you delve into the world of computer science master's courses, you'll find that they're designed to challenge and engage you. You'll choose one course in each of three primary areas of study: theoretical foundations, systems and applications.

The courses you'll take are carefully selected to provide a well-rounded education. You'll have the opportunity to explore topics like statistical machine learning and mobile computing.

In these courses, you'll gain a solid understanding of computer organization and assembly language programming. You'll learn how to design and implement efficient algorithms and data structures.

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Some of the courses you'll take include CSE 230: Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming, CSE 310: Data Structures and Algorithms, CSE 330: Operating Systems, and CSE 340: Principles of Programming Languages.

To get the most out of these courses, it's essential to have a strong foundation in programming. You should have at least 6 semester credit hours of programming coursework or working knowledge of at least 2 programming languages, including C, C++, or Java.

Here's a list of recommended prerequisite courses:

  • Programming (6 semester credit hrs of programming coursework or working knowledge of at least 2 programming languages including C, C++, or Java)
  • Data Structures (3 semester credit hrs or a course that exposes students to basic data structures of linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees)
  • Machine Organization (3 semester credit hrs or a course involving machine organization)
  • Operating Systems (3 semester credit hrs or a course in operating systems)
  • Algorithms (3 semester credit hrs or a course in computer science that requires data structures as a prerequisite)
  • Probability or Statistics (3 semester credit hrs of probability and statistics or an equivalent course)
  • Calculus (6 semester credit hrs of a calculus course)
  • Differential Equations, Linear or Abstract Algebra, or Discrete Math (3 semester credit hrs of upper-level courses in differential equations, linear algebra, abstract algebra, or discrete mathematics)

These courses will provide a solid foundation for your computer science master's program. By completing these prerequisites, you'll be well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is getting a master's worth it in CS?

Getting a master's in Computer Science can be beneficial for those seeking advanced programming expertise, but it's essential to weigh this option against other paths like double majors or minors. Consider your career goals and weigh the benefits of a master's degree in CS against other educational options.

What GPA do you need for UC Irvine MSCS?

To be eligible for the UC Irvine Master of Computer Science program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the program. A B or higher is required in each course.

How long is a CS Masters?

A Master's in Computer Science typically takes 1-2 years to complete, varying by country. Duration may differ depending on your location of study.

Keith Marchal

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Keith Marchal is a passionate writer who has been sharing his thoughts and experiences on his personal blog for more than a decade. He is known for his engaging storytelling style and insightful commentary on a wide range of topics, including travel, food, technology, and culture. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the power of words, Keith's writing has captivated readers all around the world.

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