The goal of the Master of Science in Computer Science program is to prepare specialists for leadership positions in technology for industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector and to provide these leaders with the ability to forge new solutions to technical problems. On completion of the program, the graduate will be able to identify and address problems within an organization for which computer science is particularly applicable. Further, graduates will be able to clearly and effectively articulate their approach and findings to other professionals in their field in both written and oral forms.

Leaders in technology must be able to express themselves clearly and compellingly if they are to affect change in their organizations. Thus, the program has a strong emphasis on the development and demonstration of the ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats with their peers. Students will be provided with opportunities in each course to develop and hone these skills.

Each candidate for admission will receive a personal assessment of the likelihood of his or her success in this graduate program and of the probable contribution that the candidate will make to his or her organization after graduation.

Among the criteria that will be included in this assessment are:

• A four year undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related field.
• Students must have completed undergraduate courses in the following areas:
• At least one functional programming language (C, Pascal etc.)
• At least one object oriented language (C++, Java, Delphi etc.)
• At least one data structures course.
• At least 12 semester credits of mathematics (including courses in calculus and algebra)
• The candidate's personal statement of his or her reason for pursuing a graduate degree, the reason for selecting this particular program, and how the candidate's background has prepared the applicant for success in the program and the business world after graduation.
• Two letters of reference attesting to the applicant's experience and abilities and readiness for graduate studies.
• The results of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are not required for admission to the program. The candidate may, however, wish to submit such scores in support of his or her application.
• Candidates whose undergraduate degree was completed in a language other than English must submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores as a part of their admissions materials.
  

It is expected that students will take two courses per term throughout their programs. Participation in a co-operative work experience will be a part of the program to ensure that students are able to successfully function in the world of computer science and to help provide the funds necessary to cover the costs of graduate education.

The program length is 18 months, and the expectation is that students will complete in this length of time. Should extenuating circumstances arise, the time-to-completion may be extended to as much as four years at the request of the student and with the approval of the Dean.

The program consists of 36 credits as follows:

6 credits of Foundation Courses

12 credits of Core I Courses

6 credits of Core II Courses

6 credits of Elective Courses

6 credits in a Capstone Course

The initial and required two Foundation Courses have been designed to acquaint all students with the latest thinking and developments in technology and management as they affect business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. No student will be exempt from these courses. Students next move to a set of four Core I Courses designed to provide a basic foundation for work in computer science. Students next move to a choice of two Core II Courses to further deepen their abilities. Finally, students move to their own selection of two Elective Courses. Core II and Elective Courses are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor in order to provide students with the specialized, focused training they need to equip them for their own career paths. Finally, each student completes the Capstone Course in which what has been learned in all of the student's program is brought together into a final project.

Foundation Courses (6 credits) *

MGMT 510 Business in the Global Environment
TECH 510 Technology in the Global Environment

Core I Courses (12 credits)

CMSC 501 Structure of Programming Languages
CMSC 507 Database Theory
CMSC 508 Operations Research
CMSC 512 Computer Architecture

Core II Courses (choose two courses; 6 credits)

CMSC 509 Software Methodology
CMSC 518 Data Communications Theory
CMSC 524 Principles of Programming Languages
CMSC 528 Data Structures
CMSC 530 Operating Systems
CMSC 571 Artificial Intelligence

Elective Courses (select any two courses; 6 credits) **

CMSC 541 Computer Graphics
CMSC 552 Current Developments in Computer Science I
CMSC 553 Current Developments in Computer Science II
CMSC 576 Expert Systems
CMSC 598 Directed Research
INST 569 Data and System Security
INST 574 Management Information Systems
INST 587 Special Topics in Information Technology I
INST 588 Special Topics in Information Technology II
TECH 580 Technology in the Business Enterprise

Capstone Course (6 credits) ***

CMSC 599 Computer Science Project (6)

TOTAL: 36 credits

* Foundation Courses must be taken during the student's first semester in the program.

** Elective Courses are offered on a rotating basis; not all courses will be available during any given academic year.

*** The Capstone Course and project must be completed during the last semester of the program.