Computer Science (MS)
Admission Requirements
Students are not admitted directly into the MS in Computer Science program. However, students admitted to the Computer Science PhD program may, with the approval of the graduate program director, pursue an MS degree. This option is available only to students admitted to the Computer Science PhD program. The MS in Computer Science can be a non-terminal or a terminal degree. The non-terminal degree is for students continuing in the doctoral program. The terminal degree is for students admitted to the doctoral program, but who leave before completing all the work required for a PhD in Computer Science.
The Master of Science program in computer science has three options: a thesis option, a project option, and a coursework-only option.
All work presented to meet the requirements for this degree must be approved by the student's Thesis Committee for the Thesis option or the Graduate Program Director for the project or coursework-only option.
Requirements for an MS in Computer Science
Thesis Option
The thesis option is designed for students who are interested in eventually obtaining a PhD in computer science or for well-qualified students who wish to complete master’s-level research. A discovery-oriented thesis is required in accordance with the criteria listed in the graduate catalog general requirements.
An oral examination will be required of every student in the thesis option. There is no foreign language requirement for graduation.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSI 5010 | Graduate Seminar (2 semesters) | 0 |
| CSI 5310 | Introduction to Computation Theory | 3 |
| CSI 5321 | Advanced Data Communications | 3 |
| CSI 5324 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSI 5335 | Advanced Database | 3 |
| CSI 5350 | Advanced Algorithms | 3 |
| CSI 5V92 | Master's Research | 3 |
| CSI 5V99 | Thesis | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hrs. from the following: | 9 | |
Up to one 5000-level course outside CSI, with approval 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Project Option
The project option is designed for students interested in a terminal master’s degree. It is also appropriate for students who continue working while pursuing the degree.
No oral examination is required for students in the project option. There is no foreign language requirement for graduation.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSI 5010 | Graduate Seminar (2 semesters) | 0 |
| CSI 5310 | Introduction to Computation Theory | 3 |
| CSI 5350 | Advanced Algorithms | 3 |
| CSI 5324 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSI 5321 | Advanced Data Communications | 3 |
| CSI 5335 | Advanced Database | 3 |
| CSI 5V96 | Master's Project 3 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 hrs. from the following: | 12 | |
Up to one 5000-level course outside CSI, with approval 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Coursework-only Option
The coursework-only option is designed for students interested in a terminal master’s degree. It is also appropriate for students who continue working while pursuing the degree.
No oral examination is required for students in the coursework-only option. There is no foreign language requirement for graduation.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSI 5010 | Graduate Seminar (2 semesters) | 0 |
| CSI 5310 | Introduction to Computation Theory | 3 |
| CSI 5350 | Advanced Algorithms | 3 |
| CSI 5324 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSI 5321 | Advanced Data Communications | 3 |
| CSI 5335 | Advanced Database | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 15 hrs. from the following: | 15 | |
Up to one 5000-level course outside CSI, with approval 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
A student’s undergraduate preparation will normally include courses in Data Communications and Operating Systems. For students without prior course work in these areas, one of the following two courses may be taken for graduate credit:
Students should note that only one of these courses may count toward the master’s degree requirements.
- 2
With the approval of the graduate program director, the student may take one 5000-level course from outside the department. No more than one course from outside the department may count toward the master’s degree requirements.
- 3
Candidates in the PhD program who have passed the preliminary examination and who have not received an MS degree in Computer Science from Baylor or another institution may satisfy the CSI 5V96 Master's Project requirement using three (3) hours of CSI 6V90 Special Topics in Computer Science. Graduate Program Director approval and Research Advisor approval are required.