Computer Science, MS
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences offers a Master of Science in Computer Science. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences prepares graduate students for career opportunities in research, technology leadership, and further graduate studies (PhD) in areas related to computer sciences and informatics. Graduates pursue careers in state and federal agencies, private industry, research, teaching, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The program provides rigorous training in computer science with a focus on inquiry, critical thinking, and experimentation.
The curriculum is designed to train students in breadth and depth in Computer Science. To accomplish breadth across the discipline, students take a series of core courses in each of the three broad areas of computer science, Theory, Systems, and Computational Intelligence and Informatics. These courses survey key topics in each area at a level of rigor that builds beyond a typical undergraduate Computer Science curriculum. To accomplish depth within the discipline, students select and take a number of elective courses in their area of interest. Elective courses address advanced topics as well as current topics from the recent research literature in an area of interest. The elective courses also engage students in critical thinking and exercise their experimental skills with a semester project. The research component of the curriculum consists of a two-semester sequence of Graduate Seminar. During the first semester, in Graduate Seminar- Survey, students read selections from the research literature, make presentations on studied topics, and engage in discussion. Graduate Seminar-Survey gives students exposure to the research literature as they begin to develop their area of research interest. During the second semester, Graduate Seminar-Critical Thinking covers experimental design. In Graduate Seminar-Critical Thinking, students examine considerations and methods for posing research questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and discussing results. In addition to dissecting selections from the research literature, students gain experience in applying learned techniques in a semester project. At the end of Graduate Seminar-Critical Thinking, students begin defining their Thesis or Project topic as well as select a research advisor. The last part of the research component is a Master’s Thesis or Project which is performed under the mentorship of the thesis advisor and committee.
If you would like to obtain additional information about the program, including the application, please contact gholness [at] desu.edu (Dr. Gary Holness), Graduate Program Director.