2017 – 2018
Graduate Catalog
Computer Science, M.S.
College of Science & Engineering
Computer Science, M.S.
The Master of Science with a major in Computer Science is designed to prepare graduate professionals who can apply the necessary knowledge of computing to information requirements of organizations in business, government, industry and education. The program provides for the education of individuals who will develop, maintain, or manage complex computer-based information systems.
The program provides the experienced professional with up-to-date specialized knowledge while developing those analytical skills necessary to stay abreast of the changing field of computing. The program also provides the recent baccalaureate graduate with additional applied and advanced knowledge, thus facilitating a more useful contribution to his/her career path.
Domestic Students:
Final deadline for receipt of complete applications:
| Fall | Spring | Summer I | Summer II |
| July 15 | December 8 | Not Offered | Not Offered |
International Students:
Final deadline for receipt of complete applications:
| Fall | Spring | Summer I | Summer II |
| May 1 | December 8 | Not Offered | Not Offered |
*Complete application should be received for full admissions and funding consideration
Application requirements
| Complete Application for Admission: |
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| Application fee: |
Please Note: Applicants who wish to apply for a different program will be required to submit a new application. The application processing fee is required for each application submitted. |
| Requirements: |
Application requirements specific to this program :
*Please allow 3-5 business days to receive Student ID before submitting additional supporting documents. Submit all supporting documents online. |
| Additional International Applicant Requirements |
Application requirements for international applicants:
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Requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science degree may be met through one of two options: Thesis Option (Option I) or Project Only Option (Option II).
The Thesis Option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and the Project Only Option requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Both options share the same 9 credit hour core. The Thesis Option allows for maximum flexibility in choosing elective courses. This option allows the student to concentrate on a particular field or area of computer science.
The Project Only Option also allows for flexibility in choosing elective courses but requires the student to take at least one elective from each of the three elective concentration tracks. The concentration tracks are Software and Programming, Scientific Computing and Visualization, and Networking and Security.
Requirements for Option I Thesis Option:
Thesis:
Requirements for Option II Project Option:
Additional Required Course:
Project:
Core Courses (9 credit hours)
Electives are chosen by the student but are subject to approval by the student’s graduate faculty mentor. For the Thesis Option, electives should be taken that will support the student’s thesis. For the Project Only Option, students must obtain breadth by taking electives across different areas of computer science, and must take at least one course from each of the concentration tracks. Electives not listed in the concentration tracks may be taken to fulfill remaining credit hours.
No more than six hours of approved electives may come from courses taken at another university or from outside of computer science. Credit from a master’s degree earned at another institution will not be applied to a second master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. A maximum of six hours of approved Directed Independent Study may count toward the MS degree.
Concentration Tracks
The Thesis Option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and the Project Only Option requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. Both options share the same 9 credit hour core. The Thesis Option allows for maximum flexibility in choosing elective courses. This option allows the student to concentrate on a particular field or area of computer science.
The Project Only Option also allows for flexibility in choosing elective courses but requires the student to take at least one elective from each of the three elective concentration tracks. The concentration tracks are Software and Programming, Scientific Computing and Visualization, and Networking and Security.
Requirements for Option I Thesis Option:
| Minimum number of credit hours: | 30 |
| Core | 9 sem. hrs. |
| Electives | Minimum of 12 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5393 Research Methods in Computer Science | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5398 Thesis I | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5399 Thesis II | 3 sem. hrs. |
| Minimum number of credit hours: | 36 |
| Core | 9 sem. hrs. |
| Electives | Minimum of 21 sem. hrs., with at least 3 credit hours from each concentration track |
Additional Required Course:
| COSC 5370 Advanced Software Engineering | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5395 Graduate Project and Technical Report | 3 sem. hrs. |
Core Courses (9 credit hours)
| COSC 5334 Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5351 Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5352 Advanced Operating Systems | 3 sem. hrs. |
No more than six hours of approved electives may come from courses taken at another university or from outside of computer science. Credit from a master’s degree earned at another institution will not be applied to a second master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. A maximum of six hours of approved Directed Independent Study may count toward the MS degree.
Concentration Tracks
A. Software and Programming
| COSC 5330 - Programming Languages | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5336 - Database Management Systems | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5348 - Expert Systems | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5350 - Advanced Topics in DBMS | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5353 - Compiler Design and Construction | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5356 - Theory of Computation | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5362 - Mobile Software Development | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5365 - Current Trends in Programming | 3 sem. hrs. |
B. Scientific Computing and Visualization
| COSC 5327 - Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5328 - Advanced Computer Graphics | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5340 - Human-Computer Interaction | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5345 - System Simulation and Modeling | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5354 - Artificial Intelligence | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5360 - Parallel Computing | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5361 - Parallel Algorithms | 3 sem. hrs. |
C. Networking and Security
| COSC 5355 - Data Communications and Networking | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5357 - Wireless Sensor Networks | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5374 - Computer Forensics | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5375 - Information Assurance | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5376 - Network Security | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5377 - Applied Cryptography | 3 sem. hrs. |
| COSC 5379 - Advanced Information Assurance | 3 sem. hrs. |
For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the Business Office's website.
Teaching Assistantships, graduate research assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships may be available to graduate students admitted as degree-seeking students who maintain full time graduate student status (9 hours/fall and spring semesters, and 3 hours/summer). The completed Teaching Assistant Application (http://sci.tamucc.edu/students/gradfunding.html) and all other materials requested for evaluation should be submitted to the office indicated on that form. For full consideration, the deadline for submitting applications is February 1 for the following academic year. Faculty members conducting funded research projects often hire qualified graduate students as Research Assistants. Students should contact faculty members in their field of interest for information on these opportunities. Summer funding (3 mos.) is the responsibility of major advisor and/or student, and should be discussed early in the academic year.
Additional Information
- Persons seeking admission to the program should first contact the program faculty and identify a faculty member, or members, willing to serve as the graduate supervisor, and the applicant must include a summary of their discussions with faculty members in their essay. Applicants will not be admitted to the program without a graduate supervisor. Faculty profiles are found at the program website:http://sci.tamucc.edu/member.php?who=all&program=csci
- If you would like to learn more about the Computer Science MS Program, please visit the Program website found at: http://sci.tamucc.edu/CSCI/COSC/masters.html.
- If you'd like to learn more about the College of Science and Engineering, please visit the College website.
Contact for More Information:
