Computer Science
Covering theory and practice, the Master of Science (MS) in computer science includes every aspect of the discipline from big data analysis to computer graphics, providing a variety of career opportunities in the field.
Computer Science Program Overview
Offered on campus and online, the MS in computer science is the systematic study of computing systems and computation. The program focuses on knowledge related to theories for understanding computing systems as well as methods, design methodologies, algorithms and tools used in software development. The program also encompasses methods for testing software, method of analysis and verification, knowledge representation and implementation, and ways of understanding what computing can and cannot do. The program is structured for both students and professionals.
This degree helps you to expand your knowledge and experience in computer science, providing you opportunities to work with computing systems, solve problems, build software and watch it work, and gain more understanding of design methodology.
ECU Advantage
The small size of our program means you will receive individual attention throughout your studies. The degree can be completed on campus or online, allowing working professionals to balance personal responsibilities and professional goals. A variety of electives allows you to tailor your education to your specific needs. A required project or thesis under the direction of faculty allows you to explore theories and practices in the field. Job prospects and salaries for graduates are very good with job growth and salaries expected to climb through the end of the decade.
What You Will Study
Core Requirements:
I. Admission Requirements
Applicants to this program are required to follow the admissions requirements and process as stated in the admission and readmission section of the graduate catalog and the graduate admissions website. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3. 0 is required for regular admission. Those who do not meet the requirement may be admitted by exception. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Nonnative speakers must submit an acceptable score on one of the language tests approved by the Graduate School or have evidence of at least 1 year of college/university study in the United States.
Students whose bachelor's degrees are in engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, or similar analytic and quantitative disciplines may be required to complete additional courses before being admitted to the degree, such as discrete mathematics and data structures, as recommended by the graduate program director.
II. Degree Requirements
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be submitted for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as C may be counted toward the degree.
The degree requires a minimum of 30 s.h. as follows:
A. Core - 9 s.h.
At least three courses must be taken from the following list of core courses, one taken from each category:
1. Foundation
- CSCI 6100 - Cryptography and Information Security
- CSCI 6410 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- CSCI 6510 - Distributed Computing
- CSCI 6840 - Data Mining
2. Systems
- CSCI 6020 - Machine Learning
- CSCI 6025 - Intelligent Systems
- CSCI 6120 - Computer Systems Architecture
- CSCI 6600 - Database Management Systems
3. Software
- SENG 6230 - Software Engineering Foundations
- SENG 6235 - Software Project Management
- SENG 6265 - Foundations of Software Testing
- SENG 6285 - Cloud Computing
B. Options - 21 s.h.
Select one of the following options:
1. Thesis (6 s.h. of CSCI 7000 ) and electives (15 s.h.)
A thesis is required for this option. Students summarize their research in the form of a formal written document and deliver an oral presentation. Thesis research is typically conducted over two semesters. Six (6 s.h.) count toward the degree requirements.
Fifteen (15) s.h. of 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses and 6000-level software engineering (SENG) elective courses are required for this option. The semester hours from SENG courses must not exceed three (3).
To select electives, go to the list of CSCI and SENG electives in part III.
- CSCI 7000 - Thesis
2. Project (3 s.h. of CSCI 6995) and electives (18 s.h.)
A research project with a written report is required for this option. Students select topics for their projects in consultation with research advisors prior to the beginning of the last semester of study. The project involves collecting research literature on a topic of interest, critically examining it, and summarizing the research in the form of a formal technical report. This option may also involve developing software systems or proof of concept systems. Students must deliver an oral presentation of their findings. The research project is typically completed during the last semester of study.
Eighteen (18) s.h. of 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses and 6000-level software engineering (SENG) elective courses are required for this option. The semester hours from SENG courses must not exceed six (6).
To select electives, go to the list of CSCI and SENG electives in part III.
- CSCI 6995 - Research Project
3. Coursework (21 s.h. of electives only)
Twenty-one (21) s.h. of 6000-level computer science (CSCI) courses and 6000-level software engineering (SENG) elective courses are required for this option. The semester hours from SENG courses must not exceed six (6).
To select electives, go to the list of CSCI and SENG electives in part III.
The coursework option requires an e-Portfolio comprehensive assessment. Please contact the graduate program director for more information.
III. Electives List
Electives should be carefully selected after consultation with the graduate program director. If one of the following courses has been taken to fulfill the degree's core requirement, it cannot also count as an elective.
- CSCI 6010 - Big Data Analytics and Management
- CSCI 6025 - Intelligent Systems
- CSCI 6030 - Information Extraction and Retrieval
- CSCI 6035 - Reinforcement Learning
- CSCI 6040 - Computational Analysis of Natural Languages
- CSCI 6045 - Cyber-Physical Systems
- CSCI 6050 - Digital Image Analysis and Understanding
- CSCI 6100 - Cryptography and Information Security
- CSCI 6120 - Computer Systems Architecture
- CSCI 6130 - Networking and Telecommunication
- CSCI 6140 - Mobile Communications and Wireless Security
- CSCI 6150 - Computer and Network Security
- CSCI 6220 - Topics in Language Design
- CSCI 6230 - Software Engineering Foundations
- CSCI 6300 - Cryptographic Protocols
- CSCI 6420 - Computability and Complexity
- CSCI 6510 - Distributed Computing
- CSCI 6600 - Database Management Systems
- CSCI 6700 - Artificial Intelligence
- CSCI 6710 - Enterprise Web Applications
- CSCI 6810 - Topics in Artificial Intelligence
- CSCI 6820 - Computer Graphics
- CSCI 6840 - Data Mining
- CSCI 6905 - Topics in Computer Science
- DASC 6015 - Data Visualization and Communication
- DASC 6025 - Data Cleaning and Quality Assessment
- SENG 5000 - Programming and Data Structures Foundations
- SENG 5005 - Discrete Structures and Algorithmic Foundations
- SENG 6230 - Software Engineering Foundations
- SENG 6235 - Software Project Management
- SENG 6240 - Software Architecture and Design
- SENG 6245 - Software Construction
- SENG 6247 - Software Security Engineering
- SENG 6250 - Software Systems Modeling and Analysis
- SENG 6255 - Software Requirements Engineering
- SENG 6260 - Software Metrics and Quality Management
- SENG 6265 - Foundations of Software Testing
- SENG 6270 - Software Verification and Validation
- SENG 6275 - Dependable Systems and Software Reliability
- SENG 6280 - Process Management and Lifecycle Modeling
- SENG 6285 - Cloud Computing
- SENG 6300 - Software Maintenance and Evolution
IV. Comprehensive Assessment Requirement
All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment requirement. This program requires the following:
- Thesis option (thesis with oral presentation)
- Project option (research project with written report)
- Coursework option (e-Portfolio)
V. Plan of Study Form Requirement
Students are required to complete a Plan of Study Form in consultation with the graduate program director before they begin their graduate study. This is usually done during the week before the first day of classes of the first semester.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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