Master of Science in Computer Science
The degree of Master of Science is awarded to graduate students for demonstration of substantial scholarly achievement beyond the baccalaureate level. This achievement represents more than the mere accumulation of additional credit as the student is expected to demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the chosen discipline. The School of EECS offers MS programs in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
1. Admission
The School evaluates applicants for admission to the MS program based on transcripts, GPA, the score on the general GRE, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and TOEFL score, if applicable. Additional materials such as GRE subject scores and publications or research activity may also be included. The Graduate Studies Committee will consider these materials and students judged most qualified will be offered admission. Students whose undergraduate studies did not include material equivalent to that covered in the following WSU courses will be asked to take course work to resolve that undergraduate deficiency: Cpt S 121, 122, 223, 317, 355, 360, 450; Phil 201; Math 216; EE 214 and EE 234. All of these courses should be completed before the student is eligible for admission to the MS or PhD Program in Computer Science. The admissions committee may require the student to correct other undergraduate deficiencies as well, including undergraduate prerequisite courses to graduate courses.
2. MSCS Thesis Option
The Thesis Program must consist of 30 or more hours of credit including 21 or more hours of course work for which a grade of A-F is given and 9 or more credits of thesis research (Cpt S 700).
Under the thesis option, the student is expected to complete a significant research project and submit a thesis, which adheres to EECS standards and the formatting requirements of the advisory committee and the Graduate School. The thesis work should be submitted for refereed publication prior to scheduling the final exam. It is the student's responsibility to meet the deadlines specified by the Graduate School and to have the thesis printed, photocopied, and distributed. One bound copy of the thesis must be provided to the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as part of its thesis and dissertation library. All students on financial aid from WSU must choose the thesis option.
When a thesis student has earned fifteen credits toward a graduate degree, an advisory committee of at least three faculty members shall be nominated with the mutual consent of the student, the director of the School of EECS (or the director's designee) and each prospective committee member. The major advisor (also Chair of the advisory committee) and another committee member must be members of EECS Graduate Faculty. The Chair of the advisory committee must be a specialist in the student's intended area of research and the supervisor of the research. It is the responsibility of the student to find a major advisor (committee chair) and work with him or her to nominate additional members in accordance with the timetable below. As soon as the committee is nominated, members should assist the student in identifying a research topic and selecting a set of courses (the program) that meet EECS and Graduate School requirements and is consistent with the research objectives of the student.
The program for the MS degree specifies the courses and seminars that the student must complete. The program of study, signed by members of the advisory committee and the director (or designee), is submitted for approval to the Graduate School on the form "Program for Master's Degree." Committee appointments and the MS program are not official until approved by the Graduate School. Changes in the student's program can be made with the approval of the student, the advisory committee, the director of the School of EECS (or designee), and the Graduate School. The advisory committee membership can be changed with the approval of the student, the school director, the Graduate School, and the persons who would constitute the new committee.
A maximum of three credits of 400 level course work approved by the GSC may be included on a Master's program (Note: The MS/CS Thesis Option allows only up to 3 credits of 400 level approved course work). Only one 3-credit Directed Study (Cpt S 595) may be included. The student may take courses on a P/F basis, but these courses cannot be used in the student's official degree program. Students on appointment must have such P/F courses approved by the GSC chair. The Graduate School specifies the minimum allowable grade-point average (GPA) for students in graduate programs. Students not maintaining a 3.0 GPA run the risk of academic probation and dismissal from the program.
A maximum of six graduate-level transfer credits is allowed. Students may petition the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) to include transfer credits, but only if equivalent courses are offered at the graduate level, are completed in a recognized graduate school as a graduate student, and are clearly consistent with the objectives of the student's program at WSU.
An MSCS thesis option student must complete at least four CptS graduate courses selected from three different categories: at least one from THEORY category, at least two from "THESIS AREA" category, and at least one from a third category. The CptS graduate course categories are listed below. The THESIS AREA should be selected by the student in consultation with the academic advisor.
Only one 3-credit Directed Study (CptS 595) may be included. A maximum of 3 credits of 400 level course work approved by the GSC may be included. In general, undergraduate courses REQUIRED for the BS/CS or BA/CS and undergraduate courses listed as pre-requisite for admission into the MS/PhD in CS program will NOT BE allowed.
The student must file an "Application for Degree" form with the Graduate School on or before the deadline date specified by the Graduate School. After the student has completed course work, applied for the degree, and had the thesis approved by the advisory committee, the final examination should be scheduled. Along with the scheduling form for the M.S Thesis Final Exam, a List of Publications (Submitted, Accepted, or in Preparation) should be submitted to the GSC. The publication list should include (anticipated) date of submission (or appearance) and the full name of the conference or journal. The examination will be administered by the advisory committee and will cover the thesis defense and the area of knowledge covered by the student's program of study.
3. MSCS Non-Thesis Option
Under the non-thesis option, the student is required to take: (i) at least 28 graded credits (Non P/F and non S/F) of graduate level course work, and (ii) EITHER a 4 credit non-thesis project with a final oral examination on the project and the course work listed on their program of study OR the MSCS Non-Thesis written final exam. The project and written final exam require registration in four and two credits of CptS 702, respectively.
Of the 28 credits of course work, at least 22 credits must be from graduate level Computer Science courses as follows: at least one 3-cr course from THEORY category, at least two 3-cr courses from "EMPHASIS AREA" category, and at least one 3-cr course from a THIRD category.
Only one 3-credit Directed Study (CptS or EE 595) may be included. A maximum of 3 credits of 400 level course work approved by the GSC may be included. In general, undergraduate courses REQUIRED for the BS/CS or BA/CS and undergraduate courses listed as pre-requisite for admission into the MS/PhD in CS program will NOT BE allowed. Students should obtain approval of the advisory committee and the GSC before taking non-CptS courses.
The student is required to follow the procedures described above for the thesis student and form an advisory committee to assist them in designing a program for this option. In particular, the student's advisor must approve the student's course program and the project selection (if applicable).
Non-Thesis, Non-Project Written Final Exam: The final exam for the M.S. in Computer Science, Non-Thesis, Non-Project Option is a 3-hour exam and consists of 2 parts:
1. A 1-hour written, in-class exam in an EMPHASIS AREA of computer science.
2. A 2-hour written, in-class exam in THEORY category and a third category.
The CptS graduate course categories are listed below. Students should consult with their graduate advisor regarding the choice of the emphasis area, and plan to take appropriate courses in this area.
4. Timetable for All MS Degree Students
1) Submission of program and advisory committee nomination (as soon as possible, typically after fifteen credits have been earned toward the MS degree).
2) Application for MS degree (prior to the middle of the last semester). See the current "Tabular Summary" from the Graduate School for the dates.
3) Approval of the thesis. Theses must receive preliminary approval from the advisory committee before the final examination is scheduled. Committee members must be given 14 days (10 working days) to review the thesis prior to scheduling the final exam.
4) Scheduling of final master's examination for thesis option at least 14 days (10 working days) before requested final examination date.
5) Request to take final master's exam for non-thesis option must be submitted before beginning of the semester during which it is scheduled.
6) Distribution of printed thesis to the advisory committee, the Graduate Studies Committee representative (at least five days before the requested final examination date), and a copy to the Graduate School office (at least ten working days prior to the examination date).
7) Final examination. Change of Cpt S 700/702 grades from 'X' to 'S' will occur only following successful completion of the final examination and after the thesis has been filed with the department office.
Computer Science Graduate Course Categories
Architecture and OS:
CptS 560, 561
Databases and security:
CptS 527, 551
Graphics, animation and scientific computation:
CptS 542, 530 (Math 530), 519, 543, 548
Networks and distributed computing:
CptS 555, 557, 562, 564, 565, 550, 553 (Math 553)
Software engineering:
CptS 521, 522, 523, 524
Theory, Prog. Langs and Algorithms:
CptS 516, 511, 517, 518
Bioinformatics, AI, KDD and other:
CptS 534, 541, 544, 549, 570, 572, 573
Note: Each specific offering of CptS 580 (Advanced Topics in Computer Science) will be classified into one of the above categories, based on the course content.