The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Computer Science (MS)

CIP Code

11.0701

Overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science provides students a strong foundation in the core computer science areas, together with advanced study of specialized topics in computing. Students work closely with faculty members and may elect either the thesis option or the coursework option. The thesis option entails two semesters' study under the direction of a faculty member in which the student gains an understanding of an area of current research and contributes to the state of the art in that area. The thesis option is chosen by students seeking to be involved in the Department's research efforts. The coursework option requires more designated elective hours. Many successful students enter the program with bachelor's degrees in other disciplines. The department offers a series of graduate courses designed to facilitate students' transition to graduate study in computer science from undergraduate study in other disciplines. The exact sequence of courses is determined individually by the department after review of the student's undergraduate transcript and relevant work experience.

Computer Science (MS) students complete 30 semester hours, including 9 semester hours of required computer science courses with a grade of B or higher, 15 semester hours of computer science prescribed elective courses and 6 semester hours of master’s thesis for the thesis option, or 21 semester hours of prescribed electives for the Non-thesis option. In addition, a final written examination is required for the Non-thesis option.

Background Requirements

Students pursuing the MS in Computer Science who enter the program without a background in Computer Science might need to complete leveling courses and potentially undergraduate courses to prepare for advanced coursework in Computer Science. Background requirements can be partially met with relevant work experience.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in computer science, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley), as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a bachelor’s degree in another field and courses and/or experience that prepare the applicant for graduate work in computer science.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. Letter of Intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
  4. Resume.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required Courses - 9 Hours

This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.

Theory - 3 Hours

Choose one from the following:

CSCI 6323Design and Analysis of Algorithms

3

CSCI 6339Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science

3

Systems - 3 Hours

Choose one from the following:

CSCI 6334Operating Systems

3

CSCI 6335Computer Architecture

3

CSCI 6356Parallel Computing

3

EECE 6380Computer Architecture

3

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - 3 Hours

Choose one from the following:

CSCI 6344Introduction to Data Science

3

CSCI 6366Data Mining and Warehousing

3

CSCI 6379Deep Learning

3

Non-thesis Option

Prescribed Electives - 21 Hours

This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.

CSCI 6321Games & Computation

3

CSCI 6323Design and Analysis of Algorithms

3

CSCI 6324Cryptography

3

CSCI 6330Foundations of Intelligent Security Systems

3

CSCI 6333Database Design and Implementation

3

CSCI 6334Operating Systems

3

CSCI 6335Computer Architecture

3

CSCI 6339Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science

3

CSCI 6344Introduction to Data Science

3

CSCI 6345Computer Networks

3

CSCI 6350Artificial Intelligence

3

CSCI 6353Reinforcement Learning

3

CSCI 6352Machine Learning

3

CSCI 6355Bioinformatics

3

CSCI 6356Parallel Computing

3

CSCI 6363Human Computer Interaction

3

CSCI 6374AI Topics in Image Analysis

3

CSCI 6366Data Mining and Warehousing

3

CSCI 6367Digital Image Processing

3

CSCI 6368Computer Vision

3

CSCI 6370Topics in Computer Science

3

CSCI 6371Autonomous Mobile Robots and Programming

3

CSCI 6373Information Retrieval and Web Search

3

CSCI 6379Deep Learning

3

CSCI 6381Independent Research and Study

3

CYBI 6364Advanced Digital Forensics

3

CYBI 6365Network Management and Security

3

Capstone Requirement

Students who pursue the coursework only option must pass a written comprehensive exam.

Thesis Option:

Prescribed Electives - 15 Hours

This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.

CSCI 6321Games & Computation

3

CSCI 6323Design and Analysis of Algorithms

3

CSCI 6324Cryptography

3

CSCI 6330Foundations of Intelligent Security Systems

3

CSCI 6333Database Design and Implementation

3

CSCI 6334Operating Systems

3

CSCI 6335Computer Architecture

3

CSCI 6339Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science

3

CSCI 6344Introduction to Data Science

3

CSCI 6345Computer Networks

3

CSCI 6350Artificial Intelligence

3

CSCI 6353Reinforcement Learning

3

CSCI 6352Machine Learning

3

CSCI 6355Bioinformatics

3

CSCI 6356Parallel Computing

3

CSCI 6363Human Computer Interaction

3

CSCI 6374AI Topics in Image Analysis

3

CSCI 6366Data Mining and Warehousing

3

CSCI 6367Digital Image Processing

3

CSCI 6368Computer Vision

3

CSCI 6370Topics in Computer Science

3

CSCI 6371Autonomous Mobile Robots and Programming

3

CSCI 6373Information Retrieval and Web Search

3

CSCI 6379Deep Learning

3

CSCI 6381Independent Research and Study

3

CYBI 6364Advanced Digital Forensics

3

CYBI 6365Network Management and Security

3

Thesis - 6 Hours

CSCI 7300Master's Thesis I

3

CSCI 7301Master’s Thesis II

3

Total Credit Hours: 30