Computer Science

The M. S. program consists of 36 hours and can be completed in four semesters by students entering with no background deficiencies. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.

Useful Links

Program of Study

A well-prepared student taking a full load (9 credit hours per semester) can complete this program in 4 semesters. There is no foreign language requirement.

The program is defined in terms of either of two plans:

Plan I: Thirty (30) credit hours of CSCI courses and Thesis (6 hours)

Degree Requirements (thesis option)

Plan II: Thirty-six (36) credit hours of CSCI courses

Degree Requirements (non-thesis option)

Most students choose the Plan II option unless they are specifically interested in writing a thesis.

Degree Plan(Prior to Fall 2016)

Degree Plan (for Fall 2016 students or later)

Degree Plan (for Fall 2018 students or later)

Degree Requirements: Master's Thesis Option

This document describes requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Computer Science at Texas A&M -Commerce for students who select the thesis option.

Credit hours

The student must successfully complete 36 total credit hours, as follows:

6 hours of CSCI 518: Thesis Research.
24 hours of graduate-level course work with average of 3.0, subject to the restrictions below.

15 hours of required courses:

CSCI 520	Information Structures & Algorithm Analysis
CSCI 530	Operating Systems
CSCI 532	Algorithm Design
CSCI 540	Computer Architecture
CSCI 549	Automata Theory

Specialized courses within five tracks: database, networking, computer engineering, Information Assurance and Security and artificial intelligence.
At most, 9 hours of Computer Science courses transferred from other universities.
No hours earned outside Computer Science can be applied toward the degree.
At most, 6 hours of independent study courses such as CSCI-589. These courses must be proposed in writing in advance, approved by the instructor, and a copy placed in the student's file. The proposal must specify both the course content and the specific deliverables that will be evaluated to determine the course grade.
At most, 9 total hours may be counted from courses listed in c) and e) above. Therefore at least 24 hours must be earned in Computer Science lecture courses at the University of Texas A&M-Commerce.
For some students, certain additional 400-level courses might be required. Such courses are remedial and therefore do not apply toward the degree program. Certain 500-level courses (such as CSCI 515 and 516) are also considered remedial courses.

Additional requirements

The student must select a thesis advisor and a thesis committee. The committee must contain at least 3 members, including the thesis advisor. At least 2 members must be faculty of the Computer Science department, and at least 1 member may be from outside the Computer Science department.
The student must develop a written research proposal. This should contain an introduction to the research area, a review of relevant literature in the area, a description of problems to be investigated, an identification of basic goals and objectives of the research, a methodology and timetable for approaching the research, and an extensive bibliography.
The student must deliver an oral presentation of the research proposal, which is followed by a question-and-answer session that is open to all faculty and which covers topics related directly or indirectly to the research area. The student's committee will determine whether the proposal is acceptable based upon both the written and oral presentations.
The student must develop a written thesis that demonstrates that the student has performed research that makes a definite contribution to current knowledge. Its format and content must be acceptable to both the student's committee and the Graduate School.
The student must defend the written thesis. The defense includes an oral presentation of the thesis research, followed by a question-and-answer session. The student's committee will determine whether the defense is acceptable.
Any additional requirements imposed by the Graduate School must also be satisfied. Please refer to the Texas A&M-Commerce Graduate Catalog for complete information.

Degree Requirements: Master's Non-thesis (project) Option

This document describes requirements for the degree of Master's of Science in the Department of Computer Science at Texas A&M University-Commerce for students who select the Non-thesis option.

Credit hours