Computer Science MS

Overview

The School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering offers the M.S. degree in Computer Science for students who already hold a B.S. degree in Computer Science or a closely related field. This master’s program is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of theoretical and applied computer science that will allow the student to begin exploring special topics and state-of-the-art subjects. It will prepare a student for advanced applications, development, and research positions in industry or for doctoral-level studies.

Admission Requirements

A student applying for admission to this program will need the following to complete their application:

• Official GRE Test Scores
• Resumè
• Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School Admission Requirements and Procedures , applicants are encouraged to submit additional information that documents their potential for doing graduate work in computer science. This would include industrial work experience and training, and graduate work already completed. Successful applicants are expected to have completed the following courses (or equivalent): CSC 101, 102, 204, 306, 307, 414, and three courses from among the following: CSC 410, 411, 412, 413, and 415 (see the Southern Miss Undergraduate Bulletin for course descriptions), as well as mathematics through integral calculus, basic probability, discrete math, and linear algebra.

Students with acceptable or reasonable deficiencies in undergraduate course work may be granted conditional admission; these students must take a placement test (administered by the School) within the first week of their first semester to help the School assess their areas of deficiency. Based on the student’s performance, (s)he may be asked to take no more than 4 prerequisite undergraduate (i.e., not to be counted toward graduate degree) courses to absolve the deficiencies. The syllabi and study materials for this placement test can be found at: https://www.usm.edu/computing/placement-test-preparation.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

A student must complete a minimum of 33 hours of coursework, including a thesis (CSC 698) or a capstone project (CSC 699), approved by a 3-member committee. The chair of this committee must be from the School (one member may be from outside the School).

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for additional requirements and policies.

Course Requirements (33 hours)

• CSC 616-695 (at least 21 hrs)
  • CSC 691  can be taken for up to 6 hrs
  • CSC 695  can be taken for up to 6 hrs
• CSC 510-591 (at most 9 hrs)
• CSC 513 - Algorithms  (3 hrs; only if the student hasn’t completed CSC 413 before)
• Thesis (6 hrs) or Project (3 hrs)