Master of Science in Computer Science

The graduate program in computer science provides advanced educational opportunities for post-baccalaureate students seeking a deeper understanding of all aspects of computing. The program provides the student with a solid computer science background in preparation for governmental or industrial employment or for continued study at the Ph.D. level in computer science.

Why UA?

Our program

• Offers a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to fit your computing interests
• Accommodates varied educational backgrounds
• Provides options for research-based and coursework-based degrees

Our faculty

• Consists of nationally and internationally renowned experts who actively conduct research in their respective areas
• Have current and ongoing research programs
• Are active in industry collaborations locally

• Access to the latest equipment and software that is used in companies and academia
• Gain professional experience through co-ops and internships.
• Graduate-level classes are small enough to ensure personal attention by the professors while large enough to facilitate group projects and interactions
• Access to the extensive library and computer facilities at the university
• Access to external supercomputer facilities
• State-of-the-art equipment including online access to a cluster computer and General-Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) server

Degree Requirements

The master's degree program in Computer Science combines courses in computer science principles and practice. The program provides the student with a solid computer science background in preparation for governmental or industrial employment or for continued study at the Ph.D. level in computer science.

The program requires 30 credits of graduate coursework, and most full-time students admitted into the program will complete the degree requirements in two years.

The program has two optional concentrations: Data Science concentration and Software and Systems concentration. Students in the Data Science concentration should complete at least nine credits in the Data Science course group, and students in the Software and Systems concentration should complete nine credits in the Software and Systems course group.

Thesis Option

Required Courses

• 3460:601 Research Methodology 3
• 3460:698 Master's Research 3
• 3460:699 Master's Thesis 3

Electives (600-Level Courses) 1 12

• Select 12 credits in approved 600-level courses

Electives (500 and 600-Level Courses) 9

• Select nine credits in approved 500 or 600-level courses

Total Hours 30

The thesis must be of publishable quality and must be successfully presented at a public defense moderated by three full-time Graduate Faculty (two of which must be from Computer Science).

Non-thesis Option

Required Course

• 3460:601 Research Methodology 3

Electives (600-Level Courses) 1 15

• Select 15 credits in approved 600-level courses

Electives (500 and 600-Level Courses) 12

• Select 12 credits in approved 500 or 600-level courses

Total Hours 30

Students may take approved 600-level courses outside of the department. Up to six credit hours can be counted toward the required 600-level credit hour requirement. Students must consult with the department for an approved list of courses.

Optional Data Science Concentration

• 3460:635 Advanced Algorithms 3
• 3460:636 Graph Analytics 3
• 3460:658 Visualization 3
• 3460:676 Data Mining 3
• 3460:677 Parallel Processing 3
• 3460:678 Data Integration 3

Optional Software and Systems Concentration

• 3460:630 Advanced Theory of Programming Languages 3
• 3460:631 Abstract Machines 3
• 3460:635 Advanced Algorithms 3
• 3460:641 Optimization for Parallel Compilers 3
• 3460:653 Software Security 3
• 3460:677 Parallel Processing 3
• 3460:680 Software Engineering Methodologies 3