The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a program of
graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in Computer
Science. Program strengths include the unique blend of faculty
expertise, the well equipped laboratory facilities, and the balance of
theory, practice, hardware, and software. Degree requirements
concentrate in the areas of theory and applications of computing.
Courses for the program are offered in the late afternoon and evening
hours to serve the educational needs of practicing computer
professionals.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students choose between the thesis and the non-thesis programs of study.
Both options require a total of forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours
in computer science and computer engineering (CS/CEG). The former
option requires satisfactory completion of a master's thesis. The
latter option requires that a larger number of the required credit hours
be earned through formal coursework (as opposed to seminars, independent
study, and thesis research, for example). The specific requirements
for the two options are as follows.
The thesis option requires satisfactory completion of a master's thesis
within a program of study consisting of 48 graduate credit hours in
CS/CEG courses, including:
- At least twenty (20) hours of formal CS/CEG coursework at
the 700/800 level, including the Computer Science Core (listed
below), and
- No more than twelve (12) hours total of independent study
and thesis work.
The non-thesis option requires a program of study consisting of 48
graduate credit hours in CS/CEG courses, including:
- At least thirty-two (32) hours of formal CS/CEG coursework
at the 700/800 level, including the Computer Science Core (listed
below), and
- No more than four (4) hours of independent study work.
Courses
All CS and CEG graduate courses listed in the catalog may be used to
satisfy the 48 credit hour requirement, with the exception of CS 600
Data Structures and Algorithms and CEG 633 Operating Systems. Other
courses may be used to satisfy the requirements only if they are listed
in a program of study that has been approved by the department prior to
enrollment in the course.
A formal course is one that meets on a regularly scheduled basis
throughout the term as specified in the quarterly university bulletin.
The Computer Science Core consists of the following courses:
- CS 701 Database Systems and Design
- CS 740 Computational Complexity
- CS 784 Programming Languages
- CEG 730 Distributed Computing Principles
Time Limit:
Students must complete all the requirements for a master's degree within
7 years from the date the student matriculated. Courses older than 7
years cannot be used toward degree requirements.
Three "C" Rule:
The department has a "three C rule" for graduate
students. A graduate student who receives nine (9) or more credit hours
of grades C, D, F, X, or U in CS/CEG graduate courses will be
recommended immediately for dismissal from the program. The rule
includes prerequisite courses taken for graduate study, independent
study, and thesis or dissertation research. Dismissal action will be
taken by the School of Graduate Studies.
ADMISSION
A student may be admitted to the Master of Science in Computer Science
program with a bachelor's degree in computer science, or related areas
and appropriate experience, and satisfaction of the admission
requirements as set forth by the School of Graduate Studies.
Admission Prerequisites
Specific prerequisites for admission to the Master of Science program in
Computer Science are shown below. Students may be admitted conditionally
while making up minor deficiencies.
1. A bachelor's degree in Computer Science (or related area and
appropriate experience) from a regionally accredited academic
institution, with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 for
regular graduate status. Students may be admitted conditionally if they
have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or above and at least a
3.0 grade point average in all courses in items 2 and 3 below.
2. Computer Science and Computer Engineering prerequisites: courses
covering computer programming, data structures, theory of computation,
digital circuits, computer organization, and operating systems. The
material covered in these courses should be equivalent to, respectively,
CS 240-242, CS 600, CS 610 or CS 666, CEG 260, CEG 520, and CEG 633 at
Wright State University.
3. Mathematics and science prerequisites: introduction to calculus,
linear or matrix algebra, discrete mathematics, probability, statistics,
and a one year science sequence.
4. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. A minimum
combined score of at least 1050 on the verbal and quantitative sections
is expected.
NOTE: The GRE will be waived in the following cases:
- For applicants with a Wright State University BA or a BS degree
from the College of Engineering and Computer Science whose
undergraduate GPA is above 3.3, and
- For applicants with a graduate degree in engineering, science,
or mathematics from a United States institution.
However, the GRE is highly recommended for applicants who are or will be
applying for graduate assistantships.
TRANSFER CREDIT
A maximum of twelve (12) graduate credit hours may be transferred after
admission to the program by petitioning the department Graduate Studies
Committee.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis for
students who have established strong academic credentials and can
demonstrate good communication skills and teaching potential. Research
assistantship availability is dependent upon faculty research grants and
contracts. Candidates are ordinarily chosen based upon credentials
established at Wright State University. Students employed as teaching
or research assistants through the School of Graduate Studies are
required to complete the thesis option.
RESEARCH
Current research projects include database and web applications,
artificial intelligence, machine learning and data mining, evolutionary
computation, bioinformatics, networking and mobile computing, graphics,
image processing, distributed systems, and software engineering. Sources
of research support include federal agencies, military agencies, and
local industries.
Thesis research may be related to one of the on-going research projects
or to other topics of mutual interest to the student and a faculty
member.
Research at Wright State University is not limited to on-campus
laboratory facilities. Several industrial laboratories and Wright
Patterson Air Force Base laboratories are involved in joint research
efforts with the university and have unique facilities that are
available for faculty and graduate research.
More information can be found on the Research page.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
303 Russ Engineering Center
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45435
(937) 775-5131
Descriptions of the Master of Science degree in Computer Science
program, courses, and application materials are available on the School
of Graduate Studies web site at http://www.wright.edu/sogs/.
