M.S. Degree Program - Overview
The master's program satisfies a number of different needs. Many
students enter the master's program to round out their educational
objectives. At the end of the program they intend to seek employment
in the computer field or some other related field. In this case, the
M.S. degree represents a terminal point in their formal studies. A
master's degree program of this type is referred to as a terminal
master's program.
Other students plan on continuing their studies at the
Ph.D. level. The master's degree in this case represents a preparatory
period designed to give the necessary tools and background needed to
carry out the more individualized and self-directed research involved
in Ph.D. studies. Programs of this type are referred to as
non-terminal masters.
Both programs are designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of the
theoretical and applied aspects of computer science. The graduate
program assumes that the student already has a basic background in
Computer Science and Engineering equivalent to a B.S. in this
area. Well qualified students without this background will require
additional undergraduate course work to make up any deficiencies. The
objective of the graduate program is to enhance this background by
providing insight into state-of-the-art problems and research in
various areas of computer science and engineering. Students are
introduced to research methods in computer science and engineering
through independent or group projects that are a part of almost every
graduate course.
In order to accomplish the above objectives, a flexible master's
program has been established. The main influence in defining this
program is the student's advisory committee. This committee consists
of three faculty members selected by the student during his or her
first or second semester. The chair of the committee is the student's
major advisor. There is significant flexibility in defining a program
of study. The particular program of study to be followed is worked out
by the student and his or her advisory committee. Each program, which
is tailored to a student's particular interest and background, is
formulated according to the general guidelines described in Admission
section.
Admission
To be admitted to the M.S. program in Computer Science and Engineering
at the University of Connecticut as a regular (i.e. non-provisional)
student, the following basic requirements must be met:
- The applicant must possess a bachelor's degree.
- The applicant must have a cumulative undergraduate record that is
equivalent of a B average.
- The applicant must submit scores for the General Test portion of
the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The advanced portion of the exam
(in Computer Science) may be submitted as additional information
but is NOT required.
- The applicant should have background knowledge of undergraduate
mathematics and computer science and engineering, with a grade
point average of at least 3.25/4.00 in ALL of the following courses
or their equivalent:
- Engineering Calculus (at least 2 semesters) (MATH 110, MATH 111, MATH 210)
- Differential Equations (MATH 211)
- Linear Algebra (MATH 227)
- Statistics and Probability (STAT 220)
- Numeric and Non-numeric Computations in high level languages (CSE 130) (At least 2 intensive semesters preferably in Pascal, Ada, C, C++, or Java; note that COBOL and BASIC will not be considered)
- Digital Systems Organization (CSE 207)
- Logic Design Laboratory (CSE 208)
- Computer Architecture and Interface (CSE243)
- Software Engineering (CSE 230)
- Theory of Computation (CSE237)
- Algorithms and Complexity (CSE 259)
- The applicant should have a grade point average of at least
3.25/4.00 in AT LEAST four of the following courses or their
equivalent:
- Probabilistic Performance Analysis of Computer Systems (CSE 221)
- Programming Language Translation (CSE 244)
- Digital System Design (Hardware) (CSE 252)
- Mathematics of Discrete Systems (CSE 254)
- Operating Systems (CSE 258)
- Advanced Digital Hardware Design Lab (CSE 261)
- Microprocessor Lab (Hardware) (CSE 268)
U.S. citizens satisfying the course requirements but not the grade point average are occasionally admitted provisionally (not possible for international students). OUTSTANDING students missing a SMALL portion of these courses MAY be admitted before taking these courses; they must take them after admission.
Applicants missing a significant portion of this background will not be considered (regardless of grade point average or GRE scores); they should take the necessary courses BEFORE applying to the graduate program.
In no case will an applicant be accepted without the equivalent of CSE 130 - Fundamentals of Computation, CSE 207 - Computer Science, CSE 240 - Intermediate Computer Systems Laboratory, CSE 241 - Computer Organization, CSE 230 - Introduction to Software Engineering, and at least two semester of engineering calculus. The level of these courses and the overall strength of the applicant's previous program(s) are important in admission decisions.
Since the number of graduate students who can be accepted is limited by the number of faculty advisors, meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission. Normally, it is expected that an applicant has a B.S. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field. Those with strong minors in these fields should also meet the admission requirements. Applicants with little or no background in Computer Science will not be considered until they have corrected this deficiency.
Time for Completion
A student with a bachelor's degree in computer science and/or computer engineering may finish a M.S. degree in two or three semesters of full-time study without a graduate assistantship. A student who is not as well prepared for the M.S. program will usually require an additional one or two semesters to complete a program of study. Teaching and research assistants usually take a minimum of four semesters to complete their program. A student who is being funded as a half-time (10 hours/week) or full-time (20 hours/week) graduate assistant will normally require four semesters for obtaining an M.S. degree.
Under normal conditions it is expected that any on-campus student will complete all the work for the M.S. degree in less than two-and-one-half years. If, at the end of two years of study, it appears that the student will not finish in the allotted period, the student's advisory committee will review the progress made to date and recommend an appropriate action.
