Graduate Program - Master of Computer Science
The Master of Computer Science program is a terminal professional degree program. The degree is based on course work and attendance at colloquia. No research, thesis or comprehensive examination is required. MCS students are normally self-supported, and some enroll on a part-time basis.
- Application Procedure and Prerequisites (select “Computer Science-MR” when applying )
- Curriculum
- Advisor and Plan of Graduate Work
- Examinations
- Continuous Enrollment and Time Limits
- Colloqium Attendance
- Patent Agreement
- Graduation Checkout
- The Accelerated Bachelors-Masters (ABM) Degree
- Pursuing PhD Studies
A summary of the curriculum requirements for the Master of Computer Science is below:
| Requirement | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core courses | 9 |
| Orientation Course (CSC600) | 1 |
| Computer Science graduate electives | 12 |
| Computer Science graduate electives, or other “restricted” electives | 9 |
| Total | 31 |
Completion of the curriculum requires 31 graduate credits. All incoming MCS students must register for an orientation course: CSC600 (Computer Science Graduate Orientation).
At least three courses must be taken from the following list of core courses, one taken from one category, and two taken from the other category:
-
Category 1: Theory
CSC 503 (Computational Applied Logic), CSC 505 (Algorithms), CSC 512 (Compiler Construction), CSC 565 (Graph Theory), CSC 579 (Performance Evaluation), CSC 580 (Numerical Analysis), CSC 707 (Theory of Computation). - Category 2: Systems
CSC 501 (Operating Systems), CSC 506 (Parallel Architectures), CSC 510 (Software Engineering), CSC 520 (Artificial Intelligence), CSC 540 (Database Systems), CSC 562 (Graphics), CSC 570 (Networks).
Advanced or specialized versions of core courses may be used as substitutes (e.g., CSC720 (AI II) may substitute for CSC520 (AI), and CSC573 (Internet Protocols) may substitute for CSC570 (Computer Networks)). Special topics courses (CSC 59x or 79x) may not be used to satisfy core course requirements.
Additionally:
- At least 21 hours must be in graduate 500- and 700-level Computer Science courses. (note: the Graduate School does not allow 500- and 700-level courses to be taken pass-fail.)
- “Restricted elective” courses may be any graduate course within the College of Engineering (including Computer Science), or within the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
- All Computer Science credits must be at or above the 500 level. At most 3 credits outside of Computer Science may be at the 400 level.
- Minors are neither required nor permitted.
- To graduate, a student must have a minimum 3.00 grade point average (GPA) for all graduate course work.
- Registration by MCS students in Independent Study (CSC 630) requires approval by the faculty member who will supervise the work, followed by submission to the DGP of a one page written description of the topic and expected outputs, and approval of the DGP. A grade of "S" will require submission of a report describing the work done, and the results obtained.
Advisor and Plan of Graduate Work
An academic advisor assists all MCS students with Graduate School procedures, and answers questions about courses and requirements. MCS students fill out a Plan of Graduate Work showing the courses they intend to take.
Examinations
There is no comprehensive examination required for the MCS degree.
Continuous Enrollment and Time Limits
The Graduate School has a continuous enrollment policy. While pursuing a graduate degree, the student must be registered every Fall and Spring semester until completion. Otherwise, a student must request an official leave of absence from the Graduate School.
All masters students must complete their degree requirements within six (6) calendar years of starting their program.
Many times each semester, researchers from inside and outside the University make hour-long public presentations on their work. Each MCS student must attend four such presentations during the course of their degree, and complete and submit to the Graduate Secretary a Colloquium Attendance Form for each. A schedule of seminars and colloquia in Computer Science may be found here.
Graduate students must sign a statement agreeing to abide by the University's patent policies. This statement is now part of the Graduate Plan of Work. Patent and copyright procedures of NC State are available here. Students wishing to be exempted due to policies of their companies should contact the university's Office of Technology Transfer at 919-515-7199.
The Accelerated Bachelors-Masters (ABM) Degree
The ABM degree program combines bachelors and masters degrees, and is intended for high-achieving undergraduates (completion of at least 75 credit hours, with GPA of at least 3.5) in the Department of Computer Science . Four graduate courses taken while still in the undergraduate program may be “double-counted” for both degrees, allowing the masters degree to be earned in two semesters beyond the bachelors. Prospective students must be reviewed and recommended by the Computer Science Undergraduate Advisor, and then apply to the Graduate School for admission into a graduate degree, program to follow immediately upon completion of their Bachelors degree. Please see the Computer Science Undergraduate Advisor to start this process. If approved, the student must prepare a Plan of Work form that shows what courses will be double-counted, and what courses are proposed for completion of the degree in two semesters (MCS without thesis). More information about the program and the requirements is available in the Graduate School handbook.
MCS students wishing to pursue PhD studies should start by contacting the DGP. You will be asked to provide new letters of recommendation (including from a prospective advisor), and a revised statement of purpose. To be considered for financial aid from the department, you should apply at roughly the same time as external applicants.