Graduate Program - Master of Computer Science
The Master of Computer Science program is a terminal professional degree program designed primarily to meet the needs of working professionals in North Carolina's Research Triangle and surrounding areas. The degree is based on course work and attendance at colloquia; no thesis or comprehensive examination is required. For the convenience of part-time students, classes will be available at off-campus sites from time to time, and some on-campus classes will be offered in the early morning, late afternoon, or evening. However, it is not possible to complete all coursework outside of normal business hours. All incoming MCS students must register for an orientation course: CSC600 (Computer Science Graduate Orientation).
- Undergraduate Prerequisites for Application (All Applicants)
- Degree Requirements
- Registration and Residence
- Advisory Committee and Plan of Graduate Work
- Curriculum
- Colloqium Attendance
- Thesis (Not Required)
- Examination
- Patent Agreement
- Graduation Checkout
- Pursuing MS or PhD Studies
Preparatory course work should include a three-semester sequence in differential and integral calculus (MA 141, 241, and 242), a calculus-based course in probability and statistics (ST 370 or MA 421 (preferred)) and Computer Science courses equivalent to CSC 216, 226, 236, 316 and either 333 or 456. See individual degree descriptions for some additional requirements. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in order to be considered for a graduate degree program. This is a minimal GPA and strong GRE scores and letters are then needed for admission.
We will waive the GRE for students who have graduated from a US university majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Confirmation of the GRE waiver can only be made once we have received all official transcripts.
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The Master of Computer Science (MCS) is often considered a terminal professional degree requiring no thesis or comprehensive examination. It does not preclude advancing to the PhD degree but it is not the recommended path. MCS students are typically self-supporting and some enroll on a part-time basis.
MCS students must complete ten courses (30 credits) including three core courses. Minors are neither required nor permitted. Up to three approved graduate courses, closely related to computer science, but outside the CSC Department may be counted toward the student’s degree. These courses must be pre-approved by the DGP or be a College of Engineering or a Mathematics or a Statistics graduate course.
To graduate, a student must have a minimum 3.00 average on all graduate course work. This policy is strictly enforced.
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The Graduate School has a continuous registration policy. A student must be registered every semester (Fall, Spring.) Otherwise, a student must take an official leave of absence as recognized by the Graduate School.
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Academic Advisor and Plan of Graduate Work
The Director of Graduate Programs will serve as your academic advisor unless you specifically request another faculty member. This request must be in writing and must be approved by the DGP. You are not required to file a POW unless you request transfer credit from another institution.
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At least 30 hours of course work (ten courses) are required. At least 21 hours must be in letter-graded courses bearing the CSC prefix, and must include CSC 600 plus three core courses, two from one category and the third from the other category listed below:
Category 1:
Theory: 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).
The remaining courses may be chosen from the following:
- graduate courses within the College of Engineering (including Computer Science)
- graduate courses in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
- other graduate courses approved by the DGP
- at most one 400-level course outside Computer Science, but closely related to Computer Science, approved by the DGP
All Computer Science credits counted towards your degree must be at or above the 500 level. At most three credits outside Computer Science may be at the 400 level.
CSC 695 cannot be applied to MCS requirements, and CSC 630 will not under normal circumstances be accepted toward the MCS degree. Prior approval of the DGP is required for using CSC 630 in this degree. Seminar type courses in the College of Engineering and in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences will not be accepted. No more than two (2) credit hours of departmental seminar (S/U graded) may be included in the minimum 30-credit program.
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Colloquium Attendance
Frequently each semester, researchers from inside and outside the University make hour-long public presentations of their work. Each MCS student must attend four such presentations and complete and return a Colloquium Attendance Form for each. The list of colloquia approved for this purpose is found here.
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Examinations
There are no comprehensive examinations. Exams are only required with individual courses.
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Patent Agreement
The Graduate School no longer requires a graduate student enrolled in non-thesis Masters Degree Programs which do not require the student to “participle in any sponsored research program funded by the Federal Government, by state appropriations, by university (departmental, foundation etc.) funds, or by private industry” to complete the standard Patent Agreement. Instead, they must submit a Patent Policy Acknowledgement for Non-Thesis Master's Students (Exemption) form.
Please submit originals copies of this signed form to the Graduate School (NCSU Campus Box 7102), Technology Transfer (NCSU Campus Box 8210), and the Computer Science Graduate Program office (NCSU Campus Box 8206).
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Graduation Checkout
You must request graduation checkout within the first two weeks of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
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The MCS curriculum is not research-oriented and is not intended to prepare students for PhD studies. If you want to pursue MS or PhD studies, your request must be considered by the Admissions Committee in light of prevailing admissions standards for these programs. You may be asked to provide additional admission materials such as GRE Subject Exam scores or new letters of recommendation. MCS graduates are welcome to apply for admission to the PhD program, but have no special standing in the admissions process.
