GRADUATE STUDIES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Midwestern State University offers the degree of Master of Science with a major in Computer Science. The degree program is designed to accept applicants from a broad range of undergraduate preparation and to provide them with knowledge and skills encompassing the areas of computer science methodologies and computer software design and development.

THE DEGREE PROGRAM

The degree program is a 36 credit hours, non-thesis course of study. Students must complete a 15 hour core of studies encompassing the areas of algorithms, concepts of programming languages, computer architecture, operating systems, and software engineering, and must pass an oral examination over the program of study prior to graduation. A formal research paper is also required of each candidate.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Applicants for admission to the program must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Eligibility for admission to the program is determined by an index which is computed as the score achieved on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) plus the student's grade point average over the semesters in which the last 60 hours of undergraduate work were completed times 200 (junior college work is excluded). Unconditional admission is granted if the index is 1600 or greater and the score on the quantitative portion of the GRE is 600 or greater. Conditional admission is granted if the index is 1450 or greater and the applicant satisfies other minimum requirements as specified in the graduate bulletin.

A proficiency in computer science and mathematics is necessary to pursue the master's degree. Applicants lacking background in these areas will be required to complete undergraduate preparation to attain the knowledge and skills required to pursue the graduate degree. Examinations are administered prior to each semester to ascertain where a student should begin in the sequence of leveling courses.

A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL exam or 233 on the computer-based TOEFL exam is required of all international students.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to students in the degree program on a first-come, first-awarded basis. All students entering the program must be self-supporting for at least one calendar year.

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