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The Computer Science Program for the MS in Computer and Information Sciences is designed to add
breadth and depth to a typical bachelor's degree program in computer science. Breadth must be
demonstrated in the areas of computer networks, operating systems, algorithms, and databases.
Depth must be accomplished in the areas of graphics/interfaces, networks, advanced systems, and
data/language paradigms. Overall mastery of the discipline is demonstrated by submission of a Masters
thesis (thesis option) or a Masters project (professional option).
The student must select the thesis option or the professional option by the time of completion
of 30 credit hours of the graduate course of study.
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Computer Science Program Requirements
All course work applied to the student's program of study must be completed with grades of B or better.
The overall graduate average at UNF must be 3.0 or higher for the degree to be awarded. The course
CEN 6016: Engineering of Software I must be included on the program of study if the student's undergraduate
coursework does not include a course equivalent to
CIS 4251: Software Development.
Breadth Requirement: (0-12 hours)
| Any of the following courses must be taken if its equivalent was not covered in
undergraduate studies: |
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Depth Requirement: (12 hours)
| Select 1 of |
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CAP 6100: Interface Design and Implementation
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CAP 6400: Graphics Image Recognition and Manipulation
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| | Select 1 of |
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CDA 6506: Network Architecture & Client/Server Computing
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CIS 6302: Distributed and Internet Systems
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| | Select 1 of |
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| | Select 1 of |
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COP 6735: Developments in Database Structures
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COP 6557: Programming Language Design Paradigms
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Major: (0-12 hours)
combined Breadth + Major must be at least 12 hours
select 0-4 from among: |
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CAP 6671: Intelligent Systems
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CDA 6011: Web Engineering
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| Any course listed for the Depth Requirement, but not taken for that purpose |
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Elective:
| select 2 (thesis option students - 6-8 hours) or |
| select 3 (professional option students - 8-10 hours) |
| Chosen from among 5000/6000-level Computer and Information Sciences courses
(subject to restrictions); with approval, up to 2 graduate courses supportive of the degree
program may be transferred from elsewhere.
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Note:
CEN 6016: Engineering of Software I must be elected if the student's undergraduate coursework
does not include a course equivalent to
CIS 4251: Software Development. |
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Student selects one of the following 2 options:
| Thesis Option: (6 hours) |
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The thesis option requires that the student work under the direction of a thesis advisor
drawn from the School of Computing graduate faculty. Normally, the student approaches a faculty member who
has research interests in an area that the student is interested in. If the faculty member is
willing to work with the student as thesis advisor, then the student and advisor identify a problem
with research elements suitable for a Masters thesis and the student enrolls in the thesis course
- CIS 6970: Thesis (3)
to develop the problem. The student reviews the work of others who have addressed elements of the
thesis topic, preparing a short thesis prospectus which reviews this work and which describes the thesis
problem. When the work has progressed sufficiently, the student and advisor identify two additional
graduate faculty members to form a thesis committee. The student presents the prospectus to the thesis
committee, which reviews the scope of the material and suggests ways to both focus and improve the
thesis work. This may require 1 or more iterations before the thesis committee is satisfied.
The student must prepare the thesis in accord with the
School of Computing Thesis Guidelines and defend the thesis
in a presentation attended by at least 5 members of the School of Computing graduate faculty.
The student must enroll for at least 6 hours of CIS 6970, and must enroll for any term in which
actively working with the thesis advisor (including the term that the thesis is defended). Since
thesis work is research-oriented, no set time for completion is stipulated, so students pursuing
this option must discipline themselves to make proress without the help of defined milestones.
Thesis work orients towards "proof of concept" software development rather than a defined
deliverable, and is expected to advance the state of the discipline. |
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| Professional Option: (4 hours)
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The professional option requires that the student work under the direction of a member of
the School of Computing graduate faculty on a well-defined term project that delineates an objective worthy of
graduate credit. Normally, the student develops an idea for a project and approaches a faculty
member who has an academic interest in the topic area. If the faculty member is willing to work
with the student, the faculty member helps the student shape the idea into a project proposal.
The student must prepare and present the proposal to the School of Computing Graduate Committee
specifying the problem, the deliverable, the resource needs, and project time line (the time line
must specify project milestones). Project proposals are presented to the School of Computing Graduate Committee
at a specified time and date prior to the term of the project. If the Graduate Committee is
satisfied that the proposed work is both feasible and substantive, then the student must enroll
in the graduate project course
- CIS 6910: Project (4)
for the term specified in the project time line. Only students with approved project proposals
are permitted to enroll in this course. At the end of the term, the student must present the
results of the project to the School of Computing Graduate Committee and submit a write-up of the project
suitable for the library archives
(see
Guidelines for Graduate Projects for more information). |
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