The M.S. program in Computer Science offers students the opportunity to prepare for careers in several areas of specialization including: computer graphics, computer architecture, operating systems, programming languages, database systems, AI/expert systems, computer communication networks, modeling and simulation. The program is designed for maximum flexibility to allow the student to concentrate in one or more areas of study.

The department has a Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL) to provide a variety of computing resources for instructional and research purposes. The CSL has a SUN workstation cluster, a Hewlett Packard workstation cluster, a logic development lab, a distributed systems lab, a multiprocessor system for parallel programming, and a variety of graphics workstations and personal computers. The University's Academic Computing Services also provides a variety of microcomputer, workstation, and mainframe computing resources available to students.

Admission to the program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and good standing at the last college attended. During the last 90 quarter hours of study, the student must have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 if the undergraduate degree is in Computer Science, or 3.25 for other degrees. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required, with a minimum combined score of 1650 (verbal, quantitative, and analytical), and a minimum of 400 on verbal. Foreign applicants must have a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL and 4.5 on the TWE. Women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply for admission.

Qualified students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science may be admitted as unclassified students. Unclassified students must complete the necessary undergraduate coursework to be admitted to candidacy. While fulfilling the undergraduate requirements, unclassified students retain official status as graduate students in the University.

Unclassified students may advance to candidacy by completing each of the following undergraduate courses with a "B" or better. These courses do not count toward the graduate degree:

CSC 315 Computer Architecture II (4)

CSC 345 Data Structures (3)

CSC 346 File Structures (3)

CSC 440 Software Engineering I (3)

CSC 445 Theory of Computation I (3)

CSC 453 Introduction to Operating Systems (4)

The department offers several graduate teaching assistantships. Preference is given to continuing graduate students and experienced teachers. Other grant, fellowship, scholarship and loan information can be obtained from the Financial Aid office.

The students must file a formal study plan with the Computer Science Department office no later than the end of the quarter in which they complete the first unit of coursework to be counted toward the degree. The formal study plan identifies specific courses to be taken to fulfill requirements of the M.S. degree. The formal study plan may be amended with approval of the graduate coordinator.

The M.S. degree requires at least 45 units beyond the undergraduate degree. Courses must be chosen according to the following requirements:

For further information or advisement students should communicate with the Graduate Coordinator of the Computer Science Department.

Go to Computer Science Department Home Page

Go to 1997-98 Cal Poly Catalog

Go to Campus-Wide Programs List

08/25/97