College of Science and Engineering
Computer Science

Master of Science in Computer Science

Overview

The Department of Computer Science strives to advance the knowledge of computer science and technology and to produce computer scientists and computer literate individuals for the betterment of industry, government, and society. The Master of Science program in Computer Science offers a wide range of areas in which students can specialize. Students follow either the thesis or non-thesis option. Analysis skills and real world problem solving are integrated in all graduate courses. These skills are vital for the design, development, maintenance, management, and supervision of complex computer systems. Excellent laboratory facilities are provided for hands on experience and for implementing the learned concepts.

 

Objectives

The objectives of the graduate program in Computer Science are to:

  • Provide students with a broad knowledge of computer science technology.
  • Provide leadership in advancing the state of the practice of computer science education.
  • Provide leadership in advancing the state of the practice of computer science research.
  • Provide students with specific knowledge and skills required to develop methodologies and to analyze and design complex computer systems.
  • Prepare students for career advancement in computer science, doctoral research, and teaching.

 

Serving the Professional Community

The Department of Computer Science has made special efforts to schedule evening classes to accommodate computing professionals. Most evening classes meet for three hours once per week. Courses at Texas State make extensive use of the Internet and the university offers dial-in facilities for network access. This allows many of the university's computing resources to be accessed off-site. Texas State also offers courses at the Round Rock Campus.

While on campus, students interact with computing professionals from the Austin and San Antonio areas. The broad background and experience of the graduate student body provides insight into practical issues that cannot be obtained from books alone.

By attending classes two or three nights per week, many students find it feasible to complete their degrees in two years under both the 36-hour non-thesis and the 30-hour thesis options.

Courses

The core computer science courses are selected as shown in the graduate catalog.

In addition, students can choose courses from other areas in computer science to satisfy other core and elective requirements.

 

Admissions Policy

Applicants to the software-engineering program will be required to:

  • Meet the Graduate College's grade-point average requirement of "no less than 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours leading up to the bachelor's degree".
  • The Computer Science program requires an official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score to be submitted prior to admission consideration with a preferred score of 286 with no less than 140 on the verbal section (effective Fall 2015) and 148 on the quantitative section. If you took the GRE in recent years prior to the new examination, the following preferred scores will be considered - 1000 (300 verbal and 600 quantitative). GRE scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, to the Texas State Graduate College. The college code for Texas State is 006667. The Educational Testing Service website is www.ets.org/gre. Texas State applicants are required to take only the General Test. The GRE may be waived if the applicant holds a master’s degree from an accredited US institution. GRE waivers will be submitted to the department on a case-by-case basis if the degree was granted from an accredited international university.
  • Meet any additional basic requirements for admission to the Graduate College. The basic Graduate College admissions requirements for a degree-seeking student can be found in the "Admission Policies" section of the Texas State Graduate Catalog. Individuals may apply for non-degree seeking "special student" admission from the Graduate College to enroll in computer science background courses before completing the GRE requirement.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation (effective Fall 2015)
  • An academic vitae (resume) (effective Fall 2015)
  • A Statement of Purpose (effective Fall 2015)

International students have additional admission requirements and should reference the "Admission Policies" section of the Texas State Graduate Catalog.

 

Background Requirements

Students may be required to take some undergraduate courses if they do not have a sufficient undergraduate computer science background. The minimum undergraduate background requirements are:

No less than a grade of C and no more than two C's in:

No grade below a C in:

  • Discrete Mathematics (MATH 5358 or equivalent)
  • Calculus I (MATH 2471)
  • Calculus II (MATH 2472)

See the Mathematics Home Page

 

Texas State University

Texas State University is located in San Marcos, Texas. San Marcos is situated at the edge of the Texas Hill Country and lies between Austin and San Antonio along Interstate 35. Austin is a fast-growing center of high tech industries and research consortia. Texas State's close proximity to both Austin and San Antonio provides graduate students with numerous opportunities in computer-oriented research, internships, and employment.

 

Contact Information

For more information about the graduate program in Computer Science, contact:

Texas State University
Department of Computer Science
Attn.: Graduate Advisor
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684
Telephone: (512) 245-3409
FAX: (512) 245-8750
E-mail:  cs_graduateadvisor@txstate.edu
http://cs.txstate.edu

To obtain more detailed information about master's programs, to apply for graduate admission, or to apply for non-degree special student admission, please write to:

Texas State University
The Graduate College
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666-4684
Telephone:(512)245-2581
Fax: (512) 245-8365
E-mail:  gradcollege@txstate.edu
http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu