Jan 15, 2025

2015-2016 CSU East Bay Catalog

2015-2016 CSU East Bay Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, M.S.

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Program Description

The Mathematics and Computer Science Department offers graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science. This program is designed to extend the student’s knowledge in a broad manner beyond the baccalaureate degree major in Computer Science. It will both (1) deepen general understanding of theoretical principles and (2) provide specific professional background. This approach is especially important in Computer Science, where training in specific languages and systems and on specific machines is transitory, as these languages, systems, and machines evolve. In contrast, many of the principles will last and generally apply to a wide variety of specializations within the field. This breadth is important to individual students because many of them will have a number of different job classifications in their working lives.

Our program features small classes that allow for close contact between students and faculty. Most graduate classes are offered in the late afternoon or early evening, making it possible for working students to attend. Some courses toward the M.S. degree may also be taken during the summer quarter. Students may begin their studies in any one of the four quarters.

Students interested in the M.S. degree program in Computer Science should speak with the Computer Science Graduate Coordinator. The Math and Computer Science Department also offers a Master of Science degree program in Computer Networks.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.S. in Computer Science will be able to:

apply advanced computer science theory to problems;
demonstrate advanced understanding of the mechanisms, components and architecture of current computing systems;
generate and process useful representations of knowledge;
critique, plan and produce complex software applications, and
research and analyze current computer science literature.

Career Opportunities

Systems Analyst
Program Analyst or Designer
Systems Manager or Programmer
Scientific Applications Programmer
Computer Operations Manager
Graphics Specialist
Software Engineer
Programming Team Member, possibly specializing in Design, Testing, or Documentation
Computer Network Support
Database Applications Programmer or Administrator
Computer Sales Representative
Customer Support
Technical Writer
Teacher/Professor

Faculty

The faculty of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department hold doctorates in a wide variety of areas. They have a strong commitment to high quality teaching, and have interests in fields such as computer graphics, networks, numerical analysis, compiler design, computer simulation, parallel programming, computer architecture, automata, multimedia, cryptography, computational complexity, language design and implementation, graph theory, microcomputer architecture, and database systems.

Features

Computer Science students at Cal State East Bay have access to some of the most modern and powerful computer equipment available. The campus provides a network backbone, including connection to the Internet, personal computers, and wireless network access. Several computer labs on campus offer terminal access and assistance with problems.

Cal State has an active Computing Club, which hosts industry tours as well as academic and social events and is involved with a number of ongoing projects.

Scholarships

Each year the department awards a number of scholarships covering a large portion of the fees for the subsequent year. Scholarship applications may be obtained from the department office during the Winter quarter.

Admission

To apply for admission to the Master of Science program in Computer Science, a student must submit the proper forms, fees and transcripts to the university’s Office of Admissions, which reviews each application initially. Each applicant must have their scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) submitted directly to the department. The department then reviews the application, making the decision whether to accept or reject the applicant.

A student wishing to enter this program must normally have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or in a related field, with courses in Computer Science as indicated below, and must have a grade point average of 2.75 in all undergraduate work and a 3.00 grade point average in the Computer Science Core and Mathematics courses listed below.

Computer Science Admission Requirements

Twenty-eight (28) quarter units (7 courses) of upper division Computer Science coursework that covers a broad range of Computer Science and includes the following four courses or their equivalents.

CS 3120 - Programming Language Concepts Units: 4
CS 3240 - Data Structures and Algorithms Units: 4
CS 3430 - Computer Architecture Units: 4
CS 4560 - Operating Systems Units: 4
Successful completion of equivalents to all the following mathematics requirements is also required.

Mathematics Requirements for Admission

MATH 2101 - Elements of Linear Algebra Units: 4
MATH 2150 - Discrete Structures Units: 4

A year of Calculus

An upper division course in Probability or Statistics

STAT 3401 - Introduction to Probability Theory I Units: 4
STAT 3502 - Statistical Inference I Units: 4
STAT 3601 - Statistics and Probability for Science and Engineering I Units: 4

A student who has not met all of the above requirements may

A student who has not met all of the above requirements may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the department as a “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student, provided the student’s record clearly demonstrates the capability of meeting all these requirements.

No more than 20 quarter units taken while in “Conditionally Classified Graduate” status may be applied to the degree. Note that courses used to make up deficiencies for admission may not be applied toward the master’s degree. A “Conditionally Classified Graduate” student who has no course deficiencies, a “B” or better average in at least 12 quarter units of post-baccalaureate study, and has satisfied the University Writing Skills requirement should petition the graduate coordinator for admission to the master’s degree program with “Classified Graduate” status. A maximum of 13 units taken as an “Unclassified Post-baccalaureate” student may be applied to a master’s degree.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy is a university requirement for graduation from a master’s degree program. A student with “Classified Graduate” status may apply for Advancement to Candidacy after completing at least 16 quarter units towards the master’s degree with a “B” average, including at least two 6000 level Computer Science courses with a “B” or better average.

Before Advancement to Candidacy, a student’s complete course of study must be approved by the Computer Science Graduate Coordinator.

Degree Requirements

The following departmental requirements are in addition to the university requirements.

A. Required Courses (10 units)

CS 6000 - Research Methodologies Units: 2
CS 6260 - Computation and Complexity Units: 4
CS 6560 - Operating Systems Design Units: 4

B. Breadth Requirement (16 units)

Two courses from each of the following two categories (16 units)

Development/Theory (8 units)

CS 6170 - Automata and Formal Languages Units: 4
CS 6310 - Advanced Software Engineering Units: 4
CS 6320 - Software Engineering of Web-Based Systems Units: 4
CS 6520 - Cryptography and Data Security Units: 4
CS 6522 - Advanced WWW Software Development Units: 4
CS 6715 - Data Compression Units: 4
CS 6810 - Topics in Artificial Intelligence Units: 4
CS 6820 - Machine Learning Units: 4
CS 6870 - Computer Simulation Units: 4
MATH 6750 - Topics in Advanced Numerical Analysis Units: 4
or
CS 6750 - Topics in Numerical Analysis Units: 4

Systems/Architecture (8)

CS 6110 - Theory and Design of Compilers Units: 4
CS 6432 - VLSI Systems Design Units: 4
CS 6525 - Network Security Units: 4
CS 6570 - Distributed Computation Units: 4
CS 6580 - Distributed Systems Units: 4
CS 6660 - Database Systems Units: 4
CS 6752 - Digital Signal Processing Units: 4
CS 6825 - Computer Vision Units: 4

C. Capstone Experience (1-5 units)

A student must select and satisfy one of the following capstone requirements:

1. Capstone Experience

CS 6901 - Graduate Synthesis in Computer Science Units: 4

A student must successfully complete at least 30 units of study including all required courses

A student must successfully complete at least 30 units of study including all required courses, satisfy the WST requirement, and be in good standing before enrolling in Capstone Experience.

CS 6000 - Research Methodologies Units: 2
CS 6260 - Computation and Complexity Units: 4
CS 6560 - Operating Systems Design Units: 4

2. Departmental Thesis

Students who write a thesis must have an advisor who agrees to oversee the work, and must have the proposed topic approved by the Computer Science Graduate Studies Committee.

CS 6909 - Departmental Thesis Units: 1-5

D. Electives (14-18 units)

The following courses (or their equivalents) may be counted toward the master’s degree:

Any graduate course in Computer Science (except CS 6899 ) may be applied to this category.
Any Computer Science course numbered 3000 (except CS 3898 ) or higher, provided it has not been already applied toward a B.S. degree or toward prerequisites for admission. This restriction includes equivalent courses from other degree programs; exceptions require the approval of the Computer Science Graduate Committee.
MATH 3151 - Combinatorics Units: 4
MATH 4151 - Graph Theory Units: 4

E. Courses equivalent to

if not completed before admission to the M.S. program.

CS 4170 - Theory of Automata Units: 4
or
CS 6170 - Automata and Formal Languages Units: 4
CS 4245 - Analysis of Algorithms Units: 4

F. Unit and Grade Requirements

At least 45 quarter units of approved upper division and graduate work. Of these, at least 26 units must be approved graduate (6000- level) courses. All work toward the 45 units must be at an average grade of “B” (3.0) or higher. Grades below “C-” will not be counted as prerequisites or toward the degree.

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation which are described in the Graduate Degree Information chapter of this catalog. These requirements include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five-year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 GPA, and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.