Program Description
The 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 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 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.
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.
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Computer Science Admission Requirements
Thirty-two (32) quarter units (8 courses) of upper division Computer Science coursework that covers a broad range of Computer Science and includes the following five courses or their equivalents.
Mathematics Requirements for Admission
Successful completion of equivalent courses and prerequisties for all mathematics requirements is also required.
A year of Calculus
Probability or Statistics Requirements for Admission
One upper division course (and any prerequisites) from the following list is required::
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.
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