The University of Arizona

Graduate Info

Master's Program

The Master of Science (M.S.) program offers students strong academic preparation for work in industry and research. The curriculum consists of required course work of 30-31 units. The program is classroom-based with opportunities for research participation. Students who are especially well prepared may be approved for the thesis option described below.

MS Synopsis (PDF)

Program of Study

MS students must take 6 courses from the following core areas.  The number of courses they take from these four core areas must follow the distribution 2, 2, 1, 1, but the student can choose from which areas they take 2 courses and from which areas they take 1 course.

In addition to the core, MS students must also take 3 electives, 1 advanced topics course, and either 1 colloquium course or the thesis option.

Computing Systems
 525, Principles of Computer Networking
 552, Advanced Operating Systems
 553, Principles of Compilation
 576, Computer Architecture

Software Systems
 520, Principles of Programming Languages
 522, Parallel and Distributed Computing
 560, Database Systems Implementation

Theory and Algorithms
 545, Design and Analysis of Algorithms
 573, Theory of Computation

Applications
 533, Computer Graphics
 537, Computational Geometry
 577, Introduction to Computer Vision

Advanced Topics
All students take one of the following advanced topics courses (3 units):

Electives
The remaining 9 units must be graduate courses (in Computer Science or other related departments) consistent with the program of study. With prior approval, individual studies or research courses may be taken as electives. All electives must be approved by the student's advisor. A grade point average of 3.0 for all courses used to fulfill degree requirements is required for the M.S. degree. In addition, students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate work at The University of Arizona.

Colloquium Requirement or Thesis Option

Students may choose between a colloquium requirement or thesis option. It is highly recommended that students intending on continuing their studies in a Ph.D. program take the thesis option as it will better prepare you for research.

Colloquium
A one unit colloquium requirement (C SC 695A) consisting of attending a minimum of 10 colloquiums during your course of study within the department. This is a requirement of all Computer Science Masters students unless they choose the thesis option. Registration for C SC 695A should take place during the last semester of study. Attendance of the required 10 colloquia may take place any time during the students tenure within the department, the student should not wait until the last semester to attend these research talks. Attendance will only be counted when a student submits the required colloquia form which is made available during the talk.

The Thesis Option
Successful completion of a master's thesis requires adequate preparation, sufficient time, original research and a high degree of independence. Permission to take the Thesis Option is granted to qualified, motivated, and well-prepared students. An approved thesis program consists of 24 units of course work (18 units core, 3 units Advanced Topic, 3 units elective (> 500)) and 6 units of thesis work. The student must pass a final oral examination, which includes a defense of the thesis.

 

Science Masters Option

Many potential employers of MS graduates expect more than a solid education in the foundations of our field. Particularly, knowledge of business practices and project management, along with hands-on practical experience, are highly encouraged. With this in mind, our Science Masters Option addresses both problems with an innovative curriculum which includes practical experience and core business coursework. With this option, students are required to take two business courses: Project Management and Foundations of Business for Scientists. In addition, a summer internship is required.