The University of Arizona

Graduate Info

Master's Program

The Master of Science (MS) program offers students strong academic preparation for work in industry and research. Most of our students complete a course work–based degree; students who are especially well-prepared may be approved for the thesis option described below.

MS Synopsis (PDF)

Programs of Study

Students elect to pursue either a course work- or thesis-based MS degree. The course work requirements differ slightly; the primary difference is that thesis-based MS students must complete a significant research project.

Course Work MS (31 total units)

Thesis MS (30 total units)

Core Curriculum (Course Work and Thesis Options)

MS students must take 6 courses (18 units) from the following four different core areas. They must take 2 courses from each of two areas, and 1 course from each of the remaining core areas.

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 (Course Work and Thesis Options)
All students take one of the following advanced topics courses (3 units):

Electives (Course Work and Thesis Options take different number of units)
Elective units must be graduate courses in Computer Science or other related departments consistent with the program of study selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. With prior approval, individual studies or research courses may be taken as electives. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average for all courses used to fulfill degree requirements and in all graduate work at The University of Arizona.

Colloquium (Course Work Option only)
Course work MS students must attend a minimum of 10 colloquia during your temure in the department to earn credit for the required one-unit colloquium (C SC 695A). Registration for C SC 695A typically takes place during the last semester of study, though students should not wait until the last semester to attend these research talks. Students submit a required colloquia form which is made available during the talk for attendance to be recorded.

The Thesis Option
Students who intend to continue their studies in a PhD program should consider pursuing the thesis option as it will better prepare you for research. Successful completion of a master's thesis requires adequate preparation, original research, and a high degree of independence. Permission to take the Thesis Option is granted to qualified, motivated, and well-prepared students. In addition to the course work outlined above, students enroll in 6 units of thesis work. The student must pass a final oral examination, which includes a defense of the thesis.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a Master of Science in Computer Science, students need to have met the following requirements.

  1. Earn A's and B's in all core courses
  2. 3.0 cummlative grade point average
  3. The beginning of your final semester you must submit a Master's / Specialist Plan of Study to Graduate College. Please fill the form out online at Graduate College, print and have your faculty advisor approve. Once you have received your faculty advisors signature, bring the form to the Graduate Advisor in GLD-S 901 for final approval and submission to Graduate College.
  4. Verify via UAccess Student Center the address you want your diploma to be sent.

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. Our Science Masters Option has an innovative curriculum which includes practical experience and core business coursework; students are required to complete a summer internship and take two business courses: Project Management and Foundations of Business for Scientists.