Master of Science in Computer Science

Plan Description

 Our master’s program gives you the opportunity to study different areas, including:

• Design and analysis of algorithms
• Operating and distributed systems
• Computer architecture and networking
• Computational geometry and robotics
• Computer graphics and image processing
• Programming languages and compiler construction
• Artificial intelligence and expert systems
• Database design, document analysis, and retrieval
• Software engineering 

Learning Outcomes

www.unlv.edu/degree/ms-computer-science

Plan Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following to the Graduate College:

1. An application and official transcripts of all college level work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
2. Two letters of recommendation concerning the student’s potential for succeeding in the graduate program.
3. Another set of official transcripts.
4. The results of the Graduate Record Examination current to within five years should be sent directly to the school.
5. In addition, applicants must have completed courses and their prerequisites equivalent to our undergraduate Programming Languages CS 326), Operating Systems (CS 370), Discrete Mathematics II (MATH 351), and Statistical Methods I (STAT 411) with an average grade of B or better.
6. The Computer Science Admission Committee may elect to admit an outstanding applicant who has not satisfied all of the background requirements on a conditional basis.
7. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

The student must complete these requirements before full admission to the program is granted.

Students who have not completed all the following courses (or equivalent courses) as part of their bachelor’s degree may be required to complete them as a condition of their admission. If taken as part of their master’s degree program, these courses may count toward the 30 credits required.

CS 656 - Automata and Formal Languages 

CS 677 - Analysis of Algorithms 

CS 660 - Compiler Construction 

Plan Requirements

 See Subplan Requirements below.   

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track
Subplan 2 Requirements: Project Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements 

Computer Science Courses – Credits: 24

Complete 24 credits of 600- or 700- level Computer Science (CS) courses. Students may complete up to 3 credits outside of CS. Outside credits must be related to the student’s research area and be approved by the school graduate committee.

Thesis – Credits: 6

CS 791 - Thesis 

Degree Requirements 

1. The student must pass at least 30 credits of 600- and 700-level courses with grades of C or better.
2. Students must complete 12 credits of 700-level CS courses (excluding thesis).
3. Courses in which the student earns a grade lower than C cannot be included in his or her program, and the student’s total grade point average (GPA) must be 3.00 or higher while in the program. A student whose GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. That student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 by the end of two subsequent semesters; otherwise the student will be separated from the graduate program. A student on probation will not be allowed to register for CS 690, CS 790, CS 791, CS 792, CS 799, or equivalent courses in another department.
4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
5. The student must submit a thesis conforming to the specifications of the Graduate College and pass a final oral examination covering the thesis and relevant course work.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public. .
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Project Track

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements  

Computer Science Courses – Credits: 27

Complete 27 credits of 600- or 700- level Computer Science (CS) courses. Students may complete up to 3 credits outside of CS. Outside credits must be related to the student’s research area and be approved by the school graduate committee.

Project – Credits: 3

CS 790 - Master’s Project 

Degree Requirements 

1. The student must pass at least 30 credits of 600- and 700-level courses with grades of C or better.
2. Students must complete 15 credits of 700-level CS courses (excluding the project).
3. Courses in which the student earns a grade lower than C cannot be included in his or her program, and the student’s total grade point average (GPA) must be 3.00 or higher while in the program. A student whose GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. That student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 by the end of two subsequent semesters; otherwise the student will be separated from the graduate program. A student on probation will not be allowed to register for CS 690, CS 790, CS 791, CS 792, CS 799, or equivalent courses in another department.
4. The student must complete a computer science project and a report approved by his/her advisor and pass a final oral examination over the project and relevant course work.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must successfully complete a master’s project.

Plan Graduation Requirements

Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements. 

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Project Track