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Computer Science Masters

Masters Curriculum

Masters students may choose one of two options – the thesis option or the non thesis option. Both are 30 semester hour programs. The latter requires more coursework and, of course, does not require that a thesis be written. One might think of a thesis as being a “mini” PhD dissertation. MS non-thesis option students must, in their last term, submit to the CS Graduate Committee, a portfolio detailing all major activities in which they have participated as a result of their tenure in the program. This should include a SASS audit, resume, details of term papers, projects, etc.

Graduate course descriptions in Computer Science are found online at the UCF Division of Graduate Studies online Course Catalog.
Students

MS Degree Requirements

a) CDA 5106 and COT 5405, both with a grade of B (3.0) or better. (6 credit hours)

b) A 5000 and 6000 level pair of CS courses in a single area of discourse, both with a grade of B (3.0) or better. (6 credit hours)

c) At most 6 credit hours of non CS coursework (approval must be received from the graduate coordinator prior to registration).

d) Thesis option – 6 credit hours of Thesis (CXX 6971) and at least 24 credit hours of coursework (at most 3 of these can be Independent Study credit).

e) Non Thesis option – A portfolio submission and at least 30 credit hours of coursework (at most 6 hours of these can be Independent Study credits and/or Directed research credits).

f) A total of at least 30 semester hours of credit at the 5-6000 level of Computer Science or ECE courses (Prefixes CAP, CDA, CEN, CIS, CNT, COP, and COT). The total may include up to 6 credit hours of CS related courses from outside CS department only if approved by the graduate coordinator. At least half of these credits (15) must be at the 6000 level, and under no circumstances can they contain CXX 7919 (Doctoral Research) credit, undergraduate credit, or 5000 level CGS courses.


Application Deadlines

Fall Priority
January 15
Spring
December 1

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Plan of Study (POS)

The Plan of Study (POS), sometimes referred to as the Program of Study, is an agreement between the student, the program, and the University that lists the coursework taken to satisfy the requirements for completing the degree. The POS for students is flexible and unique to each student. However, it must meet university, college, and department rules for minimum number of hours, etc. (see Degree Requirements, above).

All graduate students must have a Plan of Study (POS) on file, approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator, by the completion of 9 credit hours after entering the program. This is mandatory! The College of Graduate Studies automatically places a “hold” on future registration for non-compliance. The default advisor for non-thesis MS students is the Graduate Coordinator.

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Deadlines for submission of the POS are October 15 for Fall semester and March 15 for Spring semester.

Students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 for each course on his or her final POS, as well as 3.0 GPA for all coursework taken since entering the program.

No course can be on a plan of study with a grade below 2.0. At most two courses can have a grade below 3.0. No coursework can appear on a POS that is more than 7 years old at the time of graduation.

The POS can, and usually will, be revised later to reflect changes in the courses actually taken, but it is crucial that a POS be on file, signed by the student and the faculty advisor, and approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator. Any variation from the POS must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator and then immediately reflected in an updated POS.


Synopsis/Time Line

  1. Admission into the MS program
  2. File an initial Plan of Study (by the 9th credit hour)
  3. Decide between the Thesis and Non Thesis Options
  4. Obtain a thesis advisor/committee
  5. Complete coursework
  6. Prepare and submit Portfolio
  7. 6 hours of thesis (Cxx 6971)
  8. Write and defend thesis



Transfer of Credit

Students, with the approval of their advisor and the graduate coordinator, can transfer up to 9 credit hours, of B grade (3.0) or better, in graduate coursework (no Independent Study/Thesis credit) from another program at UCF or from an regionally accredited institution. This must appear on the initial POS submitted by the student within their first 9 credit hours in the CS graduate program.

The mechanics of transferring coursework must begin early in the first semester in order that the process is completed by the 9th credit hour. See the Graduate Secretary for details.

In no case can courses with a grade below a B (3.0) be transferred, nor can undergraduate credit.



Accelerated BS to MS – Computer Science

UCF provides an opportunity for its Computer Science (CS) undergraduates to earn their Bachelors and Masters Degrees (BS – MS) in five years and, where appropriate, the Ph.D. in an additional two to three years. This is achieved by allowing students to dual count 12 credit hours of 5000- or 6000-level courses with B or better grades towards both the BS and MS requirements in CS.
 
For more information about the BS to MS Program, please visit: http://www.cecs.ucf.edu/current-students/bs-ms-program/

Graduate Contact Info

Questions and Appointments
Jeanine Clements
Phone: (407) 882-2313
Email: csgrad@ucf.edu

Advising and Approval
Dr. Wei Zhang
Phone: (407) 823-2638
Email: csgrad@ucf.edu