Computer Science, M.S.

The Master of Science degree program in Computer Science is designed to offer the advanced principles, applications, and current topics in computer science. Students who obtain the M.S. will be ready to do significant developmental work in the computer industry or in an important application area and will also be well qualified to pursue a Ph.D.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants may hold an acceptable bachelor’s degree in any field of study.

To attain classified standing at the time of admission, an applicant must:

have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 units and
have completed the following undergraduate prerequisite courses or equivalents with a minimum grade point average of 3.0: CSCI 40 , CSCI 41 , CSCI 60 , CSCI 80 , CSCI 113 , CSCI 114 CSCI 115 , CSCI 117 , CSCI 119 , MATH 75 , MATH 76 .

Applicants who do not meet the requirements 1 and 2 above may be admitted to conditionally classified standing to complete the remaining prerequisites at California State University, Fresno. Approved coursework up to a maximum of 10 units of the 30 units required for the M.S. can be taken concurrently with prerequisite courses by a student with conditionally classified standing.

To attain classified standing from conditionally classified standing, a student must complete the remaining prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all coursework taken toward the M.S. in Computer Science.

Graduate Writing Requirement

Students may fulfill this requirement by passing the writing component of CSCI 200 or CSCI 202 . Please see the graduate program coordinator for further information.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy requires the completion of 9 program units in residence, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework listed on the Advancement Petition, meeting the Graduate Writing Requirement, and an earned grade of B or better in either CSCI 200 or CSCI 202 .

Master of Science Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 units after the completion of the baccalaureate degree according to the criteria below. At least 21 units of the total must be taken in 200-level courses in computer science. The undergraduate courses used toward the bachelor’s degree or toward fully classified status may not be used toward the master’s degree.

Required Courses (12 units)

Choose option A or B below:

Option A:
CSCI 202 - Research Methods and Ethics in Computer Science Units: 3
OR

Option B (take both courses):
CSCI 200 - Introduction to Research in Computer Science Units: 1
CSCI 201 - CSCI Colloquium Units: 2
Choose one course from the following three options (See Note 1):
CSCI 274 - Combinatorial Algorithms Units: 3
CSCI 174 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms Units: 3
CSCI 188 - Introduction to Computability Units: 3
Choose one course from the following two options (See Note 2):
CSCI 213 - Computer Organization Units: 3
CSCI 246 - Computer Architecture Units: 3
CSCI 217 - Programming Language Principles Units: 3

Electives (9 units)

Choose three Computer Science elective courses between CSCI 226 through CSCI 291T, excluding CSCI 290.

Approved Electives (3-6 units)

Select 1-2 additional graduate-level CSCI courses. Non-graduate level CSCI courses or courses outside the department may be approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

Culminating Experience (3-6 units)

Choose one culminating experience from the options below for a minimum of 3 units.

CSCI 298 - Research Project Units: 3
OR
CSCI 299 - Master’s Thesis Units: 3-6
OR
Comprehensive Exam, concurrent with CSCI 297

Total: 30 Units

Advising Notes

Note 1: Students shall take CSCI 274 by default. Taking CSCI 174 or CSCI 188 requires the graduate coordinator’s prior approval. CSCI 274 can be taken as an elective for students who have taken either CSCI 174 or CSCI 188 as a required course.

Note 2: CSCI 246 is an elective choice for students who have taken CSCI 213 as a required course.