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The Master of Science degree requires 36 credit hours of study. Any courses a student take to satisfy deficient foundation preparation course requirements should not be counted.

There are six credit hours of core requirements, including the following core courses, or their approved substitutions:

• CSCI 6530 Research Methods in Computer Science
• One of the following:
  • CSCI 5232 Concepts of Programming Languages and Compilers
  • CSCI 5432 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

There are also Sub-plan Requirements (15 hours) to provide depth and breadth in two focus areas to better prepare students for their professional careers.Students must complete three courses from one sub-plan and two from a second sub-plan. For students pursuing theses, credits from independent study in computer science (CSCI 5939) can be approved to fulfill sub-plan elective requirements.

Sub-plan 1: Web and Databases

• CSCI 5333 Database Management Systems (required course in this Sub-plan, and thus required for all M.S. students)
• CSCI 5433 Object Oriented Database Systems
• CSCI 5533 Distributed Information Systems
• CSCI 5633 Web Database Development
• CSCI 5733 XML Application Development
• CSCI 5833 Data Mining: Tools and Techniques
  

Sub-plan 2: Systems and Networking

• CSCI 5531 Advanced Operating Systems (required course in this Sub-plan, and thus required for all M.S. students)
• CSCI 5132 Internet Protocols
• CSCI 5233 Computer Security and Integrity
• CSCI 5235 Network Security
• CSCI 5431 Client-Server Based Network Programming
• CSCI 5631 N-tier Client Server Architectures
• CSCI 6532 Real-Time Systems
  

It is anticipated that additional sub-plans will be available in the future.

Both core requirements and Sub-plan requirements are compulsory for both the thesis and the extended course work options. Students more inclined to perform research can select the thesis option.

Thesis Option (15 Hours)

Required courses for thesis option.

• CENG/SWEN elective 5100-6000 level: 3 hours
• CENG/CSCI/SWEN electives, 4000-6000: 6 hours
• CSCI 6939 Master's Thesis Research: 6 hours
  

Students enrolling in the thesis option may take an independent study (CSCI 5931) to prepare for their thesis preparation. With the approval of the faculty advisor, it can be used as a selected course in the Sub-plan requirements.

Extended Course Work Option (15 Hours)

Students may also select the extended course option which requires the completion of a capstone project instead of a thesis. They should complete the following courses:

• CENG/CSCI/SWEN electives, 4000-6000 level: 6 hours
• CENG/SWEN elective, 5100-6000 level: 3 hours
• CSCI elective, 5100-6000 level: 3 hours
• CSCI 6838 Research Project and Seminar (taken during the last 12 hours, after completion of CSCI 5531, CSCI 5333 and the plan core): 3 hours.

Before take any electives, if the courses are not listed in their Candidate Plan of Study, students should ensure that the course is acceptable by consulting their faculty advisors.

Participation with PhD Degree at Texas A&M University

The Computer Science Department of Texas A&M University is accepting applications for the PhD plan from interested UHCL graduates. The degree requirements include minimal residence at the Texas A&M campus. Texas A&M University maintains the same entrance standards for all applicants. This case by case plan supports research within the Clear Lake area technical community. Individuals may contact the Chair of the UHCL Computer Science plan for details.