Computer Science, MS

Admissions Requirements

The department is open to applications from exceptional students transitioning to graduate study in Computer Science from other undergraduate fields. Transitional students with demonstrated computing aptitude, as evidenced by outstanding grades in at least 4 of the required computer science courses noted below, may be considered for admission to the graduate program. Completed minimally a selection of courses in the following topical areas (the corresponding Pitt course numbers are indicated):

In Computer Science, one course in each of:

• Intermediate Programming (CMPINF 0401 )
• Discrete Structures (CS 0441 )
• Information/Data Structures (CS 0445 )
• Computer Organization/Assembly Language (CS 0447 )
• Theory (CS 1510  or CS 1511 )
• Languages (CS 1520  or CS 1621 )
• Systems (CS 1550  or CS 1651 )

In Mathematics, the following:

• The two-course calculus sequence (MATH 0220 , MATH 0230 )
• A course in linear algebra (MATH 1180  or MATH 0280 )
• A course in probability and statistics, requiring calculus as prerequisite (STAT 1151 , STAT 1152  )

At the time of enrollment, the student must hold a BS degree.

Degree Requirements

General Requirements

• All courses except the project or thesis must be taken for a letter grade.
• The student must recieve a grade of B or better in each of the Foundation Area courses, a grade of B- or better for all other courses, and must maintain an overall average of B or better.
• The additional coursework cannot include independent or directed study courses (CS 2990  , CS 3000 ), MS thesis (CS 2000 ) or project (CS 2910 ), graduate internship (CS 2900  ), cooperative (CS 2905  ), or research courses (CS 2001  , CS 2002  , CS 2003  and CS 3900 ).
• Two CS 20XX courses are allowed as additional coursework, the remaining additional courses must be 21XX or higher.
• One course may be taken outside the department if approved by GPEC.  The outside course will reduce by one the number of allowed CS 20XX courses.

Timetable

MS degrees must be completed within four calendar years from the student’s initial registration for graduate studies. This limit applies to all students, whether full-time or part-time. Normally, full-time students will complete the degree within two years.

Copies of the thesis must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the examination.

The project report must be submitted to the advisor at least a week in advance of the end of the term.

MS Thesis or Project

There are two options for completing the MS degree: the thesis option and the project option.

For the thesis option, the student must complete a written thesis, taking six credits of CS 2000 , which must be taken with the S/N grading option. The student’s advisor will assist them in selecting a thesis committee, to consist of at least three faculty members, at least two members must be from Computer Science (one being your advisor) and at most one from outside the department or University (all three could be from Computer Science). The committee will conduct a public oral final examination. The committee must be formed with all names sent to the graduate administrator at least four weeks before the examination date

The committee will vote on the outcome and sign a report that will be filed in the SCI Graduate Students Office. The oral examination is public and open to all members of the Computer Science Department. It must be announced to CSD via the faculty and graduate mailing lists at least one week prior to its scheduled date. The announcement must include a title, an abstract, name of advisor(s), name of committee members, date of examination, and location of examination.

Students that choose the thesis option must declare this pathway by completing the Graduate Academic Plan (Degree/Specialization) Change form, found on the School Forms webpage.

For the project option, the student must complete a Master’s project, taking three credits of CS 2910 , with the S/N grading option. Approval of a project report by the advisor is required.

Both CS 2000  and CS 2910  are closed courses, requiring approval of the faculty advisor for enrollment.

MS Internships and Co-Ops

MS students are eligible to enroll in MS Internship (CS 2900 ) or Co-Op (CS 2905 ) to supplement their in-class education with practical training. MS students can register at most twice for any combination of CS 2900  or CS 2905  (two internships, two Co-Ops, or one internship and one Co-Op). International students must complete two semesters of full-time study prior to qualifying for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Note that OIS is unlikely to approve CPT authorization during the final semester of study; please talk to the graduate studies administrator or the DGS for more information regarding these issues.

Students wishing to complete an MS Internship (CS 2900 ) or Co-Op (CS 2905 ) as part of their MS degree must fill out a learning agreement in conjunction with their employer and their faculty advisor in the CS Department. Please note that MS Internships or Co-Ops not contributing substantively to a student’s graduate education will not be approved by the Department.

Completed Learning Agreement forms (with all signatures) should be turned in to the graduate studies administrator prior to the add/drop deadline for the term in which the Internship or the Co-Op will take place. 

Financial Support

Students whose goal is a terminal Masters degree do not receive financial support from the department. Occasionally, opportunities for financial support for part time instruction may be available. It is the responsibility of the student to watch and apply for these opportunities, when they are announced.