MSACS Overview

The MSACS is perfect for the working professional in computing and information technology, who is interested in obtaining a graduate degree in computer science, concurrent with work and family commitments. Courses are offered in an optional cohort/learning-community program, or as a more traditional program. Students will complete the program in 22 months (5 semesters including a summer semester).

The program offers students a true graduate-school experience, with high expectations and intensive learning. Students are expected to study hard, complete projects, master new technologies and new science, participate in discussions, and make presentations. The program offers opportunities to work on research projects, offers research assistantships, and provides support for students to present their work at conferences. The program is designed as a part-time program, with two 3-hour courses each semester, plus additional research, project or electives.

The Classic-Cohort (Available for Fall start only) is designed to facilitate graduate studies for those with computing industry experience and degrees in fields other than Computer Science, and includes five foundation-building courses:

CS 8430 Object-Oriented Analysis & Design (Java)
CS 8421 Computing Systems
CS 8422 Advanced Computing Systems
CS 8680 Digital Game Design (Java and etc.)
CS 8411 Embedded Systems

The Classic Cohort builds a learning community of students moving through the program's course as a group. Prerequisite foundations for the Classic Cohort include mathematics, physical science, computer programming, understanding of computer hardware. Work experience can selectively replace certain prerequisite knowledge foundations at the discretion of the program director with demonstration of student competency in the knowledge area.

Applied Research Cohort: for students with undergraduate degrees in a CS or closely related field, is available for both Fall and Spring enrollment. More research and electives and includes a thesis option.

Web-Based Instruction Delivery
Instruction is delivered both on campus in a conventional classroom, and at a distance, using web-based technologies. Students are allowed to attend lectures on campus, or remote and live. All lectures are also recorded, allowing students to view class, lecture, interactions with students, at their convenience. The recorded lectures are also a great resource for studying. Real-time distance interaction between the students and professor is supported using Voice-over-IP and online "chat". All in-class discussion goes out over the web interface, in is incorporated into the archived lecture. All courses meet in our technology-equiped seminar room, in the Clendenin Computer Science building, room 3028.

Premium Program Features:

Outstanding Faculty
Innovative and modern topics
Flexible Distance Lectures
Archived Recorded Lectures
Laptop Computer
PDA
Robotics Kit
Books and fees included
Professional Certification or project
Professional Conference or project
Embedded Microprocessors and components
Digital Experiment Lab

Full or Part-Time Status
The program is designed to accommodate the needs of the working professional, balancing a career with part-time study. For those students who need to have full-time status (9 graduate hours per Fall-Spring semester, 6 hours summer) additional hours are integrated into the student's schedule at no additional cost, without changing the time required to graduate.