Nov 23, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog (As of 06-16-20) 
    
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2020-2021 Graduate Catalog (As of 06-16-20) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer and Information Sciences, M.S.

Renée McCauley, Program Director
843.953.3187
gradcs@cofc.edu
http://compsci.cofc.edu/graduate-programs/graduate-degees/index.php

Mission Statement

The mission of the graduate program in Computer and Information Sciences is to provide excellence in instruction, innovation in research and scholarship, and to serve a growing professional work force in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology and software engineering in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The goals of the graduate program in Computer and Information Sciences are

  • preparing the next generation of scholars and professionals capable of conducting basic research and extending the current knowledge base in the discipline
  • discovering and disseminating new knowledge in the field of computer science through research and scholarship
  • preparing innovators who can communicate their ideas and who understand their responsibilities as computer and information science professionals in a global society

The graduate program complements and strengthens the undergraduate program in Computer Science by providing advanced coursework in Computer Science and by encouraging creative thinking in research and scholarship.

Program Description

The College of Charleston and The Citadel offer a joint graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences. The program is offered primarily at Harbor Walk and is designed to serve a growing professional work force in computer science, information technology, software engineering and cybersecurity in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The 33-credit-hour program offers four areas of emphasis: computer science, information systems, software engineering and cybersecurity. Courses are taught in the evenings or late afternoons, accommodating the schedules of most professional students. Courses are offered on alternating days, permitting full-time students to schedule up to four courses (12 credit hours) in a semester.

Program Duration

A typical professional student might take two courses per semester during the fall and spring terms and one course during the summer. Such a schedule would put the student on track to graduate in two and a half years, depending on which degree-completion option is selected. Non-degree students simply desiring to build skills and expertise in one or more specialized areas may, of course, simply schedule such courses as desired. A full-time, degree-seeking student would typically take between three and four courses during the fall and spring terms and up to two courses during the summer, putting the student on track to graduate within a year and a half, depending on the degree-completion option.

Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students in the Department of Computer Science. The awards will normally be made by April 30 for the following academic year; applications indicating an interest in an assistantship should be completed by March 1. However, applications for assistantships will be considered throughout the year if funds permit.

Note: For information on additional financial aid, please refer to the financial information section  of the Graduate Catalog.

Admission Requirements and Application Deadlines


Institutional Admissions Requirements

  • A completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $50.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • International applicants should refer to the International Students area within the “Admissions Information”  section of the catalog for information on providing appropriate documentation with the application.

Program Admissions Requirements

  • One of the following options:
    • Completed an undergraduate degree in the last 5 years with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or higher earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
    • An undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher earned from a regionally accredited college or university. A GRE composite score of 300 and 4.0 analytical writing or a GMAT composite score of 500 and 4.0 analytical writing. There is a five-year time limit on the use of scores GRE/GMAT scores.
    • Completed a graduate certificate in the joint College of Charleston/The Citadel program in Computer and Information Sciences with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher.
    • An undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher earned from a regionally accredited college or university, a GRE composite score of 300 and 4.0 analytical writing or a GMAT composite score of 500 and 4.0 analytical writing, and the completion of six credits in the joint College of Charleston/The Citadel program in Computer and Information Sciences as a non-degree student with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher. There is a five-year time limit on the use of scores GRE/GMAT scores.
    • For students in the 4+1 BS/MS program at the College of Charleston, completed a minimum of one graduate course with a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher for all CSIS courses to continue as a full time graduate student.

  • Competency, demonstrated through course work, approved work experience, or a program-administrated competency exam, in the areas of basic Computer Architecture, Object-orientated Programming, Discrete Mathematics, Data Structures, and Statistics. Students who do not have background in CS/IS, need a grade of B or higher in prerequisite courses.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: January 15, priority*; July 1, final
  • Spring: November 1, priority; December 1, final
  • Summer: January 15, priority; April 1, final

*Candidates who submit a completed application by the priority deadline will automatically be considered for Graduate School and/or graduate program funding.

 

Transfer Credit Policy

An applicant or student of the M.S. in Computer and Information Sciences program can seek approval from the Joint Program Committee to accept up to nine transfer credit hours. These courses must have a grade of B or higher, and can count toward the M.S. in Computer and Information Sciences degree requirements. Courses with a grade of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” will not be accepted.

 

Program Requirements
Student Learning Outcomes