Computer Science (M.S.)

Purdue University
Master of Science (M.S.)

Department of Computer Science
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Beomjin Kim, Chair
260-481-6180 or 481-6803

Jin Soung Yoo, Graduate Program Director
260-481-6946

www.ipfw.edu/cs ~ Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Building 125

The Master of Science with a major in computer science (CS) is designed to meet the objectives of students with a professional interest in computer-related fields and to help meet the computing expertise needs of their employers. As the name implies, the philosophy of the program is applied. Courses of the program stress a hands-on approach, applying theory to the practical problems of developing computing and information systems with large software content. To meet the needs of working professionals, courses are primarily offered in the evening.

Graduates of the program will be in a position to assume leadership roles in:

Providing technological and managerial perspectives on information management and the development of information systems;
Formulating and assessing requirements for complex software-based systems;
Using the principles of systems analysis and software engineering to design, implement, and test complex software-based systems; and
Keeping abreast of the content and implications of technological advancements in computer sciences.

Financial Aid

There are a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships available that include a stipend and substantial fee remission. Generally these are not available to first-term students.

Program Delivery

On-campus

Declaring This Major

Procedure to declare major

General Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program should have an undergraduate degree in engineering, business, mathematics, computer science, or another undergraduate degree and significant experience in professional computer practice. Program entrance requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, proficiency in a high-level computer language equivalent to a two-semester college course, a course in data structures, a course in statistics or probability based on two semesters of calculus, and a course in finite or discrete mathematics.

As an example, the following IPFW courses satisfy the admissions requirements for the computer science graduate program:

CS 26000 - Data Structures Cr. 3.
CS 36000 - Software Engineering Cr. 3.
MA 17500 - Discrete Mathematics Cr. 3.
STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods Cr. 3.

The admission process is selective and meeting the above minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Applicants to the CS graduate program are expected to submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE): the quantitative, analytic, and verbal aptitude components.

These requirements are in addition to the standard admission requirements of the Purdue Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum requires 30 credit hours of approved graduate credit chosen with the guidance of a graduate advisor. The program will be configured to each individual’s needs. Six of the 30 credit hours will be chosen from the following courses:

ACS 56000 - Software Engineering Cr. 3.
CS 58000 - Algorithm Design Analysis and Implementation Cr. 3.
CS 50300 - Operating Systems Cr. 3 or
ACS 57400 - Advanced Computer Networks Cr. 3.

Remaining Requirements

Non-thesis Option

The remaining 24 credit hour minimum will be chosen from the CS courses listed in the Graduate Bulletin. All of these courses have CS 260 and STAT 511 or equivalents as prerequisites unless stated otherwise. Many have additional undergraduate prerequisites. A limited number of other graduate courses in mathematics, engineering, and occasionally business may be approved on an individual basis.

Thesis Option

ACS 69800 - Research M.S. Thesis (6 credits) is requested. The remaining 18 credit hours will be chosen from the CS courses listed in the Graduate Bulletin. All of these courses have CS 260 and STAT 511 or equivalents as prerequisites unless stated otherwise. Many have additional undergraduate prerequisites. A limited number of other graduate courses in mathematics, engineering, and occasionally business may be approved on an individual basis.