MS Computer Science for students with 3-year bachelors

USF offers a special MSCS program that provides a unique opportunity for students with three-year undergraduate degrees to pursue a masters degree in The United States. Students with undergraduate degrees in technical disciplines such as Indian bachelors of computer applications (BCA) and bachelors of science (BSc) take an intensive year of preparatory "foundation" courses at USF in addition to the regular masters degree courses for the MS Computer Science. Including the foundation year, the MSCS program for those with three-year undergraduate degrees takes a total of three years. New students are accepted each Fall. Students take 5 extra courses in the first year and then take 8 MSCS courses over the next 2 years (CS342 from the foundation year reduces their graduate requirements by one course).

USF's MSCS program is an extremely practical and rigorous program taught by a highly motivated faculty with Ph.D.s from top US institutions. They are dedicated to providing each student with an excellent education. Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to academic achievement with high marks and have a strong desire to become a top software developer. The TOEFL and GRE exams are required. The cost of the program is US$19,100 for the foundation year and an additional US$30,880 for MSCS. On campus jobs are plentiful and can cover much of your living expenses. In addition, students can elect to take Practicum courses (after first 9 months of study) in order to work in the Silicon Valley during school. Note that, according to Information Week magazine, application developers in San Francisco made between US$80,000 and US$115,000 per year in 2005. Students may do Optional Practical Training (OPT) for one year after the MSCS using the student visa, but must obtain a work visa to remain in the U.S. after that period.

The following table describes the foundation year for entering students wishing to obtain an MSCS degree: 

                   
                    Fall
                    

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                    MA201 Discrete math
                    

                    CS245 Data structures
                    

                    CS220 Parallel computing & C programming
                    

                    

                    Spring
                    

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                    CS342 Software engineering (counts towards MS degree)
                    

                    CS326 Operating systems
                    

                    

                    Required courses after "foundation" year, taken as part of MS
                    

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                    CS414 Compilers
                    

                    CS315 Computer architecture