The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) provides students with a broad background in software development and other core disciplines of computer science. This core background serves as a sound foundation for CS graduate students as they develop a substantial software project - either as a research-driven or commercially sponsored project.

Small classes and close interaction with full-time faculty are a hallmark of graduate education at USF. Along with the full-time teaching and research faculty, outside experts bring real-word computing experience to the classroom. In the Harney Science Center on the USF campus, a state-of-the-art computer and multimedia studio was constructed and endowed with a $2.5 million gift from a Computer Science alumnus. Students and faculty also maintain the W.M. Keck Computer Cluster (a Myrinet-connected network of 128 processors which provides students with on-site access to one of the most powerful computers at a liberal arts university).

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Emphasis in Entrepreneurship

The United States excels at entrepreneurship, and USF claims one of the top entrepreneurial business schools in the nation. Ranked in the Top Tier of University Entrepreneurship Programs by  Entrepreneur  magazine and in the Top 25 of "America's Most Entrepreneurial Campuses" by  Forbes and Princeton Review  - the M.S. in Computer Science Program has joined with USF's MBA Entrepreneurship Program to offer the classic M.S. in Computer Science with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship .

Working while you go to school

USF is your gateway to the Silicon Valley. The computer science graduate school at USF now offers a Practicum Option that allows students to gain practical work experience in the Silicon Valley while going to school. Students approved for the Practicum Option typically earn between $20 and $40 per hour, which makes school much easier to afford. Students take internships with companies such as BEA, Adobe, SAP, Intel, Tec hnorati, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and Internet Archive.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the graduate program include the GRE General scores (verbal score not considered) and the following (USF course equivalents are in parentheses):

• High-level Programming (CS 110 - C, C++, Scheme, ML, Java, etc.)
• Object-oriented Programming (CS 112 - C++, Java)
• Low-level Assembly Language/Systems Programming (CS 210 - Intel preferred)
• Calculus and Analytic Geometry (M109 - differential & integral; business calculus not accepted)
• Linear Algebra and Probability (M201)
• Discrete Math (M202)
• Algorithms on Data Structures (CS 245)

Foundation Requirements

The foundation requirements are not required for admission to the graduate program, but must be completed while at USF to achieve regular status as a graduate student. These requirements are waived if they have been met by previous university-level studies (including self-study) or work experience:

• Computer Architecture (CS 315)
• Operating Systems (CS 326)
• Compilers (CS 414 or both of the following: CS 345 Programming Language Paradigms and CS 411 Automata)

The program involves the completion of 36 units of credit. Graduate students undertake 9 courses, or 8 courses and a master's thesis (each course is 4 units). Graduate students who have not met the Foundation Requirements may need to complete additional coursework at USF.  The courses must be chosen as follows:

2 electives may be used to satisfy foundational requirements or to shore up areas of weakness.

Every MSCS student must take one course from each of the core areas:

Web systems and algorithms
Computer Architecture
Network Design
Network Programming
Parallel and Distributed Computing
Advanced Microcomputer Programming
Advanced Systems Programming
Operating Systems
Computer Graphics
Programming Languages
Artificial Intelligence Programming
Algorithms
Theory of Computation
Special Topics in Computer Science
Master's Project
Directed Reading and Research
Master's Thesis
(see course descriptions )

Advanced Undergraduate Courses as Graduate Electives

Automata Theory
Compilers
Computer Graphics
Numerical Analysis
Logic for Computer Science and Math
Computers and Society
Special topics in Computer Science
(see course descriptions beginning at CS 411)

Master's Project

The Master's degree requires that all students undertake a Master's project. The project can be either a sponsored project for a commercial concern or other institution or a research project. In either case, the project will result in the specification, design, and development of a significant software system with full documentation, an oral presentation to the university community, and a written report. The Master's Project is offered every semester .

Master's Thesis

The thesis is not required and is reserved for exceptional students. It is not a substitute for the Master's Project, and is normally a continuation of work undertaken in a Master's Project.

Grade requirements

To be acceptable for the M.S. degree, each course must be selected with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator and must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Moreover, the average grade of all courses taken to fulfill the M.S. degree requirements must be B (3.0) or better.  Any semester in which the students GPA drops below 3.0, that are placed on probation. After a second semester on probation, the university will move to dismiss them from the program. Those students with fellowships must maintain a 3.3 GPA. At the close of the semester in which the student's GPA drops below 3.3, that student immediately loses any promised fellowship money.