Master of Science in Computer Science

Requires 48 quarter hours of graduate-level course work, including COMP 3351, COMP 3361, COMP 3371, COMP 3200 and a minimum of three COMP courses at the 4000 level. Of the three required courses, at least one class must be a deisgnated "theory" class. Students must also choose and complete two courses from a list of COMP courses that include an advanced programming component. This list is available from the department upon request. In addition, students must register for three quarters of COMP4600 (Seminar Series).  The student must obtain a passing grade in this.

Master's degree candidates may select either a thesis or nonthesis track. Only candidates on the thesis track are eligible for teaching or research assistantships. Thesis track candidates may earn a maximum of 12 quarter hours for thesis credit. Nonthesis track students may earn a maximum of 12 quarter hours in independent study or independent research, and a maximum of 8 quarter hours may be earned in approved courses outside the COMP designation, including transfer credit.

Master of Science in Computer Science Systems Engineering

Every candidate for the MS in computer science systems Engineering degree must complete 45 quarter hours of credit, at least 36 of which must be completed at the University of Denver. To satisfy graduation requirements, candidates must maintain a course GPA of 3.0. In addition, a grade of C or better must be obtained in each course for that course to count toward the 45 quarter hour requirement. Six courses at the 4000 level are required. The degree is designed for the working professional. The basic structure is as follows:

Required Courses 11 QH
COMP 3361 Operating Systems
COMP 3381 Software Engineering
COMP 3705 Advanced Software Engineering

Application Area Core (approval required) 16 QH

The Pre-approved Application Core
ENMT 4100 Systems Engineering
ENMT 4810 Engineering Project Management
ENMT 4000/4010 Space Systems Design I/II

Theory (e.g., COMP 3702 Performance Modeling) 4 QH
Capstone (independent study) 2 QH
Computer Science Electives 12 QH
TOTAL 45 QH

The prerequisites for this degree are the same as those for the MS in computer science.

Dual or Joint Degree Programs:

Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering

The MS in computer science and engineering is a unique degree, combining curriculums from both computer science and engineering. The degree allows more of a hardware emphasis than exists in traditional computer science master's degrees and more of a software emphasis than existing engineering master's degrees. Detailed information regarding this program may be obtained from the department of engineering.

Juris Doctorate/Master of Science in Computer Science (JD/MS)

The JD/MS dual-degree combines curriculums from computer science and law. Detailed information about this program may be obtained from either the Sturm College of Law or the department of computer science.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

A minimum of 90 quarter hours beyond the BA or BS degree, completion of a written dissertation that makes a significant contribution to the research literature in computer sciences, completion of a tool requirement, and successful completion of three quarters of COMP4600 (Seminar Series) are required to obtain a PhD in computer science.

Course Selection:
Of the 90 quarter hours, at least 36 must be at the 4000 level. As many as 24 credits may be taken in other relevant disciplines, as approved by the department of computer science graduate committee. Courses should be chosen in consultation with, and are subject to the approval of, the student's adviser.

Examinations:
Every PhD student must pass a qualifying process. This consists of satisfying a breadth requirement and passing a written and oral qualifying examination.

To fulfill the breadth requirement, the student must take five graded courses (20 quarter credits) at the 3000 and 4000 level (not including independent study, internship or independent research). At most, two courses may be at the 3000 level. At the least, three courses must be at the 4000 level. The course work should cover at least three distinct areas. One area should include a sequence of 3000- and 4000-level courses. The GPA in these courses must be at least 3.7. No course with a grade below B may be used to fulfill this requirement. Graduate computer science courses taken at another university and transferred for credit at the University of Denver may be applied to the breadth requirement up to a maximum of two courses (eight quarter credits). After fulfilling the breadth requirement, the student may be admitted to the qualifying examination.

For the qualifying examination, the student selects an area of examination from a list of approved areas. The written part of the exam is a take-home exam, which is handed out on a Friday and is due the following Tuesday. The oral exam is held the following Friday. The take-home exam consists of a set of research questions, a set of related papers and instructions. The student should prepare a written report of at least 10 but no more than 20 pages with answers to the questions. Study guides or other relevant material to prepare for the exam can be obtained from the chair of the examination committee. The oral portion of the exam is based on a student presentation in which the student explains and defends his/her answers. During the oral exam, questions in other areas of computer science may also be asked.

Sufficiently prior to the exam date, the department chair will appoint an examination committee of three tenure-track faculty members. One of the committee members must be in the area in which the examination will be held. The student's adviser is allowed to be on the committee. The committee creates the take-home exam and grades it. After the oral exam, the committee makes a recommendation to the department of computer science faculty on whether the student passes or fails.

If the faculty agrees, the committee recommendation stands. If there is a disagreement, the faculty as a whole decides. A failed exam may be retaken once (in the same or another area). After the dissertation has been completed, the student must defend it in a final examination, as specified by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Tool Requirement:
It is strongly recommended that students satisfy their tool requirement by demonstrating proficiency in a modern typesetting system suitable for writing technical papers that include mathematical equations and graphics. The specific system used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the faculty adviser.

Other options include reading competency in two languages, selected from French, German and Russian, a series of courses in another discipline or significant laboratory experience involving computer science.