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Computer Science M.S.

Computer Science - M.S.

The Master of Science in Computer Science program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of computer science topics, including software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity. With a focus on research and real-world experience, you'll be well-prepared to tackle complex tech challenges and advance your career.

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Master’s Degree in Computer Science

Kent State University's Master of Science in Computer Science program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in computing, focusing on both theoretical foundations and practical applications. The program offers a rigorous curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, including algorithms, software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity. Graduates are prepared to tackle complex challenges in the technology field, engage in cutting-edge research, and advance their careers in academia, industry, or further specialized studies.

Program Information for Computer Science - M.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in Computer Science provides students with an educational and research environment to develop career paths through necessary training with emerging technologies. Graduates have the technical knowledge and skills necessary for success within the information and high technology industries.

The M.S. degree in Computer Science has two culminating options: thesis or non-thesis. Students planning to pursue a Ph.D. degree an/or academic research should select the thesis option. Students planning to pursue applied research and development in industry may select the non-thesis option. The thesis option requires original research and a written thesis. The non-thesis option requires a capstone project and an optional industrial internship.

The Computer Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

  • The Computational Data Science concentration prepares students to process big data. In a spectrum of real-world applications, the collected data (from such sources as mobile devices, GPS, sensor/RFID networks, Internet, social media, etc.) is so large and complex, the traditional data processing tools cannot efficiently and effectively handle it. This concentration focuses on algorithms development, machine learning, computation techniques, network and computing infrastructure and software.
  • The Computer Engineering concentration prepares students to meet the need of computer engineering professionals in the industry for designing and managing emerging smart devices and computer-integrated physical systems with programmable intelligence. Students learn the hardware-software co-design principles and theory, architecture of the associated software and hardware, devices and sensors communication protocols and the interfaces to effectively design, build and evolve such smart devices and computer-driven intelligent physical systems.
  • The Computer Security concentration exposes students to a wide range of topics on the security of computer systems. Students study the vulnerabilities in software and networks and develop algorithms and software to protect data, using digital encryption coding, protected databases and protected computer networking techniques.

Students opting to not pursue a concentration will create a 12-credit hour individualized plan of study with their advisor.

Admissions for Computer Science - M.S.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale 
  • Core components of an undergraduate computer science curriculum1
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GRE scores
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

Prospective students must successfully have completed high-level algebra, geometry and calculus coursework (equivalent to the following Kent State courses: MATH 12002, MATH 12003 and MATH 21001). In addition, it is strongly recommended that students successfully have completed coursework in computer science, including programming, data structures, abstraction, operating systems, combinatorial analysis and discrete structures (equivalent to the following Kent State courses: CS 13001, CS 23001, CS 23022, CS 33211, CS 35101 and CS 46101). Highly qualified students lacking preparation in certain standard areas may be admitted.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: June 15
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: November 1
  • Summer Term
    • Application deadline: April 1

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to advanced topics in computer science.
  2. Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work and critical evaluation and synthesis.
  3. Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of computer science.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CS 69191MASTER'S SEMINAR 2
Core Courses, choose one course each from four out of the five categories: 112
Computational Data Science Category
See courses under Computational Data Science concentration
Computer Engineering Category
See courses under Computer Engineering concentration
Computer Security Category
See courses under Computer Security concentration
Software and Application Category
CS 63005
ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEMS DESIGN
CS 63100
COMPUTATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATICS
CS 63901
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING METHODOLOGIES
CS 63902
SOFTWARE EVOLUTION
CS 64401
IMAGE PROCESSING
CS 64402
MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS AND BIOMETRICS
CS 67101
ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS
CS 67301
SCIENTIFIC VISUALIZATION
CS 67302
INFORMATION VISUALIZATION
Theory and Algorithms Category
CS 63301
PARALLEL AND DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING
CS 64201
ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
CS 66101
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ALGORITHMS
CS 66105
PARALLEL AND DISTRIBUTED ALGORITHMS
CS 66110
COMPUTATIONAL GEOMETRY
Culminating Requirement, choose from the following:6
CS 69099
CAPSTONE PROJECT (taken twice)
CS 69099
& CS 69192
CAPSTONE PROJECT
and GRADUATE INTERNSHIP 2
CS 69199
THESIS I 3
Additional Requirements or Concentrations
Choose from the following:12
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Computational Data Science Concentration
Computer Engineering Concentration
Computer Security Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:32

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Major Requirements
Computer Science (CS) Electives12
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Computational Data Science Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:12
CS 54001
COMPUTER SCIENCE III - PROGRAMMING PATTERNS
CS 54201
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
CS 54202
MACHINE LEARNING AND DEEP LEARNING
CS 63005
ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEMS DESIGN
CS 63015
DATA MINING TECHNIQUES
CS 63016
BIG DATA ANALYTICS
CS 63017
BIG DATA MANAGEMENT
CS 63018
PROBABILISTIC DATA MANAGEMENT
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Computer Engineering Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:12
CS 53301
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR ROBOTICS
CS 53302
ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS
CS 53303
INTERNET OF THINGS
CS 53305
ADVANCED DIGITAL DESIGN
CS 53334
HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION
CS 63201
ADVANCED OPERATING SYSTEMS
CS 63304
CLUSTER COMPUTING
CS 63305
MULTICORE COMPUTING
CS 63306
EMBEDDED COMPUTING
CS 65101
ADVANCED COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
CS 65202
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
CS 65203
WIRELESS AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Computer Security Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:12
CS 53202
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION
CS 53203
SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING
CS 55203
COMPUTER NETWORK SECURITY
CS 57205
INFORMATION SECURITY
CS 57206
DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY
CS 57207
DIGITAL FORENSICS
CS 57221
INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOLOGY
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12
1

Courses taken for the core cannot be counted again as an elective or concentration course. The list of courses offered each semester, including department-approved special topics, is available in the department's graduate office.

2

Students may complete a capstone-related elective course in place of an internship with approval from the graduate coordinator.

3

Students selecting the thesis option must form a master's thesis committee, which will include the advisor and at least two other graduate faculty members. The thesis topic and committee must be approved by the advisor and graduate coordinator. The final version of the thesis must be approved by the advisor, thesis committee and graduate coordinator.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
  • Maximum 12 credit hours of 50000-level courses may be applied toward the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Thesis Information

Master of Science Thesis Option

Candidates for the Master of Science with a thesis option must successfully complete 24 credit hours of graduate courses in CS, of which at least ten credit hours must be at the 60000 level, and only 12 credit hours can be at the 50000 level. In addition, two credit hours of the Master's Seminar (CS 69191) are required. Only three credit hours of Research (CS 69098) may be counted toward the degree. However, students are permitted to take this course multiple times. Culminating experience for the MS thesis pathway is original research, writing, and successfully defending a Master's thesis for which six credit hours are earned in Thesis I (CS 69199) and Thesis II (CS 69299).

Thesis Steps

SEE DEADLINES

Thesis and Dissertation Templates
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