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.
Computer Science - M.S.
Contact Us
- Hassan Peyravi | gradinfo@cs.kent.edu | 330-672-9047
- Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
Program Information
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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.
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Admissions
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
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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.
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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.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to advanced topics in computer science.
- Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work and critical evaluation and synthesis.
- Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of computer science.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements CS 69191 MASTER'S SEMINAR 2 Core Courses, choose one course each from four out of the five categories: 1 12 Computational Data Science CategorySee courses under Computational Data Science concentrationComputer Engineering CategorySee courses under Computer Engineering concentrationComputer Security CategorySee courses under Computer Security concentrationSoftware and Application CategoryCS 63005ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEMS DESIGN CS 63100COMPUTATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATICS CS 63901SOFTWARE ENGINEERING METHODOLOGIES CS 63902SOFTWARE EVOLUTION CS 64401IMAGE PROCESSING CS 64402MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS AND BIOMETRICS CS 67101ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS CS 67301SCIENTIFIC VISUALIZATION CS 67302INFORMATION VISUALIZATION Theory and Algorithms CategoryCS 63301PARALLEL AND DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING CS 64201ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CS 66101ADVANCED TOPICS IN ALGORITHMS CS 66105PARALLEL AND DISTRIBUTED ALGORITHMS CS 66110COMPUTATIONAL GEOMETRY Culminating Requirement, choose from the following: 6 CS 69099CAPSTONE PROJECT (taken twice) CS 69099
& CS 69192CAPSTONE PROJECT
and GRADUATE INTERNSHIP 2CS 69199THESIS I 3 Additional Requirements or Concentrations Choose from the following: 12 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 32 Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements Computer Science (CS) Electives 12 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Computational Data Science Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 12 CS 54001COMPUTER SCIENCE III - PROGRAMMING PATTERNS CS 54201ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CS 54202MACHINE LEARNING AND DEEP LEARNING CS 63005ADVANCED DATABASE SYSTEMS DESIGN CS 63015DATA MINING TECHNIQUES CS 63016BIG DATA ANALYTICS CS 63017BIG DATA MANAGEMENT CS 63018PROBABILISTIC DATA MANAGEMENT Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Computer Engineering Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 12 CS 53301SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR ROBOTICS CS 53302ALGORITHMIC ROBOTICS CS 53303INTERNET OF THINGS CS 53305ADVANCED DIGITAL DESIGN CS 53334HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION CS 63201ADVANCED OPERATING SYSTEMS CS 63304CLUSTER COMPUTING CS 63305MULTICORE COMPUTING CS 63306EMBEDDED COMPUTING CS 65101ADVANCED COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE CS 65202ADVANCED COMMUNICATION NETWORKS CS 65203WIRELESS AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORKS Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12 Computer Security Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 12 CS 53202SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION CS 53203SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING CS 55203COMPUTER NETWORK SECURITY CS 57205INFORMATION SECURITY CS 57206DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY CS 57207DIGITAL FORENSICS CS 57221INTRODUCTION 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.
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Students may complete a capstone-related elective course in place of an internship with approval from the graduate coordinator.
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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
Graduation Requirements Summary 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.
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Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
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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
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Thesis and Dissertation Templates
- Latex Thesis Package provides an elegant layout that includes templates to make thesis writing easier.
- Thesis and Dissertation Abstract Template (.doc)
- Thesis and Dissertation Template(.doc)