Computer Science, Master of Science (117)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/cs/
Program Coordinator
Guangming Xing, guangming.xing@wku.edu, (270) 745-8848
This program is designed to provide post-graduate education for individuals seeking professional careers in computer science. Areas of emphasis are information systems, systems programming, computer networking, and algorithms.
Concentration(s)
- Net-centric (CSNC)
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Program Admission
Admission requirements include a minimum 3.0/4.0 undergraduate grade point average. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, and other related fields. Minimum requirements include knowledge of programming in a high-level language and data structures. Prior course work or experiences in database applications, software engineering, and operating systems are preferred. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
The Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Program (JUMP) in Computer Science offers outstanding students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in an accelerated timeline.By allowing students to double count up to 9 graduate credit hours, the program provides a streamlined pathway to obtaining an M.S. in Computer Science.
In addition to meeting the criteria outlined in the Graduate Catalog, a applicants must fulfill the following program-specific requirements:
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Complete CS 331 and CS 339 with a grade of B or better in both courses, with at least one A between the two.
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Submit a statement of purpose outlining academic goals and motivation for pursuing the JUMP program.
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Provide one letter of recommendation from a WKU Computer Science faculty member.
Completion of a thesis is required for graduation from the program.
To apply, please email your statement of purpose and the name of the professor providing your recommendation letter to the program coordinator.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (33 hours)
A minimum of 30 semester hours of course work is required, plus the research tool. Both thesis and non- thesis options are available. A minimum of six 500-level computer science courses is required. If any of the required courses have been completed for undergraduate credit, approved electives will be substituted. The research tool, under both options, must be met by successful completion of CS 500.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CS 445G | Operating Systems II | 3 |
| CS 500 | Research Methods and Projects | 3 |
| CS 530 | Automata Theory and Compiler Construction | 3 |
| CS 543 | Advanced Database Systems | 3 |
| CS 549 | Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 560 | Software Engineering and Project Management | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Computer science courses approved by advisor or Net-Centric Concentration | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Net-Centric Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 450G | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 570 | Security in Computing | 3 |
| CS 535 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| Select 6 hours of CS electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Up to 6 credit hours.