Computer Science, M.S.

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A master’s degree that prepares students for careers in industry or for a PhD level education in Computer Sciences. Topics include: Analysis of Algorithms, AI, ML, Cybersecurity, and HCI.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

Plan A (Thesis)

A total of at least 31 credit hours must be completed. The student must complete a minimum of 27 hours of courses, including the CORE and BREADTH REQUIREMENTS. At least 19 credit hours must be COSC courses. All COSC courses must be at the 5000 level. Courses from other departments, including no more than 6 hours of 4000-level courses, may be included with the approval of the supervising M.S. committee.

Plan A students are required to formally defend their theses before their supervising committees. All defenses must be open and announced at least two weeks in advance. The thesis must be distributed to the committee at least two weeks in advance of the defense. If the student does not pass the defense, the committee will instruct the student as to what needs to be accomplished (and by when) to pass.

Plan B (Non-Thesis)

The student must complete a minimum of 33 hours of courses, including the CORE and BREADTH REQUIREMENTS. At least 22 credit hours must be COSC courses. All COSC courses must be at the 5000 level. Courses from other departments, including no more than 6 hours of 4000-level courses, may be included with the approval of the supervising M.S. committee.

UW Coursework Requirements for M.S. Transfer Students:

M.S. transfer students must complete at least 21 credit hours at the University of Wyoming. At least 12 credits of the CORE & BREADTH REQUIREMENTS must be taken at the University of Wyoming. No more than one class per category of breadth may be counted towards this 12-credit total. The algorithms course credits may be counted toward this 12-credit total.

Computer Science Breadth Requirements

Students must earn a grade of B or better in one class from the Theory category, one class from the Artificial Intelligence category, and two classes from the Systems category. Thus there must be 12 credits taken to satisfy the breadth requirement. A list of courses in each category is available from the department. Although some courses may be listed under multiple categories, a course may only count once towards the breadth requirement.

Computer Science Core Requirements

COSC5110 - Analysis Of Algorithms must be completed with a grade of B or better. A grade of B- is not sufficient. Students are strongly encouraged to take COSC 5110 the first time it is offered after enrollment.

Summary of Credit Requirements

Plan A

COSC 5110 - Analysis Of Algorithms Credits: 3
Breadth: theory course, AI course, two systems courses Credits: 12
Additional courses Credits: 12
COSC 5960 - Thesis Research Credits: 1-12
OR
COSC 5980 - Dissertation Research Credits: 1-12

Total Credits: 31 Hours

Plan B

COSC 5110 - Analysis Of Algorithms Credits: 3
Breadth: theory course, AI course, two systems courses Credits: 12
Additional courses Credits: 18

Total Credits: 33 Hours

Computer Science Quickstart B.S./M.S.

Enables well-qualified students to be admitted to the M.S. program during

the junior year of their B.S. program, and to work thereafter towards both

the B.S. and M.S. degrees in COSC.

Degree Requirements

Up to 6 credit hours from UW, at the 5000-level or above, may be

counted toward both the B.S. and M.S. degree programs.