The Master of Science in Applied Computer Science offers students with strong undergraduate background in a technical computing discipline an opportunity to increase their technical exper- tise and to complement that expertise with fundamental business concepts related specifically to information technology. By increasing students’ knowledge in high-demand areas, such as network security, web services, human-computer interaction, component-based software engineering and data warehousing, graduates of this program will be well-prepared to succeed in a very competi- tive job market. A two-term, six-credit hour Master’s Project will give students an opportunity to apply their knowledge. Graduates of this program will:
1. Have a high degree of competence in areas of high-demand and emerging technologies. 2. Have good project management skills and will understand fundamental business concepts, as
related specifically to information technology.
3. Have experience in design and implementation of a large project. 4. Know how to work in teams.
5. Have good written communication and presentation skills.
Full-time students with no deficiencies can expect to complete this program in two academic years. Students who attend during the summer session may be able to reduce the amount of time required to 16 months.
Departmental Admission Requirements
Candidates for the M.S. in Applied Computer Science should meet the following requirements: 1. Compliance with all of the eligibility requirements of the Graduate School.
2. Acceptance to graduate study by the Dean of the Graduate School.
3. Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants are expected to have a major or minor in a technical computing discipline, including coursework in:
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a. data structures b. computer networks
c. software engineering or systems analysis and design d. database systems
e. discrete mathematics f. statistics
With the exception of data structures, applicants who do not satisfy these requirements may take undergraduate level courses to remove any deficiencies. A student who has not completed a course in data structures cannot be admitted to the program.
4. Minimum verbal GRE score of 300 or better; quantitative score of 610 or better with a total GRE of 1000 or better; 3.0 or better on the analytical writing portion.
5. Two letters of recommendation on the student’s ability to do graduate work, submitted with the student’s application for admission to the Graduate School.
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be admitted provisionally.
The Department of Computer Science/Information Systems reserves the right of final decision in accepting students to graduate degree candidacy in the department. Criteria for admittance to the program and acceptance to degree candidacy may include academic qualifications and performance, letters of recommendation, number of applicants and available resources. Advisement
A member of the graduate faculty of the Department of Computer Science/Information Systems will serve as the major advisor. The signature of the major advisor will be required on the Approved Program Form. The advisor must approve any changes to the student’s Approved Program. Research Project
The student, in consultation with his or her major advisor, will select graduate faculty members to serve on his/her research project committee. The committee will consist of three faculty mem- bers, two of whom must be graduate faculty members of the Department of Computer Science/ Information Systems.
The degree candidate must submit a research project proposal to his/her research project com- mittee. The committee members must approve the proposal.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination will be scheduled, administered and evaluated by members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Computer Science/Information Systems. The degree candidate must pass all portions of the examination.
Degree Requirements–M.S. in Applied Computer Science
Thirty-three hours of graduate credit are required for completion of the M.S. in Applied Computer Science, with at least 16 hours at the 600-level.
Required Courses
CSIS 44-542 Object-Oriented Programming . . . .3 CSIS 44-555 Network Security . . . .3 CSIS 44-560 Advanced Topics in Database Systems . . . .3 CSIS 44-563 Web Services Technology . . . .3 CSIS 44-618 Project Management in Business and Technology . . . .3 CSIS 44-623 Information Technology Management. . . .3
CSIS 44-663 Component-Based Software Engineering . . . .3 CSIS 44-664 Human Computer Interaction. . . .3 CSIS 44-696 Directed Graduate Project . . . .6 Advisor approved electives . . . .3
Total . . . 33
M.S.Ed. Teaching: Instructional Technology
CIP: 131321This degree is designed for teachers and organizational trainers who are interested in using tech- nology to educate or train others.
The graduate of this program should:
1. Operate a multimedia computer system with related peripheral devices. 2. Install and use software packages.
3. Evaluate and write curricula and instructional designs that integrate technology.
4. Design instructional methods for the teaching and integration of technology skills and con- cepts.
5. Develop assessment strategies and tools used with instructional technology.
6. Evaluate and synthesize instructional technology issues affecting society and education. Program Admission Requirements *
1. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the undergraduate transcript. 2. If an applicant has a teaching certificate, then in lieu of the GRE, one would submit PRAXIS
scores prior to admission. One letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current admin- istrator or supervisor assessing potential for success in graduate school is also required. For applicants who were certified prior to the PRAXIS requirement, two letters of recommenda- tion (one from the current administrator or supervisor and one from a professional colleague) would be required.
3. If an applicant does not hold a teaching certificate, then the GRE is required with a minimum score of 700 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections due prior to admission, but no later than the end of the first trimester of enrollment.
4. Submit with the application a two-page, double-spaced writing assessment submitted with the application for admission. Topic of assessment is how the applicant will use the knowledge and skills learned in this master’s program in one’s career. Faculty teaching in the Instructional Technology program from the CS/IS Department will evaluate the assessment as part of the application process, and a score of 3.5 or higher must be met. The scoring guide used by the GRE Analytical Writing Measure will be used (http://www.ets.org/gre/general/scores/how/ issue/). If the applicant does not successfully complete the writing assessment, the applicant’s application will be admitted conditionally, with remediation assigned in the applicant’s first semester.
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Application Deadlines
Applications for admissions must be submitted to the Graduate Office on the Northwest campus by the following dates: Fall Trimester-July 15; Spring Trimester-November 15; Summer Trimester-March 15.
Admission Appeal
Students not meeting the departmental GPA admission standards as stated may appeal to the departmental admission committee. Appeals should be made in writing to the department chair- personand will be reviewed by the departmental admission committee.
Program Admissions Appeal Committee
The chairperson will appoint a committee of three department members, including the advisor in the major field (or director of the Computer Science/Information Systems program for Computer Science/Information Systems students) and faculty who have taught the student.
The student is to:
1. Submit a portfolio including: a. Transcripts of all credits,
b. A written request for alternative admission (minimum 250 words not to exceed three double-spaced, word-processed pages),
c. Two employer/supervisor recommendations. 2. Make an oral presentation to the committee including:
a. Personal and professional reasons for appeal, b. Factors or motivation for seeking a graduate degree, c. Projected plans for degree completion.
Program Course Entry Requirement
The student entering the M.S.Ed., Teaching: Instructional Technology must exhibit proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software and proficiently use a browser for the world wide web. Proficiency will be proven by completed coursework or submitted work. Degree Requirements–M.S.Ed. Teaching: Instructional Technology
Thirty-three hours of graduate credit are required for completion of the M.S.Ed., Teaching: In- structional Technology.
Computer Science Core Courses . . . 18
CSIS 44-582 Technology Curriculum and Integration . . . .3 CSIS 44-585 Instructional Technology and the Learning Process. . . .3 CSIS 44-614 Advanced Applications in Computer Education. . . .3 CSIS 44-626 Multimedia Systems. . . .3 CSIS 44-635 Instructional Systems Design. . . .3 CSIS 44-645 Computers and Networks. . . .3
Education Core Courses . . . 12
Ed 61-649 Issues in Education OR
Ed 61-695 Philosophy of Education . . . .3 Ed 61-650 Improvement of Teaching. . . .3 Ed 61-651 Seminar and Practicum in Teaching. . . .3 Ed 61-682 Improvement of Instruction through Action Research . . . .2
Ed 61-683 Action Research Paper . . . .1
Advisor-Approved Electives . . . 3 Total . . . 33
Advisement
A member of the graduate education faculty will serve as the major advisor. A graduate faculty member from the Computer Science/Information Systems Department will serve as area advisor, and both signatures will be required on the Approved Program Form. Any change in an Approved Program Form must be initiated by the student and be submitted to the Graduate Office accom- panied with written approval from both advisors.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination will be scheduled and administered by faculty members in the Department of Computer Science/Information Systems and the Educational Leadership Depart- ment of the College of Education and Human Services. Each department will be responsible for the construction and evaluation of its two-hour portion of the examination. The degree candidate must pass both portions of the examination.