Welcome to the Computer Science Graduate Program
Graduate education is a challenging and rewarding investment. The Department of Computer Science’s top-quality graduate programs offer the opportunity to focus your expertise and creativity on specific areas of interest and then apply your skills to pioneering research challenges. From traditional masters and Ph.D. programs to our nationally ranked online masters degree, you can choose from an array of avenues for research exploration. Our award-winning research work and graduate students are supported by CSU and by organizations around the globe. We are excited to work with you and help you join the ranks of our graduates advancing research in industry, academia, and government.
Graduate Degree Programs
Master of Computer Science (M.C.S)
The Master of Computer Science (Plan C) is a professional program that
includes advanced coursework to acquire knowledge in diverse areas such
as but not limited to the study of algorithm design, artificial
intelligence/machine learning, bioinformatics, computer security,
cyber-physical systems, databases, distributed systems, graphics, human
computer interaction, networking, programming languages, and software
engineering. This degree prepares the student for a career in the
Computer Science industry and education. Can be completed online, in-person, or hybrid format.
Degree Requirements: Minimum 36 credits total
- 4 credits from Group 1
- 4 credits from Group 2
- 4 credits from Group 3
- 24 credits of additional CS graduate level coursework
- Up to 8 credits may be at the 400 level
M.S. Plan A – Thesis
The MS Plan-A requires 37 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, and the preparation and defense of a thesis. It is a traditional research masters in computer science, which includes course work, research and a thesis. Students will be expected to find an advisor and form a committee per the graduate school rules. This degree prepares the student for a career in the Computer Science industry and education, or for further research as a doctoral student. This degree can be completed online with advisor approval, in-person and hybrid.
Degree requirements: Minimum of 36 credit hours total
- 2 credits of CS 501
- 4 credits from Group 1
- 4 credits from Group 2
- 4 credits from Group 3
- 12 credits of regular CS graduate level coursework
- Up to 8 credits may be at the 400 level
- 4 credits of CS 793
- 6 credits of CS 699 or similar
Students are required to organize and present a thesis defense with their advisor and committee.
M.S. Plan B – Research Project
The Master of Science degree in Computer Science Plan B (Project) is a research-based option that includes advanced course work and a research project instead of a formal thesis. Advanced courses and research cover diverse areas such as the study of algorithm design, artificial intelligence/machine learning, bioinformatics, computer security, cyber-physical systems, databases, distributed systems, high performance computing, human computer interaction, networking, quantum computing and software engineering. This degree prepares the student for a career in the Computer Science industry and education, or for further research as a doctoral student. This degree can be completed online with advisor approval, in-person and hybrid.
Degree requirements: Minimum of 36 credit hours total
- 2 credits of CS 501
- 4 credits from Group 1
- 4 credits from Group 2
- 4 credits from Group 3
- 16 credits of regular CS graduate level coursework
- Up to 8 credits may be at the 400 level
- 6 credits of CS 695 or similar
Students are required to present their research in the form of a poster with their advisor and committee present.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)
The PhD program in Computer Science allows students to further their
knowledge of computer science through advanced coursework and to conduct
cutting-edge research in diverse areas such as algorithm design,
artificial intelligence/machine learning, bioinformatics, computer
security, cyber-physical systems, databases, distributed systems, high
performance computing, human computer interaction, networking, quantum
computing and software engineering. Students find their personal
research passion and learn to become researchers who can independently
and collaboratively initiate and lead cutting-edge research careers in
academia, government, or industry.
Degree requirements: Minimum of 72 credit hours total
- 2 credits of CS 501
- 4 credits from Group 1
- 4 credits from Group 2
- 4 credits from Group 3
- 12 credits of regular CS graduate level coursework
- Up to 8 credits may be at the 400 level
- 8 credits of CS 793
- 3 credits of outside CS 500 level coursework
- 35 credits of CS 799 or similar
PhD students are expected to make timely progress towards degree milestones. These include the departmental research exam, the preliminary (proposal) exam, and the dissertation defense.
Group 1 (AI and Theory), Minimum 4 credits
CS 510 Image Computation
CS 520 Analysis of Algorithms
CS 522 Foundations of Cyber-Physical Systems
CS 523 Foundations of Computation
CS 525 Bioinformatics Algorithms
CS 540 Artificial Intelligence
CS 542 Natural Language Processing
CS 545 Machine Learning
Group 2 (Systems), Minimum 4 credits
CS 530 Fault-Tolerant Computing
CS 535 Big Data
CS 553 Algorithmic Language Compilers
CS 555 Distributed Systems
CS 557 Advanced Networking
CS 560/ECE 560 Foundations of Fine-Grain Parallelism
CS 570 Advanced Computer Architecture
CS 575 Parallel Processing
Group 3 (Software Engineering & Information Assurance), Minimum 4 credits
CS 514 Software Product and Process Evaluation
CS 515 Software Maintenance & Evolution Not currently offered
CS 517 Software Specification and Design Not currently offered
CS 518 Distributed Software System Development Not currently offered
CS 533 Database Management Systems
CS 556 Computer Security
CS 559 Quantitative Security
CS 567 3D User Interfaces
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