College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Department of Computer Science
Department of Information Systems & Technology
273 Wissink Hall
507-389-2968
The Master of Science degree in Computer Science is jointly offered by the departments of Computer Science and Information Systems & Technology. Courses from both departments are used to satisfy the requirements of this degree program.
The program of study prepares the student for a career as a computer professional, yet offers enough flexibility to allow a student to design a course of study suitable for preparation for doctoral work in computer science. The program is designed to offer graduate level educational opportunities with an applied science perspective. It addresses the pre-service as well as occupational and career advancement needs of baccalaureate prepared computer scientists. The program objectives are:
These objectives are met by a curriculum with core studies in software and knowledge engineering, theory, and research methods. The core studies provide the foundation upon which students develop an academic program appropriate to their interests, culminating in a research experience.
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, successful applicants must meet the following requirements for admission:
Teaching, Lab Project and Research Assistantships requiring professional computer knowledge are available in the CIS department and from various other departments and administrative offices. Applications are posted on the school's Academic and Administrative Job Postings web page.
(Thesis Plan - 32 credits)
(Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)
Choose any 6 credits using additional core courses, any 500-level course from the Department of Computer Science or the Department of Information Systems & Technology (excluding IT 691) or any of the following elective courses. At most, one 500-level course may be used for elective credits. Up to 4 credits of 5/600 non-departmental elective courses may be selected in consultation with an advisor.
Prior to registering for CS/IT 694 or CS/IT 699, the student must satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement and must have successfully completed the core course credits. Students must be registered for a minimum of one credit of Thesis/APP for every semester that they are working on their paper.
The comprehensive examination will contain questions from the computer science core except for CS/IT 602. The comprehensive examination will be waived if the student obtains a 3.5 GPA in the core courses or achieves 60% or better on the GRE subject exam in computer science.
This program provides the basic concepts, skills, and values for pursuing a career in computer and information science, emphasizing design and implementation of sophisticated database systems and related software.
CS 510 (4) Abstract Machines & Grammars
This course studies the theoretical underpinnings of modern computer science, focusing on three main models of computation:DFA, PDA, and Turing machines. Students determine model capabilities and limitations are: what is and is not computable by each of them. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 515 (3) High Performance Computing
This course covers High Performance Computing (HPC) techniques used to address problems in Computational Science. Topics include the application areas and basic concepts of parallel computing, hardware design of modern HPC platforms and parallel programming models, methods of measuring and characterizing serial and parallel performance, and computational grid technologies. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 520 (4) Advanced Computer Organization
Advanced topics in computer architecture including a major emphasis on measuring and improving computer performance. Topics include advances in pipelining and analysis and optimization of storage systems and networks, multiprocessor challenges and trends. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 525 (3) Real-time and Embedded Systems
This course provides an overview of embedded and real-time systems and their development. Students will design and build a real-time operation system with a microprocessor to host real-time service data processing using sensor/actuator devices. The course covers design principles, methodologies, design tools and problem solving techniques. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 530 (4) Artificial Intelligence
This course offers an overview of the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Basic introductory concepts and a history of the field are covered. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge representation and reasoning strategies used for AI problem solving. Solutions are found using the LISP programming language. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 531 (3) Computational Linguistics
This course presents and overview of the field of computational linguistics. Topics include regular expressions, finite state automata, information theory, context free grammars, hidden Markov models and Viterbi algorithms. Students will work on problems with the field including parsing, machine translation, speech recognition, information extraction and parsing. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 533 (3) Data Mining and Machine Learning
This course offers a blended view of computer science, information science, and statistics for storing, accessing, modeling, and understanding large data sets. Topics include fundamental data mining algorithms: decision trees, classification, regression, association rules, statistical models, neural networks, and support vector machines. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 550 (4) Operations Research II
A second course in operations research for majors and non-majors. Topics include computer simulation, game theory, stochastic processes, queuing theory, Markov processes, and reliability. Simulation topics include Monte Carlo methods, discrete and continuous simulations, simulation languages and packages. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
CS 552 (3) Network Protocol Internals
This course provides advanced coverage of data communication and networking protocols. The course introduces the principles, protocols, and performance evaluation techniques of various advance networking technologies. Topics include error detection and recovery, flow control, routing, data throughput, and performance analysis of existing and emerging Internet protocols. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 554 (3) Mobile and Wireless Networks
This course covers emerging mobile and wireless data networks, The course reviews significant standard wireless protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, RFID, and WAP), and explores technologies for the development of mobile and wireless applications (e.g., J2ME, WML, Brew). Includes research, design, and implementation of a wireless, mobile application. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 560 (4) Operating Systems: Design & Implementation
This course studies the historical and current concepts and implementations of computer operating systems. Basic operating systems topics include processes, interprocess communication, interprocess synchronization, deadlock, memory allocation, segmentation, paging, resource allocation, scheduling, file systems, storage, devices, protection, security, and privacy. Pre: CS consent of instructor
CS 562 (4) Communication Protocols
Advanced coverage of data communication and networking protocols with an emphasis on protocol design and implementation. Topics addressed will include data transmission methods, error detection and recovery, flow control, routing, data throughput, and performance analysis of existing and emerging Internet protocols. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 563 (4) Client/Server and Web Applications
Introduction to distributed and client/server systems. Network operating systems to support C/S. Database servers. Client server and the Internet. Distributed objects. Web-based application development on PC and UNIX platforms. The principal functions of web servers and how they handle clients. CGI, ASP, JSP, JDBC, JavaBeans, Active-X, Servlets. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 565 (4) Parallel & Distributed Processing
This course offers an introduction to technical issues related to parallel and distributed systems. Topics addressed included parallel and distributed programming languages, parallel algorithm design and analysis, and parallel and distributed architectures. The course includes practical parallel programming experiences. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 570 (4) Compilers
This course offers an introduction to the specification and implementation of modern compilers. Topics covered include lexical scanning, parsing, type checking, code generation and translation, an introduction to optimization, and compile-time and run-time support for modern programming languages. Students will build a working compiler. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 580 (4) Advanced Program Practices
This course covers advanced object-oriented programming for general purpose software development. Topics include tools and processes appropriate for employing object-oriented designs and programming with a significant software development environment and advance data structures and algorithms, graphical user interfaces, and software development processes. Pre: consent of instructor
CS 591 (1-6) In-Service in Computer Science
This course is designed to meet the needs of kindergarten through twelfth grade practicing teaching majors who wish to enhance their technology-related skills and knowledge. Both lab and lecture activities are used to provide participants guided experiences with current applications of technology. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
CS 592 (3) Computers in the Classroom
Using both a lecture and lab format, this course provides students with a foundation for developing computer-delivered instruction within the classroom by examining the hardware and software which are part of emerging technologies, and the research issues associated with developing effective instruction using the computer.
CS 593 (3) Computer-Based Instructional Systems
This course provides participants with opportunities to develop, implement, and assess formative and summative evaluation instruments; identify researchable issues in computer-delivered instruction; develop computer-delivered instruction using a sophisticated authoring tool.
CS 595 (1) Seminar in Computer Science
Through reading, small group discussion, and presentations, explores the topics not normally covered in the curriculum. Prerequisite: consent
CS 596 (1-4) Selected Topics in Computer Science
Special topics not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic. Prerequisite: consent
CS 597 (1-12) Internship
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world business environment. Participants are placed and supervised in selected locations by the internship coordinator for a minimum period of one semester while working under the guidance and direction of a full-time staff member. Prerequisite: Completion of core and consent.
CS 599 (1-2) Individual Study
Problems on an individual basis. Prerequisite: consent
CS 600 (3) Research Methods
Research methodology in general and in computer science. Data and research sources. Analysis of existing research. Preliminary planning and proposals. Conceptualization, design, and interpretation of research. Good reporting. Prerequisite: an elementary statistics course
CS 601 (3) Research Topics
Special topics in computer science research not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.
CS 602 (1) Research Seminar
Students attend seminar presentations and present a research topic at one of the seminars. Prerequisite: consent
CS 610 (3) Algorithm Analysis
Brings together fundamental methods in order to provide access to the best method(s) for algorithm usage and analysis. Prerequisite: CS 510 or consent of instructor
CS 611 (3) Theory of Computation
Computation using Turing machines, logic, oracles, alternating Turing machines, and interactive proof systems. Various aspects of computational complexity including NP-completeness, Co-NP, parallel-complexity theory, their relationships, counting classes, and the polynomial time hierarchy are discussed. Prerequisite: CS 510 or consent of instructor
CS 620 (3) Advanced Computer Organization
This course will cover concepts and techniques used in modern processor architectures (such as pipelining, superscalar execution, branch system and application software (such as compilers, operating system, database management systems, and network communication). Prerequisite: CS 520
CS 630 (3) Advanced Artificial Intelligence Systems
This course is a continuation of Artificial Intelligence (CS 530). Emphasis is placed on advanced topics and the major areas of current research within the field. Theoretical and practical issues involved with developing large-scale systems are covered. Prerequisite: CS 530
CS 631 (3) Knowledge-Based Systems
The design of large-scale, knowledge-based systems. Emphasis on both theoretical and practical issues. Examination of alternative knowledge representation techniques and problem-solving methods used to design knowledge-based systems. Prerequisite: CS 530
CS 660 (3) Operating Systems Theory and Design
This course will focus on advanced uniprocessor and distributed operating systems. Topics covered will include operating system organization, including monolithic, microkernel, and exokernel; communications, including secure communications protocols, naming, and remote procedure call; file systems, including RAID and journaling; and memory management, including distributed shared memory. Prerequisite: CS 560
CS 662 (3) Data Communications and Networking
This course will focus on research, design, and analysis of computer networks and data communications systems. The course will also entail detailed examination of modern communication standards, protocol systems and their implementation. Additional topics may include transmission technology, packet switching, routing, flow control, and protocols. Prerequisite: CS 562 or 564
CS 677 (1-4) Individual Study
Problems on an individual basis. Prerequisite: consent
CS 680 (3) Software Engineering Project
Advanced software design, analysis, and development techniques under realistic time and budget constraints. Hands-on project management techniques. Emphasis of concepts through immersion in a team project of significant size. Prerequisite: CS 580
CS 690 (3) Statistical Inference Packages
Statistical package programs used in data collection, transformation, organization, summarization, interpretation and reporting. Statistical description and hypothesis testing with statistical inference. Interpreting outputs. Chi-square, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, nonparametrics, and other designs. Accessing and using large files (U.S. Census data, National Health Survey, etc.) Pre: a statistics course
CS 691 (1-6) In-Service in Computer Science
A course designed to upgrade the qualifications of persons on-the-job. Prerequisite: consent
CS 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper
Preparation of a master's degree alternate plan paper under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: consent
CS 699 (1-6) Thesis
Preparation of a master's degree thesis under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: consent
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ISYS 541 (4) Database Modeling for Appliations
Data modeling using techniques such as E/R, UML, ORM, and LDS. Requirements analysis, conceptual data modeling, and transformation of models, SQL. Higher normal forms, advanced SQL, object-relational mapping, and use of complex data models in business applications. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
ISYS 550 (4) Information Warfare
The course includes information warfare principles and technologies. The key areas are: Information warfare concepts; Protocols, Authentication, and Encryption; Network attack techniques, methodologies, and tools; Network defense; Malware: trojans, worms, viruses, and malicious code; Electronic crimes and digital evidence. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
ISYS 580 (4) Software Quality Assurance and Testing
This course focuses on the processes, methods and techniques for developing quality software, assessing software quality, and maintaining software quality. Software testing processes at the unit, module, subsystem, and system levels is discussed. Testing methods covered include: automatic and manual generation of test data, static vs. dynamic analysis, functional testing, inspections, and reliability assessment. Pre: consent of instructor
ISYS 582 (4) Human Computer Interaction
Human factors issues in the development of software, use of database systems, and design of user interfaces for interactive systems. Science base and software engineering with user interface development environments. Issues include: command languages, menus, forms, and direct manipulation, graphical user interfaces, computer supported cooperative work, information search and visualization, World Wide Web design, input/output devices, and display design. Pre: consent of instructor
ISYS 584 (4) Software Enginnering
This course introduces students to all important aspects of the discipline. The main purpose of the course is to simulate the engineering of a software product, from gathering requirements through implementation and maintenance. The course emphasizes traditional development methodology. Students will be introduced to Visual Basic and Microsoft Project, but the emphasis of the course will be on principles of software engineering, including project planning, requirements gathering, size and cost estimation, analysis, design, coding, testing, and implementation. Pre: consent of instructor
ISYS 597 (1-12) Internship
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world business environment. Participants are placed and supervised in selected locations by the internship coordinator for a minimum period of one semester while working under the guidance and direction of a full-time staff member. Prerequisite: Completion of core and consent.
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IT 512 (4) Graphics
Concepts and algorithms used in computer graphics, including polygonal and curved images in both 2 and 3 dimensions, representation of solid objects, and color and illumination models. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 514 (4) Advanced Object-Oriented Programming with Design Patterns
This course endeavors to provide the student with a solid understanding of the principles, techniques and tools involved in advanced object-oriented programming as it is practiced in enterprise industries. The successful student should have a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 530 (4) Intelligent Systems
This course offers an overview of the field of intelligent systems. Emphasis
is placed on rule-based expert systems, fuzzy rule-based systems, artificial
neural networks and evolutionary computaiton. Uncertainty management in rule-based
systems is covered in detail. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 532 (4) Robotics
Current practice and future directions in robotics including robot anatomy, kinematics, sensors, sensor interfacing and fusion, mobile robotics, realtime programming, vision and image processing algorithms, subsumption architecture. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 540 (4) Database Management Systems II
Extensive coverage of query processing and optimization; concurrency control and recovery, and security and integrity in centralized/distributed environments. Team-oriented projects in a heterogeneous client server environment. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 542 (4) Database Security, Auditing, and Disaster Recovery
This course provides science and study of methods of protecting data, and designing disaster recovery strategy. Secure database design, data integrity, secure architectures, secure transaction processing, information flow controls, inference controls, and auditing. Security models for relational and object-oriented databases. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 544 (4) Data Mining and Warehousing
The course offers a detailed overview of data mining and warehousing. Emphasis
is placed on data mining strategies, techniques and evaluation methods. The
star schema and other warehousing methods are covered. Students learn to experiement
with several data mining and warehousing tools. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 550 (4) Information Warfare
The course includes information warfare principles and technologies. The key areas are: Information warfare concepts; Protocols, Authentication, and Encryption; Network attack techniques, methodologies, and tools; Network defense; Malware: trojans, worms, viruses, and malicious code; Electronic crimes and digital evidence. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 560 (4) Network and Security Protocols
Advanced coverage of data communication, networking and security protocols.
Topics include: data transmission methods, error detection and recovery, flow
control, routing, data throughput, security issues, and performance analysis
of existing and emerging protocols for secure communication between the many
points within a computer network and across the Internet. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 562 (4) Network Administration and Programming
Network and server systems administration include: domain administration; file
system management; networked printers; user management; and workstation configuration.
Network programming experience will be gained through programming assignments/projects
in Layered Software Systems, HTTP Server, UDP (TFTP or DNS), CGI program, IPV6,
RPC/SCTP. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 564 (4) Applications of Wireless and Mobile Networks
This course provides an understanding of existing and emerging mobile and wireless data networks, with an emphasis on digital data communications. Students will gain an understanding of the unique considerations that must be given to network protocols for wireless and mobile communication as well as their applications. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 580 (4) Software Quality Assurance and Testing
Topics include software quality assurance, software quality metrics, software configuration management, software verification and validation, reviews, inspections, and audits, configuration control boards and software process improvement models, black-box and white-box testing models. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 582 (4) Human Computer Interaction
Concepts and techniques for user interface design and human computer interaction. Emphasizes user-centered design, interface development techniques, and usability evaluation. Various interface devices and metaphors will be considered. Visual development environments and other development tools will be studied. Students will complete a substantial project. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 583 (4) Web Applications and User Interface Design
HTTP Protocol; Presentation abstractions; Web-markup languages; Client-side
programming; Server-side programming; Web services; Web servers; Emerging technologies;
Security; Standards & Standard Bodies; Techniques for web interface design;
User-centered design; Visual development environments and development tools;
Measure the effectiveness of interface design. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 584 (4) Software Engineering
This is a course in software engineering that introduces the student to all important aspects of the discipline. The main purpose of this course is to stimulate the engineering of a software product, from gathering requirements through implementation and maintenance. The course emphasizes a traditional development methodology. Students will be introduced to Visual Basic and Microsoft Project, but the emphasis of the course will be on principles of software engineering including project planning, requirements gathering, size and cost estimation, analysis, design, coding, testing, and implementation. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 588 (4) Rapid Application Development
In-depth understanding of low and high CASE tools and rapid application development. CASE tools will range from the traditional software development life cycle to object-oriented client/server environments. Extensive team-oriented applications will be developed using tools such as SYNON, OBSYDIAN, Power Builder, and MSSQL server. Pre: consent of instructor
IT 597 (1-12) Internship
Provides students with opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world
business environment working under the guidance and direction of a faculty member.
(A maximum of 4 credits apply toward a degree in this department) Pre: consent
Fall, Spring, Summer
IT 600 (3) Research Methods
Research methodology in general and in computer science. Data and research sources. Analysis of existing research. Preliminary planning and proposals. Conceptualization, design, and interpretation of research. Good reporting. Prerequisite: an elementary statistics course
IT 601 (3) Research Topics
Special topics in computer science research not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.
IT 602 (1) Research Seminar
Students attend seminar presentations and present a research topic at one of the seminars. Prerequisite: consent
IT 630 (3) Advanced Artificial Intelligence Systems
This course is a continuation of Artificial Intelligence (CS 530). Emphasis is placed on advanced topics and the major areas of current research within the field. Theoretical and practical issues involved with developing large-scale systems are covered. Prerequisite: CS 530
IT 631 (3) Knowledge-Based Systems
The design of large-scale, knowledge-based systems. Emphasis on both theoretical and practical issues. Examination of alternative knowledge representation techniques and problem-solving methods used to design knowledge-based systems. Prerequisite: CS 530
IT 640 (3) Advanced Database Systems
In-depth study of advanced topics such as object-oriented databases, intelligent database systems, parallel databases, database mining and warehousing, distributed database design and query processing, multi-database integration and interoperability, and multilevel secure systems. Prerequisite: CS 540
IT 641 (3) Distributed Database Processing
Introduction to distributed database systems, resource allocation, homogenous vs. heterogeneous databases, schema integration, distributed concurrency control and recovery, and other topics dealing with distributed database processing. Prerequisite: CS 540
IT 662 (3) Data Communications and Networking
This course will focus on research, design, and analysis of computer networks and data communications systems. The course will also entail detailed examination of modern communication standards, protocol systems and their implementation. Additional topics may include transmission technology, packet switching, routing, flow control, and protocols. Prerequisite: IT 562 or 564
IT 677 (1-4) Individual Study
Problems on an individual basis. Prerequisite: consent
IT 680 (3) Software Engineering Project
Advanced software design, analysis, and development techniques under realistic time and budget constraints. Hands-on project management techniques. Emphasis of concepts through immersion in a team project of significant size. Prerequisite: CS 580
IT 690 (3) Statistical Inference Packages
Statistical package programs used in data collection, transformation, organization, summarization, interpretation and reporting. Statistical description and hypothesis testing with statistical inference. Interpreting outputs. Chi-square, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, nonparametrics, and other designs. Accessing and using large files (U.S. Census data, National Health Survey, etc.) Pre: a statistics course
IT 691 (1-6) In-Service in Computer Science
A course designed to upgrade the qualifications of persons on-the-job. Prerequisite: consent
IT 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper
Preparation of a master's degree alternate plan paper under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: consent
IT 699 (1-6) Thesis
Preparation of a master's degree thesis under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Prerequisite: consent
