University of Central Arkansas

Graduate Bulletin

Document Number 3.06.02

[1] Objectives

The Master of Science in Applied Computing is designed to provide intensive preparation in both concepts and techniques related to applications of computing systems. The program requires the student to take a wide range of courses to meet the breadth requirement, while simultaneously allowing for emphasis in desired application areas of specialization.  Upon completing this degree program, a student should have the ability and skills for immediate employment in positions related to applied computing and also be well prepared for advanced studies in doctorial degrees at leading institutions.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the Graduate School general requirements for admission to graduate study. In addition, a candidate should have an undergraduate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credit hours, and good background in mainstream computer science. This includes programming experience with high-level languages; background in computer architecture; data structures and algorithms; and related mathematics courses in calculus, linear algebra, discrete structure, and probability/statistics.

Candidates without an undergraduate degree in computer science, or a closely related field may obtain conditional admission. Students with conditional admission are required to take leveling courses determined by the Computer Science Graduate Committee. No leveling course can be applied toward the degree requirements.

An application should include a completed form of Application for Admission to Graduate Study, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, a resume, three names of references, and the General Test of Graduate Record Examination. The application package, with application fee, should be submitted directly to the Graduate School.

For international applicants whose primary language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

The Computer Science Graduate Committee maintains specific admission standards that are above the minimum requirements set by the Graduate School.

[3] Degree Requirements

This degree requires a minimum of 34 credit hours with a cumulative grade-point average at least 3.0. A maximum of six hours may be transferred, with approval of the Graduate Coordinator, from another university toward the degree. Transferred credits will not count towards UCA grade-point average.

The degree has both thesis and non-thesis options. For both, at least four courses from the areas of algorithms and theory, systems and hardware, and software engineering, are required to meet the breadth requirement.

To complete the master's degree, a student must complete a thesis or a project under the supervision of her/his thesis or project committee. A majority of the committee members must approve the thesis or project. The thesis option requires up to six credit hours of thesis credit, plus a thesis defense. A thesis usually consists of original work or a detailed survey of a research topic. The non-thesis option requires three credits of application project and an oral presentation of the project. A project usually consists of the production and documentation of code to perform a particular task. The student must also complete a written report describing the objectives of the work, the previous state of the art, and the results of the project. A public presentation will be required of every student in either option.

Graduate students are expected to participate in the professional activities of the department. This includes attending seminars and colloquia, and suggesting improvements in curriculum, and teaching. The requirements for the degree must be completed within six calendar years of the date of enrollment. Normally, graduate assistantship support for students is limited to two years.

[4] Advisement

When a student is admitted to the program, the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Computer Science will review the student's records, recommend an initial program of study, and serve as the initial advisor. Before the student completes 18 credit hours or the second semester of graduate work, a student should select a member of the graduate faculty to become principal advisor with the approval of the department chairperson. The advisor and the student will work together to establish a formal Petition for Candidacy Program of Study. Any change in the program of study should be agreed upon by both the student and the advisors, and must be approved by the Graduate Dean.

The principal advisor helps the student formulate a thesis or project committee. The committee consists of the principal advisor and at least two other graduate faculty members of this department; the committee may include up to two additional members from outside the department with the approval of the department chairperson. The task of the committee is to oversee the topic selected for the project, assess progress on a regular basis, and conduct the oral examination over the project. An approval by the majority of the thesis/project committee is necessary for a student to pass her/his thesis or project.

[5] Graduate Courses in Computer Science

Follow this link to CSCI course descriptions: course link.