Program: Computer Science, M.S. - University of Houston Clear Lake

Apr 07, 2025

2020-2021 Graduate Catalog

The plan in Computer Science leads to the master of science (M.S.) degree. This plan is designed to prepare students to hold key technical positions in the development of computer-based solutions to complex systems problems.

Students should consult with their faculty adviser to determine if they have sufficient background to satisfy a specific course prerequisite. Foundation and prerequisite courses should be completed before enrolling in any graduate course.

Students expecting credit for foundation courses completed at international institutions must submit course descriptions to the waiver committee in their first semester of enrollment. This will allow proper evaluation and appropriate credit.

Students may select from the thesis option or the extended course work option. The thesis option requires 33 credit hours of graduate work. The extended course work option requires 36 credit hours.

Requirements

Computer Science Basic Preparation

Students seeking admission into the degree plan in Computer Science must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related area and extensive background in computer science. It is expected that the minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score required for acceptance into the plan be reasonably balanced among the different components of the GRE exam. The GRE score (verbal + quantitative) should be a minimum of 290 points, with a minimum quantitative score of 150. Students with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in related fields of study will be required to complete appropriate background courses. The admissions committee, during evaluation of the student’s application, will designate courses to be completed before beginning graduate studies. Preparatory requirements include proficiency in at least one object-oriented computer programming languages, such as JavaME# or C++ plus the completion of the following undergraduate courses, their equivalents or successful completion of equivalence exams upon approval from the admissions committee.

CSCI 2315 - Data Structures Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 2331 - Computer Organization & Assembly Language Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 4333 - Design of Database Systems Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 4354 - Operating Systems Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2414 - Calculus II Credit Hours:

Additional Information

Students should also have 3 hours of credit for an object oriented programming language. Students with credit for CENG 3351 will satisfy the CSCI 2331 requirement.

Additionally, at least two of the following must be completed:

CSCI 3321 - Numerical Methods Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2305 - Discrete Mathematics Credit Hours:
MATH 2318 - Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2320 - Differential Equations Credit Hours: 3
PHYS 2326 - University Physics II Credit Hours: 3
STAT 3334 - Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers Credit Hours: 3
SWEN 4342 - Software Engineering Credit Hours: 3

Core Requirements (15 Hours)

The following courses or their approved substitutions are required for both the thesis and the extended course work options:

CSCI 5134 - Concurrent Programming and Software Modeling Credit Hours:
CSCI 5333 - Database Management Systems Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 5531 - Advanced Operating Systems Credit Hours:
CSCI 5432 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms Credit Hours:
CSCI 6530 - Research Methods in Computer Science Credit Hours:

Thesis Option (18 hours)

Computer Science Thesis Option (18 hours)

Complete the following courses.

CSCI 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours:

Additional Information

A student must take an additional 12 hours of electives.
Students may take either 6 hours of 4000 level CSCI/CINF electives or may take 3 hours 4000 level CSCI/CINF and 3 hours 5000-6000 level SENG/CENG/SWEN.
Students take CSCI 6939 for 6 hours
Note: All electives must be approved before enrolling.

Extended Course Work Option (21 hours)

Computer Science Extended Course Work Option (21 hours)

Complete the following course:

CSCI 6838 - Research Project and Seminar Credit Hours:

Additional Information

A student must take an additional 18 hours pending faculty adviser approval.
Students may take either 6 hours of 4000 level CSCI/CINF electives or may take 3 hours 4000 level CSCI/CINF and 3 hours SENG/CENG/SWEN. .
Note: CSCI 6838 must be taken during the last 12 hours, after completion of CSCI 5531 and CSCI 5333 . All electives must be approved before enrolling.

Computer Science Specializations

Students interested in a specialization should take the courses listed below:

Note: Data Science Specialization requires STAT 4344 or any Calculus-based Probability course; and STAT 4345 or any Calculus-based Statistics course as prerequisite. (STAT 4345 may be allowed as 3 hrs of 4000 level elective in this specialization if not taken previously.

Data Science Specialization

STAT 5531 - Multivariate Statistical Analysis Credit Hours: 3
or
STAT 5532 - Linear Models and Regression Analysis Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Choose 3 (for thesis) or 4 (for extended course work) from the following:

CINF 5432 - Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 5532 - Pattern Recognition and Image Processing Credit Hours:
CSCI 5833 - Data Mining: Tools and Techniques Credit Hours:
CINF/CSCI 5000-6000 aprove4d course related to Data Science.

Cybersecurity Specialization

CSCI 5132 - Internet Protocols Credit Hours:
CSCI 5233 - Computer Security and Cryptography Credit Hours: 3
CSCI 5235 - Network Security Credit Hours:

Additional Information

Choose 1 (for thesis) or 2 (for extended course work) from the following:

CSCI 5234 - Web Security Credit Hours:
CSCI 5737 - Mobile Applications Development Credit Hours:
CSCI/CINF 5000-6000 approved course related to Cybersecurity.