The Tickle College of Engineering offers a Master of Science in Computer Science to qualified applicants. Candidates for the MS program are expected to possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or related field.
In consultation with their advisor, students may select one of the following concentrations. Concentrations reflect research focus area.
Concentrations (Optional) and Options Available
Applied Cybersecurity — (DE only), Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Computational Imaging — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Computer-Human Interaction — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Cybersecurity — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Cyberinfrastructure — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Data Analytics — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Data Mining — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Data Mining and Intelligent Systems — (DE only), Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Data Visualization — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Discrete Optimization — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
High Performance Computing — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Life Science Applications — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Software Engineering — (DE only), Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Software Systems — Thesis, Project, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams
Campus Code
Knoxville Campus — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option
Distance Education — (3 DE options shown above) Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option
Admissions Standards/Procedure
- Applicants for admission to the MS program for computer science are expected to have completed a bachelor’s degree with an average GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00, both overall and in the senior year.
- Two semesters of calculus plus two additional semesters of college mathematics (e.g. linear algebra, differential equations, probability) and a course in formal languages, as well as in systems programming, are required for admission.
- A TOEFL score of 550 on the written exam or 80 on the Internet-based Test is required for non-native speakers of English, including those who have earned degrees at U.S. institutions.
- The score must be no more than two years old from the requested date of entry.
- Applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution within the past two years are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
- Applicants who hold the bachelor’s degree in fields other than computer science will be required to take selected undergraduate courses as determined by the applicant’s prior education and experience.
- The student will be admitted under non-degree status until the required undergraduate courses are successfully completed with a 3.00 GPA average.
- An international student may not enroll as a non-degree student.
Credit Hours Required
30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Option Specific Courses:
- Thesis Option: COSC 500 (6 credit hours)
- Project Option: COSC 501 (3 credit hours), a minimum grade of B.
- 24 (thesis option) or 27 (project option) or 30 (coursework only without comprehensive exam) credit hours of graduate course work.
- Complete COSC 530 , either COSC 540 , COSC 561 , or COSC 562 , and either COSC 580 or COSC 581
- At least two-thirds of the total credit hours must be at the 500-level or above.
- A maximum of 6 credit hours of courses outside the department chosen in consultation with major advisor may be applied toward the degree.
Non-Course Requirements
- Thesis Option: A final oral exam covering the thesis research.
- Project Option: A written final report and/or oral presentation, as determined by the advisor and approved by the committee.
Applied Cybersecurity – Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option
The Applied Cybersecurity concentration focuses on the theory and practice of cybersecurity, with an emphasis on its application in modern technological business, government, and society.
Campus Code: Distance Education
Credit Hours Required: 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
Applied Cybersecurity students take a total of 30 graduate credit hours as shown below. All courses are 3 credit hours each.
- Core courses - Students must take both core courses.
- Focus area courses – Students must take four of the focus area courses.
- Elective courses - Students must take four of the elective courses (or from the focus area courses above).
Students can take coursework in a manner that best fits their schedule. The Applied Cybersecurity concentration does not strictly use a cohort system, so students can complete the concentration as their schedule and finances allow. This flexibility would allow students to complete the concentration in as little as 18 months or more slowly based upon individual situations.
Data Mining and Intelligent Systems – Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option
The Data Mining and Intelligent Systems concentration focuses on the theory, practice, and application of data mining and intelligent systems.
Campus Code: Distance Education
Credit Hours Required: 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
Data Mining and Intelligent Systems students take a total of 30 graduate credit hours as shown below. All courses are 3 credit hours each.
- Core courses - students must take both core courses.
- Focus area courses – Students must take four of the focus area courses.
- Elective courses - Students must take four of the elective courses (or from the focus area courses above).
Students can take coursework in a manner that best fits their schedule. The Data Mining and Intelligent Systems concentration does not strictly use a cohort system, so students can complete the concentration as their schedule and finances allow. This flexibility would allow students to complete the concentration in as little as 18 months or more slowly based upon individual situations.
Software Engineering – Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option
The Software Engineering concentration focuses on the theory and practice of software engineering, including the design and implementation of modern software systems.
Campus Code: Distance Education
Credit Hours Required: 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
Software Engineering students take a total of 30 graduate credit hours as shown below. All courses are 3 credit hours each.
- Core courses - Students must take both core courses.
- Focus area courses – Students must take four of the focus area courses.
- Elective courses - Students must take four of the elective courses (or from the focus area courses above).
Students can take coursework in a manner that best fits their schedule. The Software Engineering concentration does not strictly use a cohort system, so students can complete the concentration as their schedule and finances allow. This flexibility would allow students to complete the concentration in as little as 18 months or more slowly based upon individual situations.
Five-Year BS-MS Program Computer Science Major, MS
The department offers a 5 year BS-MS program for qualified students. The primary component of the program is that qualified students may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate courses for their senior undergraduate electives and have them count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UT. This program is designed for students attending UT for their Master of Science degree because other universities may not accept these courses for graduate credit since they were used to satisfy requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Significant components of the program are:
- Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.40 to be admitted to the program. Conditional admission may be granted after completing 64 credit hours of required coursework while full admission is granted after completing 96 credit hours of required coursework with a minimum overall GPA of 3.40 in required coursework.
- Students must at least have conditional admission before taking graduate courses for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the departmental chair of the program. Students admitted to the program must request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit.
- Students admitted to the program must also follow the normal procedure for admission to the Graduate School.
- Admission of students into this program must be approved by the department and the Graduate School.
- Students will not be eligible for graduate assistantships until they are enrolled as graduate-level students in the Graduate School.
