Apr 01, 2025  
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
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2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, M.S.

On April 25, 2022, the CSU Chancellor’s Office issued a memo that GWAR will no longer apply to new and continuing graduate students (regardless of catalog year) at CSULB. Catalog copy has been updated on 07/21/2022 to account for this change.

Language regarding a GRE recommendation was removed on July 26, 2022. The GRE is no longer a part of the program’s admission process. 

Master of Science in Computer Science

Mission

The mission of the graduate program in Computer engineering and Computer Science at CSULB is to provide a high-quality educational experience and the technical specialization required to become successful leaders in industry. The program also prepares the students to pursue advanced degrees if they so desire. The graduate program involves advanced courses in analysis and design in computer software and hardware. The students may choose to do a thesis or take a comprehensive examination as the culmination of their program.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the MS program will:

  1. have technical competency in their field of study.
  2. have technical knowledge and skills needed to conduct independent and/or innovative research.
  3. keep current with state of the art technologies and advancements in their area.

Admission Procedures

To be considered for admission the graduate applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science or sufficient background in computer engineering or computer science from a college or university with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter upper division major units attempted. The student should apply online at www.calstate.edu/apply. Do not send an application to the Department. International students should apply online at Cal State Apply.

Requirements

All deficiencies must be removed before attempting graduate-level courses.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students applying for advancement to candidacy must:

  1. have completed all undergraduate deficiencies with grades of “C” or better;
  2. have attained an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;
  3. have completed at least 9 units of required courses applicable to the degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 for the completed units;
  4. and have their plans of studies approved by the CECS department graduate advisor.

Computer Science M.S.

Students should meet with the Adviser at the beginning of the first semester and make a tentative plan of study. The detailed list of required and allowed elective courses are available from the Web site of the Graduate Program Adviser.

Requirements

Students must elect either thesis or comprehensive exam as their culminating activity.

Comprehensive Exam Option:

Student must complete 30 graduate hours credit in computer science and pass the comprehensive exam.

15 units of required core courses
15 units from allowed electives

(No more than 9 units may be from the 400 level courses.)

Comprehensive examination covering the following required courses:

Thesis Option:

(Successful completion of a thesis provides a unifying culmination to the program, and an enhanced resume for future industrial or academic endeavors)

15 units of required courses
9 units from allowed electives

(No more than 9 units may be from the 400 level courses.);

6 units of research and thesis with written report and oral presentation approved by the thesis committee.

At least 3 units must be taken from the following course

Remaining 3 units

Remaining 3 units may be taken from either of the following courses