Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2020-2021 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, M.S.


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The graduate program in Computer Science is designed to provide theoretical knowledge as well as practical applications in the areas of software architecture, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and computer networks. In this program, working professionals are given an opportunity to continue their education on a part-time basis, while full-time students have the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Upon graduation from the program, students will be conferred the degree Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science.

Graduate Director: Gustavo Vejarano
Pereira Hall, Room 143
310.338.5761

Program Educational Objectives


The Computer Science graduate program educational objectives are:

  1. The development of in-depth expertise for a successful career and/or a successful undertaking of further graduate level studies in computer science and related fields
  2. The ability to meet the challenges of the future through continuing professional growth
  3. An exhibition of concern for social and environmental impact of computing-related decisions and applications

Student Outcomes


Upon successful completion of the Computer Science graduate program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate technical skill in advanced computer programming and applications
  2. Demonstrate deep technical computing skills in at least one specialty area within computer science
  3. Apply system design and integration skills to effectively integrate software intensive systems throughout their life cycle
  4. Conduct graduate level research with adequate research skills including information literacy and self-learning
  5. Utilize project management skills to effectively manage complex software development and integration activities
  6. Apply state-of-the-art technologies in computing

Admission Requirements


Students seeking admission should have completed an undergraduate program in computer science, mathematics, or a closely related field. To be considered for admission, students must submit an application, $50 application fee, a statement of intent, and transcripts. Letters of recommendation and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are optional. Additional coursework may be recommended or required as a condition of admission for applicants that have not completed an undergraduate program in computer science or mathematics.

The undergraduate preparation of all applicants, regardless of their previous degrees, should include the following subject areas:

  • Computer Programming (CMSI 185 )
  • Data Structures and Algorithms (CMSI 281 )
  • Computer Systems Organization (CMSI 284 )

and at least one of the following:

These courses need not be taken at Loyola Marymount University. However, the student should make certain that courses taken elsewhere satisfy the above requirements. Applicants who do not have adequate background in Computer Science might be required to take additional undergraduate courses.

Transfer Credit: Students may transfer six (6) semester hours for courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university. Credits to be transferred must be taken prior to admission. Each transferred course grade must be at least B (3.0), and the course must not have been used to satisfy degree requirements at another college or university.

Graduation Requirements


A degree candidate is required to complete, with a cumulative grade point average of at least B (3.0), a program of study comprising a minimum of thirty (30) or more semester hours of graduate-level coursework (i.e., 500-level or 600-level courses). Additional prerequisite (undergraduate) courses may be required as deemed appropriate by the advisor in consultation with the department. Of the graduate-level coursework, at least fifteen (15) semester hours are to be in 600-level courses. Students must achieve a grade of B (3.0) or better in all 500-level courses. Applicable courses generally include both CMSI and ELEC courses offered by this department, as well as appropriate courses from mathematics or other disciplines. At least twenty-four (24) semester hours must be in CMSI courses.

The program of study must include the following courses: (1) CMSI 583 Computability and Complexity , (2) CMSI 585 Programming Language Semantics , and (3) CMSI 694 Graduate Capstone Project  or two or more Master’s Thesis courses (CMSI 695 Master’s Thesis I , CMSI 696 Master’s Thesis II , CMSI 697 Master’s Thesis III ). One or more of the 500-level required courses may be waived if the student demonstrates satisfactory completion of a similar course. Waived courses will be replaced by electives at the 500 or 600 level.

Curriculum


During the first semester of attendance, the student should prepare a program of study with a faculty advisor. The 30 semester hours of required coursework is allocated as follows:

Master’s Thesis Option


Preparation of a Master’s Thesis is optional and can fulfill up to a maximum of 9 semester hours of elective course requirements. The student electing the thesis option must obtain a thesis advisor before Departmental consent will be considered, and the thesis must conform to the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering requirements. The thesis and associated work are intended to advance the state of knowledge in the thesis subject not rehash previous work by others or a serve as a “literature search.” To the extent possible, there should be some experimental work involved. The thesis ideally will form the basis for a paper or article, produced by a student, which would be submitted and published in a peer-reviewed journal or presented at a professional organization’s conference. A thesis is completed after being successfully defended to the thesis committee. With direction from the Program Director, a thesis committee will be formed. The thesis committee consists of the student’s thesis advisor, a full-time faculty member from the student’s department, and a third member from other than the student’s department.

Requirements for the Combined B.S./M.S. Degrees, major in Computer Science


This combined B.S./M.S. program is designed for LMU students to continue their studies in the Computer Science M.S. program immediately following their B.S. degree. The program allows students to complete the M.S. degree in one year.

Only LMU students in their senior year of Computer Science or Electrical Engineering with emphasis in Computer Engineering with a GPA of 3.0 or greater are eligible to apply. Students can enter this program any term immediately following completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. The candidate for the combined B.S./M.S. degree in Computer Science must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. One Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering 500-level course taken as an undergraduate may count toward the M.S. degree. This course can be double-counted for the B.S. degree and the M.S. degree.
  2. In addition, for an admitted student, an additional Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering 500-level course may be taken in their senior year that counts towards the M.S. degree and not the B.S. degree. This potentially reduces the total number of additional semester hours after earning the B.S. degree to 24.
  3. The student should take two 500- or 600-level courses during summer following the senior year.
  4. Complete CMSI 583 Computability and Complexity  and two CMSI 500- or 600-level courses during Fall following the senior year.
  5. Complete CMSI 585 Programming Language Semantics , CMSI 694 Graduate Capstone Project , and one CMSI 500- or 600-level course during Spring following the senior year.
  6. 500-level courses already completed for the B.S. degree cannot be retaken.
  7. The student may select the thesis option before the end of second semester of senior year with consent from the academic advisor and graduate program director.

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