Graduate Bulletin

Computer and Information Sciences, M.S.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 1                            [December 15 for international applicants]

Spring: August 1

Applications are reviewed as they are received up through the deadline.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from Computer Science faculty and professionals.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

A minimum of one year of programming and data structures using the C++ or Java programming language and one year of theoretical calculus.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A baccalaureate degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Mathematics, Science, or Engineering is required. The applicant's undergraduate program must include a considerable amount of coursework in Computer and Information Sciences.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your specific interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required. Scores on the GRE should be in the 65th percentile on the quantitative section and at least in the 25th percentile on the verbal section. Most students admitted score far above the minimums.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 575 paper-based, 230 computer-based, or 88 internet-based.  Any student admitted with a TOEFL score below 600 on the paper-based, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the internet-based examination must pass an English skills course during the first semester of enrollment at Temple University.  Those having taken the paper-based or computer-based test have the additional option of testing out of the English course by taking and passing the SPEAK test at Temple.

A score of 45 or greater on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) is required for international applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Transfer Credit:

Graduate-level Computer Science coursework obtained no more than five years prior to the student's matriculation in the graduate program may be transferred into the CIS program. The student must have earned an "A" in the course, and must submit a rationale for applying the credits to the current graduate program. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 27

Required Courses:
Core courses:

CIS 510:  Automata and Formal Languages

CIS 511:  Programming Techniques

CIS 512:  Operating Systems

CIS 615:  Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Also, a project course (CIS 751, 3 credits) plus four electives OR a thesis course (CIS 752, 6 credits) plus three electives are required. The electives are normally selected from the graduate CIS courses. Elective courses may also be selected from other departments upon approval of the CIS Graduate Committee.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Culminating Events:

This program has no culminating events.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.cis.temple.edu

Department Information:

Dept. of Computer and Information Sciences
Wachman Hall, 3rd Floor (038-24)
1805 N. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122
admissions@cis.temple.edu
215-204-8450

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Gracie Laychock
glaychoc@temple.edu
215-204-6907

Program Coordinator:

Jacalyn Harriz

harriz@temple.edu

215-204-1614

Graduate Chairperson:

James F. Korsh
korsh@temple.edu
215-204-8199

Chairperson:

Robert M. Aiken
aiken@temple.edu
215-204-8882

About the Program

The M.S. in Computer Science emphasizes a general approach to the study of computing, including courses in artificial intelligence, collaborative systems, computer architecture, database systems, graphics and image processing, networking and communications, operating systems, software engineering, and theoretical areas. The curriculum is not oriented toward any specific applications area of computing but emphasizes general graduate-level studies in computing, preparing students for careers in systems analysis, teaching, and research.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Computer and Information Sciences
Wachman Hall, 3rd Floor (038-24)
1805 N. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122
admissions@cis.temple.edu
215-204-8450

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Research interests of faculty include analysis of algorithms; artificial intelligence; automated VLSI systems; communication and networks; computer architecture; computer science education; data warehousing, filtering, and mining; expert systems; factory automation; flexible and intelligent manufacturing systems; graphics; intelligent CAI systems; management information and database systems; natural language processing; parallel and distributive processing and operating systems; programming languages; sensory and image processing; software engineering; and theory of automata and computation.

Job Placement:

Graduates often find employment as systems programmers for research organizations, computer centers, or computer manufacturers. Alternatively, many become involved in the design and implementation of new applications software or the planning and evaluation of computer-based systems. Prospective employers include the government or industrial firms that utilize computers for research and/or production purposes.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are permitted to take a maximum of two graduate-level CIS courses.

Financing Opportunities

Teaching Assistants teach two undergraduate laboratory sections each semester under the direction of the faculty lecturer. Assistantships provide a stipend and full-time tuition.

Updated 3.6.06