Computer Science (M.S.)

Program Overview

Computer science is a field with critical workforce needs, especially in the areas of software development, data analysis, computer networks and cybersecurity. This program will prepare you with a strong, broad-based core of advanced computer science knowledge and is ideal for students with professional goals in computer science such as continuing graduate education, working for national laboratories and other federal or state agencies, securing employment in private industry or post-secondary education. You may choose to specialize in informatics to develop skills in high-performance computing and big data analysis or the fast-growing field of artificial intelligence. This program has an accelerated option for current USD students. This program has been accredited by the Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) since 2017. Learn more at usd.edu/csci.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Science, Computer Science Plan A (thesis)

Master of Science, Computer Science Plan B (non-thesis)

Elective Work: Plan A takes 6 credit hours, Plan B takes 12 credit hours from the following:

• CSC 501 - Rich Internet Applications 4 cr
• CSC 505 - Business Analytics Fundamentals 3 cr
• CSC 511 - Simulation 3 cr
• CSC 525 - High Performance Computing 3 cr
• CSC 535 - Human Factors in Computer Systems 3 cr
• CSC 545 - Introduction to Theory of Computation (C) 3 cr
• CSC 547 - Artificial Intelligence (C) 3 cr
• CSC 555 - Algorithms 4 cr
• CSC 556 - Operating Systems 3 cr
• CSC 561 - Programming Languages 3 cr
• CSC 570 - Software Engineering 3 cr
• CSC 571 - Numerical Analysis I 3 cr
• CSC 575 - Operations Research 3 cr
• CSC 581 - Systems Analysis 3 cr
• CSC 584 - Database Management Systems 3 cr
• CSC 586 - Data Mining 3 cr
• CSC 591 - Independent Study 1 to 4 cr
• CSC 592 - Topics (C) 1 to 3 cr
• CSC 594 - Internship (C) 1-3 cr
• CSC 5XX, 6XX, or 7XX-Graduate coursework in Computer Science with the department’s approval

Artificial Intelligence specialization required coursework: 15 credit hours

• Select 9 credit hours from the following core courses:

• CSC 721 - Distributed Systems 3 cr
• CSC 722 - Machine Learning Fundamentals 3 cr
• CSC 752 - Computer Vision (C) 3 cr
• CSC 761 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence (C) 3 cr
• CSC 785 - Information Storage and Retrieval 3 cr

•  

• Select 6 credit hours from the following elective courses:

• CSC 525 - High Performance Computing 3 cr
• CSC 557 - Data Analysis/Decision Making 3 cr
• CSC 586 - Data Mining 3 cr
• CSC 588 - Pattern Recognition & Machine Learning 3 cr
• STAT 580 - Applied Statistics 3 cr
• STAT 581 - Probability and Statistics 3 cr

Informatics specialization required coursework: 12 credit hours plus 3 credit hours specified in the core

 Plan A students must choose a thesis topic in the informatics area.

• Core courses:

• CSC 525 - High Performance Computing 3 cr OR
• CSC 6XX/7XX Elective course with High Performance Computing content

•  

• CSC 586 - Data Mining 3 cr OR
• CSC 6XX/7XX Elective course with Advanced Data Mining content 3 cr hrs

•  

• CSC 785 - Information Storage and Retrieval 3 cr * OR
• CSC 6XX/7XX Elective course with Advanced Information Storage and Retrieval content 3 cr hrs

•  

• Select one of the following 3 credit hours elective-Graduate coursework in Computer Science or in another discipline with the department’s approval:

• CSC 601 - Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 cr
• CSC 6XX/7XX Elective course with BioInformatics content 3 cr hrs
• CPHD 718 - Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 cr

•  

• Statistics course (3 credit hours):

• BIOL 520 - Introduction to Biostatistics and Computational Biology 3 cr
• BIOL 520L - Introduction to Biostatistics and Computational Biology 0 cr

• Or

  Other graduate-level statistics class approved by the Computer Science department is acceptable also.

•  

• * Course counts towards core coursework.

Accelerated Program Master of Science, Computer Science: BS/MS

Up to 9 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credits.  The following restrictions apply:

1. The courses must be taken at the 500/600 level as an undergraduate. Courses taken at the 500/600-level can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
2. The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
3. No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
4. Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the department chair for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree. No exceptions to this policy will be approved.
5. Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for dual credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
6. To fulfill the undergraduate required courses, graduate courses on the same topic areas must be taken.

Application Requirements

1. Completed application
2. $35 application fee
3. Official transcripts*
4. Letters of recommendation*
5. Admission test scores*
6. Statement of purpose
7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Department of Computer Science
605-677-5388 | cs@usd.edu | usd.edu/csci

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad