Computer Science Graduate Programs
The
graduate programs in Computer Science educate highly qualified students
for successful careers in the vibrant field of computing. Our graduates
assume active roles in the research, development, production, and
management of computing environments. In light of the ACM/IEEE Computing
Curricula 2001 Guidelines, the Computer Science graduate programs equip
students with a solid understanding of the theoretical underpinning of
the computing discipline, and with significant practical experience with
computer technology.
To ensure that our graduates are properly
prepared for the demands of the workplace, the graduate programs involve
meaningful industry participation through faculty members who are
professionals working in computing research laboratories and high-tech
industries within Greater Nashua, or are actively engaged in
industry-sponsored research.
The graduate programs have state-of-the-art computing
support. By partnering with Dell Computer corporation and Microsoft, the
campus provides up-to-date technology in the Academic Computing Center
laboratories and electronic classrooms. Students have access to Windows,
Linux, and Unix operating systems. Lab and classroom computers provide
programming development environments for c++, java, Perl, Scheme Prolog.
Software systems are also available to enhance the academic experience
with the best professional practices in specialty areas such as computer
graphics, architecture simulation, software engineering, database
management, and intelligent systems.
Master of Science Degree Program
The purpose of the Master’s program is to provide
students with advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills and valid
professional practices. The program is structured to serve prospective
students with diverse academic backgrounds and professional experience,
and thus offers two tracks of course of study. The highly- or
cross-trained student track is designed for students with an
undergraduate degree in computer science or related areas, such as
Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences, and Engineering. The retraining
student track is designed for students with a non-technical
undergraduate degree and with limited mathematical background.
Master of Science In Computer Information Systems
The integration of business and computing fields is the key to the
effective management of information in today ’s organizations. As more
organizations process information to support decision-making, the need
for highly qualified professionals in computer information systems
increases. Business, government, and organizations in the nonprofit
sector have increasing demands for systems analysts, data
administrators, and information technology specialists.
The Department of Business Administration and the Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science offer jointly the Master of Science in
Computer Information Systems program. The program prepares
individuals in developing business expertise and skills, as well as
computing knowledge and practices. The program has state-of-the-art
technological support: a large local area network of PCs interconnected
via high-speed cabling. The campus general-purpose computing labs have
workstations that run Windows, Linux, and Sun Microsystems operating
systems.
Graduate Certificate Programs
The purpose of the graduate certificates is to
provide working professionals with specific high-level academic training
in the computing field. Business and industry recognize a graduate
certificate as an indication of proficiency in a designated area of
specialization. Courses in a graduate certificate program may be applied
to the Master’s degree in Computer Science.
Admission Requirements
General Criteria
Applicants for admission to the graduate programs
in Computer Science are required to follow the general guidelines for
the application process presented in the Admissions Process section in
this catalog. Prospective students must fulfill the following
requirements:
-
Submit official transcripts of
undergraduate degree and any other relevant academic credits.
International students must send transcripts
to a transcript evaluation service in the United
States approved by the Office of Graduate Admissions. The
service should be requested to evaluate
the student’s transcript and degree
awarded, and provide a course by course evaluation.
-
Provide three letters of recommendation
from individuals with whom the applicant has studied and/or under
whose immediate supervision the applicant has worked in a
professional capacity; and/or from others who are in a position to
offer pertinent appraisal of academic and interpersonal
skills, ability, and potential.
-
Provide a “Statement of Purpose†(see
application form for content).
-
Provide evidence of English proficiency
if a language other than English is the native
language. Please consult Admission Process
section of this catalog.
In addition, applicants are recommended to:
-
Submit GRE scores to the Mathematics and Computer
Science Department, and
-
Meet with the Director of the Computer Science
Program to plan a course of study.
Financial
Support
The School of Graduate Studies has a limited number of teaching
assistantships, available to qualified full-time graduate computer
science students. Other support may be available through departmental
research programs sponsored by federal and state agencies and by
high-tech industry.
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions of courses with CS designation