Overview

The 5-year Bachelor of Science + Master of Science program in Computer Science provides research training for students who wish to work in a computing research lab, or possibly continue to PhD studies.

Students enter the "MS-phase" of the program when they have met the following requirements:

  • They have achieved senior status, i.e., earned 89 credit hours towards their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
  • Within the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, they have completed the prerequisites for entry into the regular Master of Science program, i.e.:
    Pre-Requisites for entry to Regular MS in Computer Science Program
    CSC 120Computer Programming I4
    CSC 220Computer Programming II4
    CSC 317Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis3
    MTH 161Calculus I4
    MTH 210Introduction to Linear Algebra3
    MTH 224Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
    MTH 309Discrete Mathematics I3
  • They have completed 3 credit hours of CSC 410 and/or CSC 411 in a research-oriented project.
  • They have an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
  • They have a GPA of at least 3.3 in the CSC courses taken towards their BS in Computer Science.
  • They have advised the Director of Graduate Studies of their eligibility for the MS-phase.

Students in the MS-phase must complete 3 further credit hours of CSC 410 and/or CSC 411 in a research-oriented project, as part of their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (this project will normally be the starting point for the Master of Science research). Students in the MS-phase may take up to 12 credits of courses, including 600 level courses, that count towards completing the requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science. When students have completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science they will be awarded that degree, and when they have completed the requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science they will be awarded that degree. 

Incoming students can be admitted to the program if their mathematics placement is MTH 108 or higher. Existing Bachelor of Science in Computer Science students can switch into the program when they have met the requirements for entering the MS-phase of the program. Students can be removed from the program if they have not met the prerequisites for admission to the MS-phase by the time they have achieved senior status. If a student is removed or decides to withdraw from the program, any 600 level courses taken may be used to fulfill the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Curriculum Requirements

Students must complete the Graduate School requirements, and the Departmental requirements described here.

B.S. Requirements120
Refer to the link below for more information on the BS requirements.
https://bulletin.miami.edu/undergraduate-academic-programs/arts-sciences/computer-science/computer-science-bs-students-arts-sciences/#curriculumtext
M.S. Curriculum Requirements
Select either the Thesis Option or the Coursework Option30-36
Refer to the link below for more information on the MS requirements.
https://bulletin.miami.edu/graduate-academic-programs/arts-sciences/computer-science/computer-science-ms/#curriculumtext
Total Credit Hours150-156

Suggested Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
CSC 120 Computer Programming I 1 4
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
Language Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
CSC 220 Computer Programming II 4
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
Language Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall
CSC 314 Computer Organization and Architecture 3
CSC 322 System Programming 3
MTH 309 Discrete Mathematics I 3
BIL or CHM or PHY Course I 4
BIL or CHM or PHY Associated Lab I 1
Language Course 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
CSC 317 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis 3
CSC 427 Theory of Computing 3
MTH 210 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
BIL or CHM or PHY Course II 4
BIL or CHM or PHY Associated Lab Course II 1
PHI 115 Social and Ethical Issues in Computing 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall
CSC 421 Principles of Computer Operating Systems 3
CSC 423 Database Systems 3
MTH 224 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
Writing Intensive Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CSC 410 Computer Science Project Planning 3
CSC 424 Computer Networks 3
WRS 233 Advanced Writing for STEM 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall
CSC 405 Computer Science Seminars 1
CSC 411 Computer Science Project Implementation 3
600 Level CSC Course 3
600 Level CSC Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CSC 419 Programming Languages 3
CSC 431 Introduction to Software Engineering 3
600 Level CSC Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Five
Fall
600 Level CSC Course 3
600 Level CSC Course 3
700 Level CSC Course 3
CSC 810 Master's Thesis 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
700 Level CSC Course 3
700 Level CSC Course 3
CSC 810 Master's Thesis 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours159
1

The prerequisites for CSC 120 are CSC 115 or MTH 141 or MTH 151 or MTH 161 or MTH 171 or MAS 110 or a score of 4 or 5 in AP Computer Science Principles (UM equivalency CSC 119).