Community Research Skills
Students participate in the local research culture and contribute according to common community standards.
Computer Science
MS
Application Deadlines
Fall:December 15
Winter:July 15
Contact Information:
Program Requirements:
Mission Statement. Students in the Master of Science program in the Computer Science Department are prepared to be technical problem solvers, are competent in the state of the art, and have mastered a particular aspect of Computer Science. All students are active in at least one of the Department's research labs and work closely with a faculty advisor in the completion of their M.S. thesis. Consequently, they are able to engage in further research where computers will have a significant impact. M.S. graduates are an asset to their employers as they demonstrate increased insight into solving problems, and are able to manage and complete significant projects. Graduates are prepared with a solid background in both theoretical foundations and practical training for the lifelong learning necessary in this fast-moving field.
Requirements for Degree.
Thesis Option:
- Credit hours (30): minimum 24 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (C S 699R).
- Required courses: determined in consultation with graduate committee.
- Up to four courses may come from outside the CS department
- Students must take at least one course from three of the breadth groups
- Only one CS 698R may be used
- No more than three 400-level CS courses
- Thesis: departmental acceptance of thesis proposal before beginning thesis research. Six credit hours of CS 699R; propose, present, and defend thesis to MS committee
- Examinations: oral defense of thesis.
- While in the MS program, students are expected to make steady and satisfactory progress toward their degree. Progress reviews take place twice each year. Students who fail to make appropriate progress will be dropped from the program.
Project Option:
- Credit hours (33): minimum 30 course work hours plus 3 project hours (697R)
- Up to four courses may come from outside the CS department
- Students must take at least one course from each of the breadth groups
- Only one CS 698R may be used
- No more than three 400-level CS courses
- Project - 3 credit hours of CS 697R; present project and write up (10 pages) to MS Committee
Admission Requirements:
Required Test
GRE
Applicants with Foreign Credentials:
Applicants with degrees that have been awarded outside of the US must complete a foreign credential evaluation with IERF and request to have the official evaluation report sent electronically to BYU Graduate Studies (before the applicable program application deadline) in order to be considered eligible for admission. Please be aware that the IERF process can take up to a month to complete.
Program Outcomes:
Professional Preparation
Students fulfill an approved study list that prepares them for their career.
Mastery of Topic
Students develop independent mastery of an advanced topic.
Effective Reading Skills
Students demonstrate an ability to read and understand the current literature.
Effective Writing and Communication
Students are able to write and communicate ideas well.
Program Stats
| Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year | |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 77 |
| International | 9 |
| Female | 10 |
| LDS | 75 |
| Non-White | 14 |
| BYU Undergraduate | 67 |
| Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student | |
|---|---|
| GRE Composite Score | 321.1 |
| GRE Quantitative Score | 161.0 |
| GRE Quantitative Percentile | 78.9 |
| GRE Verbal Score | 160.1 |
| GRE Verbal Percentile | 79.8 |
| GRE Analytical Score | 4.0 |
| GRE Analytical Percentile | 58.1 |
| Five Year Average of Graduated Students | |
|---|---|
| Average Years to Degree | 3.3 |
| Graduated Per Year | 15.8 |
| Five Year Average of Admitted Students | |
|---|---|
| Applied Per Year | 39.2 |
| Admitted Per Year | 29.4 |
| Percent Admitted | 75.00 |
| Average GPA | 3.62 |