Master of Science in Computer Science
Computer Information Science Emphasis
Old Dominion University is one of only 101 Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive public institutions in the country. Both the College of Business and Public Administration and the College of Science are PhD granting. The Computer Information Science Program is jointly offered by the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences within the College of Business and the Department of Computer Science within the College of Science.
This joint program is appropriate for students with either a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in information technology and a minor in computer science or with a bachelor's degree in computer science with a business administration minor.
On completion of the master's curriculum, a student will have an in-depth background in both the development and management of business information systems and specialized knowledge in systems analysis and design, database administration, information and knowledge management, networking, IT project management, business intelligence, e-business/e-commerce, enterprise information systems, and effective use of information technology to increase productivity in business and industry.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the normal University graduate admission requirements, students entering the computer information sciences option should have a demonstrated background in programming languages, software engineering, data structures, discrete mathematics, and business management. The aptitude test of the GRE or GMAT is required.
An undergraduate degree in a CSAB-accredited computer science program and a minor in information systems is an ideal preparation for the program. An AACSB accredited information systems undergraduate degree with a minor in computer science is equally as good. Students with degree in either computer science or information systems should be able to enter the program with few deficits (typically no more than five courses) and are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
If ODU CIS Program is your preferred choice for graduate study, and you believe that you have superior qualifications, then we encourage you to apply. However, you should be aware that admissions are competitive. The link for application is http://admissions.odu.edu/home.php
Financial Support for Graduate Study
Financial aids such as assistantships are available on a competitive basis.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses. All students must take four core courses (see Proposed Course requirements and Infrastructure Needs). Two courses in the core must be taken from each department. The student also takes at least six electives from an approved list of computer science and information technology courses. Three of these courses must be taken from each department. A maximum of four 500 level courses, including the core, can be applied to the program. In addition, each student must pass a written and/or oral comprehensive examination.
Thesis Option. A minimum of 31 credit hours is required, including 24 credits of approved course work, six credits of thesis research, and one credit of colloquium. The candidate is required to write a thesis and make an oral presentation of the results.
Non-thesis Option. A minimum of 34 credit hours is required, including 30 credits of approved course work, three credits for a project work and one credit of colloquium. The candidate is required to submit a written report on the project and to present it orally.
Proposed Course Requirements and Infrastructure Needs
Prerequisites
For students with a BS in Business:
CS 150 Problem Solving and Programming I
CS 250 Problem Solving and Programming II
CS 350 Introduction to Software Engineering
CS 361 Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms
CS 381 Introduction to Discrete Structures
For students with a BS in Computer Science:
ACCT 601 Accounting for Managers
MGMT 602 Organizational Management
DSCI 641 Electronic Supply Chain Management
IT 664 Project Management in IT
Four Core Courses Required (two from each department)
CS 551 Software Engineering Survey or IT 620 Systems Analysis and Design
CS 554 Network Management or IT 635 Telecommunication and E-Commerce
CS 555 Introduction to Networks and Communications or IT 672 Information Architectures
Six Electives Recommended (three from each department)
CS 550 Database Concepts or IT 650 Database Management Systems
CS 575 Introduction to Computer Simulation or DSCI 576 Simulation and Modeling for Business Systems
CS 580 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence or IT 651 Data Warehousing and Mining
Note: "or" -- student must take one or the other, but not both.
Other IT Electives
IT 612 Knowledge Management
IT 624 Information Technology Assurance Services
IT 625 Information Systems for International Business
IT 652 On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
IT 660 Enterprise Information Systems
IT 674 Managing IT Strategically
Other CS Electives
CS 560 Computer Graphics
CS 744 Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems and Networks
CS 775 Distributed Systems
CS 779 Design of Network Protocols
Masters Project
CS 698 Master's Project in Computer Science or IT 698 Master's Project in Information Systems with a grading scale of either Pass or Fail. For details please visit http://www.cs.odu.edu/~gpd/ or http://www.cs.odu.edu/~home_g/grad_home/first.htm.
Colloquium
CS 690 Colloquium. For details please visit http://www.cs.odu.edu/~gpd/ or http://www.cs.odu.edu/~home_g/grad_home/first.htm.
Diagnostic Examination
The comprehensive diagnostic examination covers the core courses for the emphasis. For details please visit http://www.cs.odu.edu/~gpd/ or http://www.cs.odu.edu/~home_g/grad_home/first.htm.
Four questions must be answered: Two from Computer Science: CS 550, CS 551 and CS 555. Two from Information Technology courses applied to the program. For details please visit http://www.cs.odu.edu/~gpd/ or http://www.cs.odu.edu/~home_g/grad_home/first.htm.
Advising
For more information contact
Dr. Hussein Abdel-Wahab, Graduate Program Director
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-4512
Email: wahab@cs.odu.edu
http://www.cs.odu.edu/~gpd/
Dr. Li Xu, Graduate Program Director
Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-6138
Email: lxu@odu.edu
For Graduate Advisor List, please visit http://bpa.odu.edu/IT/academics/advisors.shtml.
