Master of Computer Science

Advisory Committee

MCS students will have a default advisory committee consisting solely of the graduate advisor as chair.

Degree Plan

Requirements for the MCS degree include:

• At least 18 credit hours of graded computer science and engineering (CSCE) graduate coursework (excluding CSCE 681, 684, 685 and 691). 
• Three breadth CSCE courses, one selected from each of these sets: Theory (627 and 629), Systems (605, 611, 613, 614 and 678) and Software (604, 606, 634, 655, 656, 670, 671, 672 and 713). These must be passed with a grade of B or better. These count toward the requirement of 18 hours of graded CSCE graduate coursework.
• At most one three-credit 400–level CSCE undergraduate course approved by the graduate advisor. This course does NOT count towards the 18 hours of CSCE-graded graduate coursework.
• Up to six credit hours of non-CSCE graded graduate coursework (excluding 681, 684, 685 and 691).
• One credit hour of CSCE 681 (Graduate Seminar).
• Up to three credit hours of CSCE 685 (Directed Studies).
• A total of at least 30 credit hours satisfying the above requirements.

Courses That Cannot Be Used on Any Degree Plan

• In CSCE, we do not allow 601, 602, 603, 701, 705, 706, 707, 708 and 709.
• In ECEN, we do not allow 714 and 749.
• In STAT, we do not allow 624 and 654.
• In MATH, we do not allow 679.
• In CYBR, we do not allow 601.
• In ISTM, we do not allow 601.
• Any course that contains material required of our undergraduate computer science (CPSC) or computer engineering majors.
• CSCE undergraduate courses 481, 482 and 483.  

Other Degree Plan Information

• If you took CSCE 420 while a Texas A&M undergraduate and received a B or better, you should not take CSCE 625.  Instead, take an additional prescribed elective class.
• If you took CSCE 421 while a Texas A&M undergraduate and received a B or better, you should not take CSCE 633.  Instead, take an additional prescribed elective class.
• For stacked courses: If you have credit for an undergraduate class, you cannot get credit for the graduate class, except via Fast Track.

When a graduate and undergraduate course is stacked, graduate students must take the graduate course in the stacked pair. If there are seats in the undergraduate section but not in the graduate section, you should contact the graduate advising office to request that a seat be reallocated. Reallocation can be requested but will have to be approved. Not all reallocations may be approved.

• The common stacked pairs are: 
  • 402/702 (always stacked)
  • 410/611 (sometimes stacked)
  • 411/629 (sometimes stacked)
  • 413/713 (always stacked)
  • 421/633 (always stacked)
  • 433/627 (always stacked)
  • 435/735 (always stacked) 
  • 440/640 (sometimes stacked)
  • 445/656 (always stacked)
  • 447/679 (sometimes stacked)
  • 448/748 (always stacked)
  • 451/652 (always stacked)
  • 452/752 (always stacked)
  • 463/612 (always stacked)
  • 465/765 (sometimes stacked)
  • 469/614 (sometimes stacked)
  • 477/703 (always stacked)

• Texas A&M undergraduates can receive credit for both courses in an undergrad/grad course pair under Fast Track.
• Prerequisites listed for CSE graduate coursework are given to inform you of the knowledge you are expected to have to be successful in the graduate course. While our department does not block registration based on prerequisites for graduate courses, you are still responsible for ensuring you are prepared to meet course prerequisites. If you have concerns regarding preparation for a particular class, you should contact the graduate course instructor for more information regarding expectations.

CSCE 684 Hours

• Any international student who wishes to go on curricular practical training must have one credit hour for each semester they are on the internship of CSCE 684 on their degree plan. Any CSCE 684 hours are in addition to the required total credit hours of the degree plan.
• If you are an international student, we recommend you place at least one credit hour of CSCE 684 on your degree plan when you submit it. This way, if you receive an internship offer, you will not be rushing to have 684 added to your degree plan.
• Domestic students do not need to register when they are on an internship. However, if they are gone for a year without registering, they must apply for a leave of absence. Otherwise, they will need to reapply for admission.

For additional information and clarification, please see the graduate catalog and our department’s graduate program webpage.