Inroduction

There are two entry tracks for the MSCS program:

  1. Direct Track is for students who have recent experience in OO Design and Programming and the Java programming language.
  2. Preparatory Track is for applicants who need to refresh or improve their knowledge of basic Computer Science (including OO programming and data structures).

All students accepted to the MSCS program are required to have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or equivalent knowledge and experience from other academic and professional sources.

Applicants who fulfill all other entry requirements but are lacking current knowledge of programming and Object Oriented (OO) software methods may enter the Preparatory Track. This track is NOT a substitute for the full coverage of these topics which the students are expected to have completed during undergraduate courses.

Note: There will be an entrance exam upon arrival on campus to verify entry qualifications for each track. (See sample exams below.)

The Direct Track

Direct Track Entry Requirements

Students may apply for acceptance to the Direct Track if they meet all academic entrance requirements including substantial recent experience (either professional or in academic coursework) in the areas of OO programming, data structures (equivalent to the CS203 and CS221 courses described in the UMLAC Catalog), and the Java programming language. Students with a recent bachelor’s (or master’s) degree in Computer Science, as well as experienced Java engineers, should qualify for the Direct Track.

Direct Track Qualification Exam

To confirm entrance qualifications for the Direct Track as submitted in admissions materials, all students take a qualification exam upon arrival. This exam tests the basic concepts and methods of OO programming, and uses the Java programming language. Students in the Direct Track must successfully pass this test in order to stay in the Direct Track; otherwise they will be reassigned to the Preparatory Track. A sample Direct Entry Track qualification exam is posted online to help prospective students assess their readiness for the Direct Track.

Direct Track Schedule

Course Duration
Science and Technology of Consciousness 4 weeks
Modern Programming Practices 2 weeks
1st Computer Science course 4 weeks
2nd Computer Science course 4 weeks
3rd Computer Science course 4 weeks
Forest Academy (rest and personal growth) 2 weeks
4th Computer Science course 4 weeks
5th Computer Science course 2 weeks
CPT Job Search Seminar 2 weeks
Work in practical training job while completing
4 Computer Science courses via distance education.*
up to 2 years

Direct Track students start Computer Science study with a two-week course, “Modern Programming Practices,” CS401 (MPP). This course covers the core practices in modern programming environments, particularly emphasizing concepts and design practices underlying object oriented programming, the dominant paradigm in modern programming. The course is a review of the principles of object oriented programming, and does not teach this topic completely, but rather provides a review for students with a good working knowledge of at least one modern programming language, and an introductory knowledge of the Java OO programming language.

On completion of the on-campus Direct Track Schedule, after taking the CPT Job Search Workshop, students begin looking for curricular practical training (CPT) jobs and start Distance Education classes. Students must complete 4 Distance Education courses in addition to the on-campus courses in order to fulfill their degree requirements.

Direct Track Academic Requirement

The MPP course is a prerequisite to all the other courses in the program. Students must pass this course with a grade of B or better in order to take any further courses in the MSCS program.

The Preparatory Track

Preparatory Track Entry Requirements

The Preparatory Track is intended to provide a supplemental review and introduction to modern programming practices using OO in the Java language. The Preparatory Track offers a short overview and review. Requirements for entering the Preparatory Track are the minimum requirements for entering the MSCS program. Although initial acceptance to the program is determined by a board review of each student application, in general, an applicant is considered to be qualified for the Preparatory Track if he or she has the following qualifications:

  • Undergraduate Degree in CS or equivalent
  • Ability to program in a contemporary procedural language (Pascal or C)

Preparatory Track Qualification Exam

To confirm these entrance qualifications as submitted in admissions materials, students in the Preparatory Track take a qualification exam upon arrival. This test includes basic areas of programming:

  • Basic knowledge of data structures.
  • A contemporary procedural programming language (C, Pascal, etc.). (The student is not expected to know Java.)

A sample Preparatory Track qualification exam is posted online to help prospective students assess their readiness for study in the program.

Students in the Preparatory Track must successfully pass the qualification exam in order to continue in the MSCS program. Students initially assigned to the Preparatory Track who do well in this test may apply to transfer into the Direct Track. Anyone not passing the Preparatory Track qualification exam will not continue in the program, but may reapply later when they have met the entrance requirements.

Preparatory Track Schedule

The Preparatory Track schedule is the same as the Direct Track except that it adds a 4-week course called Fundamental Programming Practices CS390 (FPP) before the MPP course.

Course Duration
Science of Creative Intelligence 4 weeks
Fundamental Programming Practices 4 weeks
Modern Programming Practices 2 weeks
1st Computer Science course 4 weeks
2nd Computer Science course 4 weeks
Forest Academy (rest and personal growth) 2 weeks
3rd Computer Science course 4 weeks
4th Computer Science course 2 weeks
5th Computer Science course 4 weeks
CPT Job Search Seminar 2 weeks
Work in practical training job while completing
4 Computer Science courses via distance education.*
up to 2 years

Fundamental Programming Practices provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of object oriented programming (in Java) and also a short course in fundamental data structures. Anyone who does not have recent experience working in the OO paradigm, and with the Java programming language, will find this course a valuable preparation for MPP. After passing this additional course, the student can then enter the equivalent of the Direct Track. Note that taking this additional preparatory course does not reduce or waive any of the requirements to enter MPP and continue in the program.

Fundamental Programming Practices does not count towards the MSCS degree requirements because it covers material that is prerequisite to entering an MSCS program. Because incoming master’s level students are expected to have already learned the material covered in this course, it is not considered part of the MSCS program. Students in the Preparatory track must complete all the courses required of the MPP Track students in addition to the Fundamental Programming Practices course.

Preparatory Track Academic Requirement

Students must pass Fundamental Programming Practices (with a grade of B or better) in order to be admitted into Modern Programming Practices, and then must meet all regular program academic requirements.

Upon completion of the on-campus Preparatory Track Schedule, after taking the CPT Job Search Workshop, international students begin looking for curricular practical training jobs and start Distance Education classes. Students in both tracks must complete 4 Distance Education courses to fulfill their degree requirements.

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