Degree Requirements and Restrictions (Master of Science in Computer Science) A Data Science Concentration is available The Master of Science degree is conferred under Plan I or Plan II. Plan I. A minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework and the writing of an acceptable thesis is required. At least six hours of thesis credit (CS 699) must be earned. A student must present his/her thesis and pass an oral examination based on the thesis and related coursework. Plan I students must register for CS 699 each term they receive supervision from their advisor. Plan II. A minimum of 33 semester hours of coursework is required. The following requirements and restriction apply to a student in either plan. Course Requirements All M.S. students must take three core courses from the options below: CS 617 Design and Analysis of Algorithms One of either: CS 613 Computer Architecture CS 690 Advanced Operating Systems One of either: CS 650 The Software Engineering Process CS 687 Database Systems If a student has not had an undergraduate course in programming languages, CS 524 must be included in the program of study. No more than 50% of the hours in the program of study may be 500-level courses. No more than three semester hours of selected topics or independent study courses may be included in a program of study. Exceptions must be recommended by the student's advisor and approved by the department chair.