UNH Graduate School - Computer Science

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Application Deadlines

Fall:
February 15th for financial assistance
July 1st
(April 1st recommended)

Spring:
December 1st

Summer:
Not open for admissions

Application Requirements

Test Scores: GRE

Special Instructions: GRE The GRE Subject Test is recommended, but not required.

New England Regional:
No

Computer Science

Kingsbury Hall
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862 - 3779
Email:
Web Address: http://www.cs.unh.edu

Degree Offered (MS, PHD):

The computer science department offers both the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A major emphasis of our graduate program is the blending of theoretical and applied aspects of computer science. Students pursuing a specialization in computer science theory are required to develop a strong background in systems and are encouraged, whenever possible, to identify applications for theory. Similarly, students specializing in applied areas of computer science are required to base their work on strong theoretical foundations.

Admission Requirements

The computer science graduate program is geared toward students with a B.S. degree in computer science. Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields are invited to apply, but if accepted into the program, they will be required to satisfy courses equivalent to those listed below. If a student is only missing a small number of the prerequisites, it may be possible to be accepted into the graduate program on the condition that the remaining prerequisites are completed at UNH. Applicants must submit current scores (within five years) from the general test of the GRE.

For students without a B.S. degree in computer science, the minimal formal coursework includes an introduction to computer science, object-oriented programming, data structures, operating systems, programming language concepts, and computer science theory.

These prerequisites can be satisfied at UNH by the following undergraduate courses:

CS 415 Introduction to Computer Science I
CS 416 Introduction to Computer Science II
CS 515 Data Structures
CS 516 Introduction to Software Design and Development
CS 620 Operating System Fundamentals
MATH 531 Mathematical Proof
MATH 532 Discrete Mathematics

And, one of the following CS theory courses:

CS 659 Introduction to the Theory of Computation
CS 645 Introduction to Formal Specifications

Although the master’s program is normally a two-year program, someone admitted with just this minimal background should anticipate taking two-and-a-half to three years to complete the degree. Students without a B.S. or M.S. in computer science are not normally admitted directly into the Ph.D. program, but it is possible to transfer from the M.S. program to the Ph.D. program.

Degree Requirements

M.S. Degree Requirements
The M.S. program has three options: thesis, project, and exam.

M.S. Thesis Option
1. CS 900, Computer Science Seminar.

2. Eight CS graduate courses of at least 3 credits each.

a. Two must be implementation intensive (see list below).
b. Three courses must be chosen from three different breadth groups (see
list below).
c. At least two courses must be above 900.

3. Thesis (6 credits). The student must complete a thesis under the supervision of a thesis adviser and a thesis committee of at least three members.

M.S. Project Option
1. CS 900, Computer Science Seminar.

2. Ten CS graduate courses of at least 3 credits each.

a. Two must be implementation intensive (see list below).
b. Four courses must be chosen from four different breadth groups (see
list below).
c. At least three courses must be above 900; one of these must be related
to the project area.

3. Project (3 credits). The student must complete a project under the supervision of a faculty adviser.

M.S. Exam Option
1. CS 900, Computer Science Seminar.

2. Ten CS graduate courses of at least 3 credits each.

a. Two must be implementation intensive (see list below).
b. Four courses must be chosen from four different breadth groups (see
list below).
c. At least three courses must be above 900.

3. Comprehensive exam that includes four different examination topics (see list below).

One topic must be selected from one of the topics in the Theory breadth group (see list below); the other three topics must be selected from three different breadth groups (which can include a second theory topic).

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

1. CS 900, Computer Science Seminar.

2. Seven CS graduate courses (three credits or more) beyond the M.S. or fifteen CS graduate courses beyond the B.S.

a. Two must be implementation intensive (see list below).
b. A minimum of four courses must be chosen from four different course
breadth groups (see list below).

3. Breadth examination that includes four different examination topics (see list below): one topic must be selected from one of the Theory Group; the other three topics must be selected from three different groups (which can include a second theory topic).

4. Research tool. A research tool represents knowledge and skills in another discipline that can help the student carry out his or her research plan. This is typically satisfied by taking a non-computer science graduate level course.

5. Depth requirement. Under the direction of a depth adviser and a depth committee, the student carries out some preliminary research that is likely to lead to a dissertation topic. The student must produce two written reports (a literature survey and a research report) and make a presentation as part of an oral examination on the material.

6. Dissertation. The student must complete original research and present and defend a dissertation describing that research. The research is carried out under the supervision of a faculty member dissertation adviser and a dissertation committee of at least five members, including one from outside the department.

Implementation Intensive Courses
Implementation intensive courses include: CS 812, 819, 820, 830, and 870.

Examination Topic Groups
The list below identifies the six topic groups used for both the M.S. comprehensive exam and the Ph.D. breadth exam.

Group: Exam Topics

1. Theory: Theory of Computation, Algorithm Analysis, Formal Specification and Verification

2. Systems: Operating Systems, Computer Networks

3. Compiler and Language: Compilers

4. Database: Database

5. Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence

6. Interactive Systems: Graphics

Breadth Course Groups*
The list below identifies the six breadth course groups and introductory (800-level) graduate courses in each group. It is also acceptable to satisfy a group requirement by taking an advanced course (900-level) in the specified area. (Note that there are courses in the curriculum that are not in any of the identified groups.)

*Not all breadth courses form the basis for exam topics. There are no current exams in the following courses: CS 820, 821, 835, 860, and 867.

Group: Introductory Course

1. Theory: CS 845, 859

2. Systems: CS 820, 821, 824, 825

3. Compiler and Language: CS 812, 835

4. Database: CS 875

5. Artificial Intelligence: CS 830, 865

6. Interactive Systems: CS 860, 867, 870