School of Computer and Information Sciences

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
GRADUATE

Dean: David L. Feinstein (251) 460-6390
Director, CIS Graduate Studies: R. J. Daigle
Coordinators: Daigle (ISC), Doran (CSC), Owen (ITE)
Professors: Daigle, Doran, Feinstein, Longenecker
Associate Professors: Hain, Langan, Pardue
Assistant Professors: Johnsten, Landry, Moulton, Owen, Simmons, Sweeney, Zhou


School of Computer and Information Sciences web site http://www.cis.usouthal.edu


THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES PROGRAM
The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree program is designed for students and professionals wishing to further their knowledge and expertise in computer science. There are two major areas of concentration within the degree program:
1.	COMPUTER SCIENCE (CSC) for students interested in the theoretical aspects of the discipline with an emphasis on the construction of system software or the development of scientific applications using software engineering principles.
2.	INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ISC) for students interested in business and organizational applications and information systems management.

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGULAR AND PROVISIONAL ADMISSION
Students are admitted each semester. Applicants who have an earned undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education and who satisfy the admission criteria for the Graduate School (See Graduate School, Categories of Admission) may qualify for admission to the School of Computer and Information Sciences Graduate Program.
Applicants whose highest degree is an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education may qualify for Regular Admission based upon their previous graduate work. Applicants whose highest degree is an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education must provide official scores on the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections of the GRE in addition to the Graduate School requirements for Regular or Provisional Admission.
Final admission decisions are made based upon an evaluation of the applicant's complete file which consists of all official academic transcripts, undergraduate grade-point average; GRE scores; letters of reference; professional experience; the applicant's statement of purpose; TOEFL scores (for international applicants); and program enrollment and availability.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION
The School of CIS does not accept Non-Degree admissions to the Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences.

COMPUTER OWNERSHIP POLICY
All students enrolling in any undergraduate and graduate course, except CIS 110, CIS 150, CIS 250, CIS 227, and CIS 500, are required to own a personal laptop computer system that conforms to the current School minimum published standards. This is a one-student one-machine requirement. Consult the School of Computer and Information Sciences web site at www.cis.usouthal.edu for current standards.

CIS GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
All CIS graduate courses require CIS Graduate Professional Component Standing. Upon entering the School of Computer and Information Sciences Graduate Program, the student meets with the coordinator of the student's specialization area (CSC or ISC) to prepare an initial draft of the student's personal program of study. The specialization coordinator reviews the student's previous academic work to see if any courses from the CIS Graduate Foundation or the Required/Supporting courses are to be included as part of the student's personal program of study. These prescribed courses form the CIS Graduate Professional Component requirement for the student. A student attains CIS Graduate Professional Component Standing if either a) the student is not prescribed Professional Component courses or b) the student successfully completes the prescribed Professional Component courses. The CIS Foundation and Requirement/Supporting Courses (undergraduate equivalents are listed in parenthesis) for each specialization are enumerated below:
1.	CIS GRADUATE FOUNDATION COURSES:
A.	Courses common to Computer Science (CSC) and Information Systems (ISC) Specializations Five (5) CIS Foundation courses common to both CSC and ISC specializations are as follows:
	a.	CIS	501	Accelerated Programming
		(CIS	120)	(Problem Solving and Programming Concepts I) And
		(CIS	121)	(Problem Solving and Programming Concepts II)
	b.	CIS	502	Accelerated Operating Systems and Computer Architecture
		(CSC	320)	(Computer Organization and Architecture)
			And
		(CIS	322)	(Operating Systems)
	c.	CIS	503	Accelerated Data and File Structures
		(CIS	230)	(Adv Data and File Structures)
	d.	CIS	504	Accelerated Networks and Communications
		(CIS	321)	(Data Comm and Networking)
	e.	CIS	507	Database Programming
		(CIS	324)	(Database Design, Development, and Management)
B.	Computer Science (CSC)
	There is one additional CIS Foundation course for the CSC specialization:
		CIS	505,	Programming Languages
		(CSC	333)	Program Language Theory)
			And
		(CSC	434)	(Formal Language and Automata Theory)
C.	Information Systems (ISC)
	There is one additional CIS Foundation course for the ISC specialization:
		CIS	506	IS in Organizations (No undergraduate equivalent)
2.	REQUIRED SUPPORTING COURSES:
	The supporting courses required for each specialization area are as follows:
	a.	COMPUTER SCIENCE (CSC)
		MA	125	Calculus I
		MA	126	Calculus II
		MA	267	Discrete Math
			And
		ST	315	Statistics
	b.	INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ISC)
		MA	120	Calculus and its Applications Or MA 267 Discrete Math
		MGT	340	Organizational Behavior
		MGT	497	MBA Statistical Analysis
			And
		One additional approved Business/Management course

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
International students must submit documentary evidence showing TOEFL test scores of at least 525 or an equivalent level of competence as exhibited by a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the United States. All international students will be required to take the ESL (English as a Second Language) examination and may be required to enroll in ESL courses as part of their graduate program in addition to the normal requirements for the degree listed below.

CHOICE OF BULLETIN UNDER WHICH A STUDENT GRADUATES
Students entering the CIS program may choose any catalogue from their entry date to their time of graduation. This applies for new students and transfer students. Students at the University of South Alabama changing their graduate specialization in CIS, changing their major to CIS, or who interrupt their program for more than one calendar year are considered new students with respect to catalogue selection.

COURSES TAKEN OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
No more than three graduate courses, maximum of nine (9) semester hours taken outside of the School of Computer and Information Sciences may be applied toward the degree. Only grades of “A” or “B” may be accepted. Transfer credit is approved only after completion of a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit towards the degree. Any such transfer courses must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies for Computer and Information Sciences and the student’s advisor and may not have been used to fulfill the requirements of another graduate degree.

SCHEDULING OF COURSES
The graduate program for CIS is primarily an evening program. The courses are scheduled to accommodate full-time students (normally two or three courses per semester) and part-time students (one course per semester). Special topics, directed study, and thesis courses are available as they are needed.

TIME LIMITATION
All requirements for a graduate degree must be completed within five (5) calendar years from the date of matriculation as a CIS graduate student. The five calendar year constraint also applies to all accepted transfer courses.

GRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR
The CIS Graduate Research Seminar is scheduled periodically during each semester as a forum for students and faculty to present and discuss research issues, ideas, and results. Attendance is expected of all graduate students. For students enrolled in these special courses: CIS 518, CIS 594, CIS 595, CSC 595, ISC 595, CIS 598, CSC 598, ISC 598, and CIS 599. Moreover students enrolled in these special courses are required to give a presentation each semester based on their work in the course in which they are enrolled.

PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPATION
Master’s students are expected to take an active part in at least one (1) professional computing organization. They are expected to be aware of the social impact of computing and adhere to the ACM/AITP code of ethics.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis and are awarded on the recommendation of the School of Computer and Information Sciences. Applications can be obtained from the CIS office.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
All CIS masters students must complete a comprehensive examination for the CORE courses in their Specialization (Computer Science or Information Systems). The comprehensive examination may be repeated no more than twice. A written examination is required of students who choose the Course Only Concentration, an oral examination is required of students who complete either the Thesis Concentration or the Project Concentration.

GRADUATE SCHOOL STANDARDS
For all other graduate policies and procedures not specifically supplemented for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree program, refer to The Graduate School. Some policies and procedures that may be of interest are: Graduate Study for Advanced Undergraduates, Graduate School Academic Standards, Grade Standards, Change of Grade, Academic Dismissal, Final Grade Grievance Policy, Appeal Procedure, English Language Proficiency, Full Load of Course Work in a Semester, Change of Program, Student Responsibility, Degree Requirements for the Master’s Degree, Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations, Standards for Theses and Dissertations, and Application for Degree.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERS DEGREE WITH COMPUTER SCIENCE (CSC) SPECIALIZATION
Students must satisfactorily complete any prescribed CIS Graduate Professional Component courses, a comprehensive examination, and thirty-six (36) graduate credit hours for the Master of Science degree with Computer Science specialization. The thirty-six (36) graduate credit hours consist of twelve (12) hours of CORE courses, three (3) semester hours of REQUIRED courses, and twenty-one (21) semester hours of approved elective courses according to the selected concentration option as follows:
1.	CORE COURSES (12 semester hours):
	All core courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “B”.
		CSC	520	Computer Architecture
		CSC	522	Perform Eval of Algorithms
		CSC	525	Complexity Theory
			And
		CSC	527	Software Engineering Prin

2.	REQUIRED COURSES (3 semester hours):
		CIS	518	CIS Research Methodologies

3.	CONCENTRATIONS (21 semester hours):
	A.	THESIS CONCENTRATION.
	Acceptance to the THESIS CONCENTRATION may occur after successfully completing each Computer Science core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S. Students must enroll in CIS 595 (Computer and Information Sciences Research Development) in the semester during which they defend their thesis prospectus. The thesis will normally be completed in one semester while enrolled in CIS 599 (Computer and Information Sciences Thesis). Students must enroll in CIS 599 in the semester during which they defend and/or submit their thesis. A grade of "C" in CIS 595 will result in the dismissal from the THESIS CONCENTRATION to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of CIS 595 and CIS 599 may be applied to the degree for the THESIS CONCENTRATION.
	a.	Research Development
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CIS 595, Computer and Information Sciences Research Development, may be applied towards the degree.
	b.	Thesis
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CIS 599, Computer and Information Sciences Thesis, may be applied towards the degree.
	c.	Elective Course Work
		A minimum of twelve (12) and a maximum of fifteen (15) semester hours of approved electives. A list of Pre-Approved Computer Science elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	d.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in the Thesis Concentration must pass an oral comprehensive examination administered after the thesis committee accepts the thesis.
	B.	PROJECT CONCENTRATION.
	Acceptance to the PROJECT CONCENTRATION may occur after successfully completing each Computer Science core course with a minimum grade of B and CSC 518 with a grade of S. A required defense of the project proposal is normally made in the semester following completion of CIS 518. Students must enroll in CSC 595, Computer Science Project Proposal Development, in the semester during which they defend their project proposal. The project will normally be completed in one semester while enrolled in CSC 598, Computer Science Project. Students must enroll in CSC 598 in the semester during which they defend and/or submit their project. A grade of "C" in CSC 595 will result in the dismissal from the PROJECT CONCENTRATION to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of CSC 595 and CSC 598 may be applied to the degree for the PROJECT CONCENTRATION.
	a.	Project Proposal Development
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CSC 595, Computer Science Project Proposal Development, may be applied towards the degree.
	b.	Project
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CSC 598, Computer Science Project, may be applied towards the degree.
	c.	Elective Course Work
		A minimum of twelve (12) and a maximum of fifteen (15) semester hours of approved electives. A list of Pre-Approved Computer Science elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	d.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in the Project Concentration must pass an oral comprehensive examination administered after the project committee accepts the project.

	C.	COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION.
	Computer Science students who do not choose the THESIS CONCENTRATION or the PROJECT CONCENTRATION are assumed to be in the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. Acceptance to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION occurs after successfully completing each Computer Science core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S.
	a.	Elective Course Work
		Twenty-one (21) semester hours of approved electives are required. A list of Pre-Approved Computer Science elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	b.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in this Concentration must pass a written comprehensive examination. Students must take the examination as soon as possible after successfully completing each Computer Science core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S. Students wishing to sit for the examination must apply online to the Director of CIS Graduate Studies by the Friday of the last week of classes in the semester prior to which the examination is to be taken. The site for the online application may be found by following the Links for Students selection on the School of CIS web site, http://cis.usouthal.edu . The policy regarding the comprehensive examination is available in the CIS office. The comprehensive examination is offered at least once a year.

4.	COMPUTER SCIENCE ELECTIVES
	A list of Pre-Approved Computer Science elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given below. All other courses must be approved by the Computer Sciences Coordinator. A maximum of six (6) credit hours of non-CSC or non-CIS courses will be allowed.
	A.	PRE-APPROVED COMPUTER SCIENCE ELECTIVES
		CSC	510	Compiler Design and Const
		CSC	511	Comm and Network Analysis
		CSC	512	Real-Time Software Systems
		CSC	513	Computer Graphics
		CSC	514	Modeling and Simulation
		CSC	515	Numerical Analysis
		CSC	524	Computer Language Design
		CSC	526	Database Structure and Design
		CSC	532	Advanced Operating Systems
		CSC	533	Artificial Intelligence and Heuristic Programming
		ISC	559	Info Systems Applications Design and Implementation
		ISC	561	Info Systems Database Mgt.
		ISC	571	Info Systems Data Warehousing and Decision Support

	B.	SPECIAL PERMISSION COURSES
		Approval of the Computer Science Coordinator and the Director of the CIS Graduate Studies is required for CIS Graduate faculty sponsorship of a Special Permission course. A maximum of three (3) credit hours of Special Permission courses may be applied to the degree for the THESIS CONCENTRATION or the PROJECT CONCENTRATION; a maximum of six (6) credit hours of Special Permission courses may be applied to the degree for the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION.
		CIS	594	Directed Study
		CIS	595	Computer Science Research Development
		CSC	595	Computer Science Project Proposal Development
		CIS	598	Computer and Information Sciences Project

REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERS DEGREE WITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ISC) SPECIALIZATION:
Students must satisfactorily complete any prescribed CIS Graduate Professional Component courses, a comprehensive examination, and thirty-six (36) graduate credit hours for the Master of Science degree with Information Systems specialization. The thirty-six (36) graduate hours consist of twelve (12) hours of CORE courses, nine (9) semester hours of REQUIRED courses, and fifteen (15) semester hours of approved elective courses according to the selected CONCENTRATION option as follows:
1.	CORE COURSES (12 semester hours):
	All core courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “B”.
		ISC	551	Human/Computer Interface Design
		ISC	560	Info Systems Analysis
		ISC	561	Info Systems Database Mgt
			And
		ISC	565	Info Systems Project and Change Mgt
2.	REQUIRED COURSES (9 semester hours):
		CIS	518	CIS Research Methodologies
		ISC	559	Applications Design and Implementation
		ISC	562	Info Systems Design

3.	CONCENTRATIONS (15 semester hours):
	A.	THESIS CONCENTRATION.
	Acceptance to the THESIS CONCENTRATION may occur after successfully completing each Information Systems core course with a minimum grade of B and CSC 518 with a grade of S. Students must enroll in CIS 595 (Computer and Information Sciences Research Development) in the semester during which they defend their thesis prospectus. The thesis will normally be completed in one semester while enrolled in CIS 599 (Computer and Information Sciences Thesis). Students must enroll in CIS 599 in the semester during which they defend and/or submit their thesis. A grade of "C" in CIS 595 will result in dismissal from the THESIS CONCENTRATION to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of CIS 595 and CIS 599 may be applied to the degree for the THESIS CONCENTRATION.
	a.	Research Development
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CIS 595, Computer and Information Sciences Research Development, may be applied towards the degree.
	b.	Thesis
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of CIS 599, Computer and Information Sciences Thesis, may be applied towards the degree.
	c.	Elective Course Work
		A minimum of six (6) and a maximum of nine (9) semester hours of approved electives. A list of Pre-Approved Information Systems elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	d.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in the Thesis Concentration must pass an oral comprehensive examination administered after the thesis committee accepts the thesis.
	B.	PROJECT CONCENTRATION.
	Acceptance to the PROJECT CONCENTRATION may occur after successfully completing each Information Systems core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S. A required defense of the project proposal is normally made in the semester following completion of CIS 518. Students must enroll in ISC 595, Information Systems Project Proposal Development, in the semester during which they defend their project proposal. The project will normally be completed in one semester while enrolled in ISC 598, Information Systems Project. Students must enroll in ISC 598 in the semester during which they defend and/or submit their project. A grade of "C" in ISC 595 will result in dismissal from the PROJECT CONCENTRATION to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of ISC 595 and ISC 598 may be applied to the degree for the PROJECT CONCENTRATION.
	a.	Project Proposal Development
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of ISC 595, Information Systems Project Proposal Development, may be applied towards the degree.
	b.	Project
		A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit of ISC 598, Information Systems Project, may be applied towards the degree.
	c.	Elective Course Work
		A minimum of six (6) and a maximum of nine (9) semester hours of approved electives. A list of Pre-Approved Information Systems elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	d.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in the Project Concentration must pass an oral comprehensive examination after the project committee accepts the project.

	C.	COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION.
	Information Systems students who do not choose the THESIS CONCENTRATION or the PROJECT CONCENTRATION are assumed to be in the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION. Acceptance to the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION occurs after successfully completing each Information Systems core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S.
	a.	Elective Course Work
		Fifteen (15) semester hours of approved electives are required. A list of Pre-Approved Information Systems courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given in this section.
	b.	Comprehensive Examination
		All students in this Concentration must pass a written examination. Students must take the examination as soon as possible after successfully completing each Information Systems core course with a minimum grade of B and CIS 518 with a grade of S. Students wishing to sit for the examination must apply online to the Director of CIS Graduate Studies by the Friday of the last week of classes in the semester prior to which the examination is to be taken. The site for the online application may be found by following the Links for Students selection on the School of CIS web site, http://cis.usouthal.edu . The policy regarding the comprehensive examination is available in the CIS office. The comprehensive examination is offered at least once a year.

4.	INFORMATION SYSTEM ELECTIVES
	A list of Pre-Approved Information Systems elective courses and a list of Special Permission courses are given below. All other courses must be approved by the Information Systems Coordinator.
	A.	PRE-APPROVED INFORMATION SYSTEMS ELECTIVES
		ISC	553	Info Systems Web Site Mgt.
		ISC	557	Modeling and Decision Support Systems
		ISC	563	Info Systems Database Admin
		ISC	571	Info Systems Date Warehousing and Decision Support
		CSC	511	Communications and Network Analysis
		CSC	514	Modeling and Simulation
		CSC	527	Software Engineering Prin.
		CSC	533	Artificial Intelligence and Heuristic Programming

	B.	SPECIAL PERMISSION COURSES
		Approval of the Information Systems Coordinator and the Director of the CIS Graduate Studies is required for CIS Graduate faculty sponsorship of a Special Permission Course. A maximum of three (3) credit hours of Special Permission courses may be applied to the degree for the THESIS CONCENTRATION or the PROJECT CONCENTRATION; a maximum of six (6) credit hours of Special Permission courses may be applied to the degree for the COURSE ONLY CONCENTRATION.
		CIS	594	Directed Study
		CIS	595	Computer Science Research Development
		ISC	595	Info Systems Project Proposal Development
		CIS	598	Computer & Information Sciences Project


DESCRIPTIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCES COURSES ARE FOUND AS FOLLOWS:
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES (CIS)
COMPUTER SCIENCE (CSC)
INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ISC)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ITE)