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DESCRIPTION: The Department of Computer Sciences offers advanced study opportunities in Computer Science.

The Master of Science in Computer Science degree program with a concentration in data and knowledge systems is the only such degree concentration offered in Georgia and one of only a handful across the country. The area of data and knowledge systems covers areas such as speech and vision recognition systems, expert systems, data storage systems, and information retrieval systems, such as online search engines.

This fully online program focuses on the currently hot areas of data mining and data warehousing. Courses are taught by internationally renowned experts in the field. The program of study consists of 30 hours of study that can be completed in less than two years (two courses per semester for five semesters). Online courses are available for students with undergraduate degrees in non-computing disciplines to qualify for admission.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Information Technology (IT) has become an integral part of modern life. Among its most important functions are the efficient transmission of information and the storage and analysis of information … Overall employment of computer network, systems, and database administrators is projected to increase by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations."

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:

REGULAR ADMISSION

U.S. Candidates: (Choose Option A or Option B)

Option A

1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or in a related field (Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, etc.) from an accredited program.
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or its equivalent.
3. Submit a general GRE score.

Option B

1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or in a related field (Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, etc.).
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.4/4.0 or its equivalent.
3. Have at least two years of relevant professional experience (employment) in computing.
4. Submit a general GRE score.

International Candidates:

1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or in a related field (for example, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, etc.)
2. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or its equivalent.
3. Submit a general GRE score.
4. Submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based) The TOEFL will be waived for international applicants who have graduated from a U.S. College or University.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

Applicants who meet most (but not all) of the Regular admission requirements may be admitted on a Provisional basis. Applicants granted Provisional admission must earn grades of "B" or higher in the courses taken under the Provisional admission status. Any other conditions of Provisional admission will be stated in the admission letter. Applicants with such admission status may take graduate-level courses counting toward the M.S. degree requirements. It is every student's responsibility to satisfy his or her conditions of admission as soon as possible after acceptance. Prerequisites for provisionally admitted students with a programming background in Java consist of making a grade of "B" or better in online versions of the following undergraduate courses:

• CSCI 3230 - Data Structure
• CSCI 3232 - Systems Software

Provisional Admission for Students with no Programming Background

Applicants who do not have any programming background may qualify for provisional admission by completing with a grade of "B" or better, the following online courses:

• WBIT 1310 - Programming & Problem-Solving I
• WBIT 2300 - Discrete Math for IT
• WBIT 2311 - Programming & Problem-Solving II

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation session in Atlanta.

TRANSFER POLICIES: A maximum of nine hours can be transferred into the program. Hours that are allowed to be transferred into the program are dependent upon the approval of the academic advisor.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The application deadlines for both admissions and financial aid decisions are:

Semester	Domestic	International
Fall	Mar 1. - Priority Jul 1 - Final	Mar 1. - Priority Jul 1 - Final
Spring	Oct. 1	Oct. 1
Summer	Apr. 1	Feb. 1

SPECIAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: None

SPECIAL PROGRAM PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites for provisionally admitted students consist of online versions of the following undergraduate courses. A “B” or better must be earned in both.

• CSCI 3230 Data Structure (3)
• CSCI 3232 Systems Software (3)

TUITION AND FEES: This program qualifies under the special E-Rate tuition, which is $390 per credit hour. Orientation fee $600.

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT ISSUES: None

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE:

Dr. Lixin Li, Graduate Director
College of Information Technology, Department of Computer Sciences
Phone: 912-478-7646
E-mail: mscs@georgiasouthern.edu