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Masters Degree
Master of Science Degree Program
The master of arts (M.A.) or master of science (M.S.) degree program prepares students for ever-expanding career opportunities. Possibilities range from the development of time-critical software for aerospace applications to the design of graphics and animation software to implementation and testing of next-generation Internet protocols.
The information on this page is a general outline of the steps leading up to the granting of a M.S. or M.A. degree. For more details and for a list of specific requirements, refer to the Computer and Information Science section of the UO Bulletin.
M.S./M.A. Course Requirements
- Core Courses
- (12 credits): Algorithms and Complexity (CIS 621), Structure of Programming Languages (CIS 624), Distributed Systems (CIS 630)
- Cluster
- (12 credits): a primary course plus two depth courses from a list of approved clusters. This list is updated yearly.
- Electives
- (30 credits):Twelve of the 30 credits may be taken outside the
department in an area closely related to the student's professional
goals, subject to approval by the student's adviser; options include
courses in linguistics, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Other
elective options within the department include:
- Up to 8 credits in Reading and Conference (CIS 605), with prior approval by the adviser.
- Up to 12 credits in Thesis (CIS 503) or Final Project (CIS 609)
- Experimental Courses (CIS 510, 610), which are new courses awaiting permanent status, with prior approval by the graduate education committee.
- Regular courses not being applied to the core or cluster requirements.
- Complex Software Systems
- Students must show competency in the design and implementation of complex software systems by taking one course from the following list: Bioinformatics (CIS 510-w/Prof. Conery's approval), Computer Architecture (CIS 529-w/instructor approval), Database Issues (CIS 552-w/Prof. Wilson's approval), Compilers (CIS 561), Parallel Processing (CIS 631), Computer Networks (CIS 632), Software Engineering (CIS 650). The complex systems course may also fulfill the cluster or electives requirements.
Master's Thesis / Project
- Master's Thesis
- The thesis option requires a written thesis and nine to 12 credits in Thesis (CIS 503). Thesis research is supervised by a faculty advisor; this advisor and other faculty members constitute the thesis committee. The master's thesis is expected to be scholarly and to demonstrate mastery of the practices of computer science. This option is strongly recommended for students who plan subsequent Ph.D. research.
- Master's Project
- The project option requires a master's degree project 8 to 12 credits in Final Project (CIS 609). Under the supervision of a faculty member, the project may entail a group effort involving several master's degree students. The project is subject to approval by the department's Graduate Education Committee.
- Related Links:
Accelerated M.S.
This program is open to students who earn a B.S. degree in computer and information science at the University of Oregon and who want to enter the master's degree program.
If a UO undergraduate takes one or two 400-level electives that have a corresponding 500 level, the student can petition the department to have four or eight credits deducted from the total number of elective credits required for the master's degree. The student must earn an A- or better in the 400-level course and have an overall GPA of at least 3.50 in upper-division CIS courses to participate in this accelerated master's program. Candidates for the degree must still complete the 24-credit core and cluster requirements for breadth and depth.
To qualify for this program you must inform the graduate coordinator in writing of your intention prior to January 15 of your senior undergraduate year. This deadline applies even if you plan to postpone graduate school for one or more years.