Master of Science in Computer Science Plan B

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• 3.0 Cumulative GPA in your BS program
• TOEFL score of 79 or IELTS overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 5 on each subscale
• Extensive experience in computing, programming experience in C++, and a course in Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 2420), as well as a working grasp of calculus and statistics

Application Materials

Note: Application materials may be submitted after paying the $55 nonrefundable application fee. For more information on application materials, visit the School of Graduate Studies' Steps to Apply and Admissions Policies.

Note: Admitted students may defer their acceptance for a maximum of one year. Beyond one year, students need to reapply for their program.

Program Pathway

1. Be accepted to the Master of Science in Computer Science, Plan B program and work with your temporary advisor: the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu.
2. Register for courses.
3. First Semester (due Nov. 30 or Apr. 20): Form your graduate committee and complete the Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF).
4. Second Semester (due Apr. 1st or Nov. 1st): Submit your Program of Study (POS) by emailing the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, to let them know it is ready for approval.
5. Third Semester (or sooner): Submit your Thesis Proposal Approval (TPA) .
6. Take 2-3 credits of CS 6970 and conduct your research. Take 31-32 credits of coursework, as listed on your POS.
7. Write your report and submit it to your major professor then committee.
8. Tentatively schedule your examination with your committee and complete your Appointment for Examination (AFE) at least 2 weeks prior.
9. Present your report then complete any edits requested by your major professor.
10. Complete the Plan B Report Submission form when you and your professor agree that it is ready for publication.
11. Your Computer Science MS, Plan B program is complete after when you complete the coursework on your POS and your report has been approved by the library.
12. Check with the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu, about any final closeout steps for the School of Computing.

Supervisory Committee

• New students are assigned a temporary advisor.
• By the end of their first semester, students should know their research area and have identified a professor to supervise said research.
• Students formulate a research idea/topic and approach the identified professor.
• If the identified professor agrees to accept the new student, the professor becomes the student’s permanent advisor (also called Committee Chair or Major Professor).
• Together, the student and the Committee Chair decide the other members of the student’s Graduate Supervisory Committee. See the webpage for your specific degree for information on who is eligible to serve on a committee.
• The School of Computing Head and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies must approve the committee list.
• For students joining the department in Fall semester, you will need to submit a Supervisory Committee Form (SCAF) by November 30. For students joining the department in Spring semester, you will need to submit a SCAF by April 20.
• If your advisor leaves USU, it is your responsibility to get a new advisor. The advisor cannot, in general, direct your progress from another university (exceptions may be made for students who have passed the PhD proposal or are otherwise nearing completion of their degree).

Program of Study (POS) Requirements

The Program of Study (POS) is a contract among the student, committee members, and the School of Graduate Studies outlining which courses the student will take to meet the School of Graduate Studies requirements and complete their degree program.

Students joining the department in a Fall semester will need to submit a Program of Study by April 1st of their second semester. Students joining the department in a Spring semester will need to submit a Program of Study by November 1st of their second semester.

In order to be approved, the POS must follow the Computer Science MS, Plan B degree requirements listed on the USU Catalog. Requirements for a Computer Science MS Plan B POS are as follows:

Departmental funding (in the form of teaching assistanships) is not available for Plan B students. Some students are able to find campus employment with other departments or research groups:

• Apply for admission as a graduate student
• School of Graduate Studies financial assistance (Fellowships, Assistantships, Tuition Waivers and Remission)
• University Financial Aid
• Learn more about student employment through the Career Design Center. For more information about employment in the School of Computing, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Taryn Sommers taryn.sommers@usu.edu

The School of Computing Tuition Award Policy