Page 69 - Bowie State University Graduate Catalog 2018-2020.

passes a departmental examination for that course. For more details, the
student should consult with his/her advisor upon admission to the program.

Note:
Students accepted into the graduate program in computer science can pursue
either a Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree in computer science. However,
students pursuing a Doctoral degree may make a request to be awarded a
Master’s degree as they work towards the Doctorate provided they have
fulfilled all of the requirements for the Master’s program.

Program Requirements
The requirements for the master's degree in computer science are as follows:

1. A minimum of 36 credit hours as described below, with an overall
grade point average of 3.00 or better. The coursework must include:

Core Courses (15 credits):
COSC 502, COSC 504, COSC 514, COSC 522 and COSC 528

and one of the following two options:

Option I: COSC 698 (3 credits) Applied Research in Computer Science and six (6)
elective courses (18 credits).

Option II: COSC 696 and COSC 697 (6 credits) Graduate (Master’s) Thesis and
five (5) elective courses (15 credits).

2. A minimum of 30 credits, excluding prerequisite courses, must be
completed at Bowie State University. Therefore, no more than six (6) graduate
computer science credits may be transferred from other institutions or Bowie
State University programs external to the Department of Computer Science.

3. A student must complete all degree requirements within a period of
seven (7) consecutive years.

4. Students with a strong undergraduate computer science background
are encouraged to substitute required courses with more advanced electives.
Written permission from a graduate advisor and the coordinator is required.
Also, each student is required to develop a program of study plan in
consultation with his/her advisor. The A total of 36 credits is needed to
graduate.

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