A student who entered the MSCS program under the old requirements (MSCS Degree Requirements Prior to Fall 2009) has two options:
- Continuing in the program under the old requirements. The Core Exam will be offered as long as there are students who entered under the old requirements who need to take the Core Exam.
- Switching to the new requirements (MSCS Degree Requirements Effective Fall 2009).
- A student may petition the DGS in writing for permission to switch to the new requirements. If permission is granted, the student is not permitted to return to the old requirements.
- For a student admitted under the old requirements, the new Requirement B will be interpreted as follows.
- If the student has taken no foundational courses (which are G22.1170 Fundamental Algorithms, G22.2110 Programming Languages, and G22.2250 Operating Systems), the student must successfully complete at least one of the three foundational courses within the first three courses taken following the transition. Furthermore, the student must complete all three foundational courses within the first six courses following the transition. To remain in good standing, the student must achieve a rolling grade point average (GPA) of B- (2.7) or better in all foundational courses attempted.
- If the student has taken one or two foundational courses, the student must successfully complete the remaining foundational course(s) within the first three courses taken following the transition. To remain in good standing, the student must achieve a rolling GPA of B- (2.7) or better in all foundational courses attempted, including the one or two foundational courses taken already.
- If the student has taken all three foundational courses already, but has achieved a rolling GPA less than B- (2.7), the student must complete the MS program under the old requirements.
- If the student has completed all three foundational courses with a GPA of at least 2.7, then Requirement B is considered to have been satisfied.
- Requirement C will remain the same for any student wishing to transition to the new requirements. An MS student must pass one course in two of the following four designated application areas: computation for science and society; graphics; intelligent systems; and databases.
- For the new Requirement D, an MS student must complete a designated capstone course with a grade of B (3.0) or better. A student may instead choose to write a master's thesis if the following conditions are satisfied: the student has a cumulative GPA of 3.75 after six courses; the student has completed all three foundational courses with at least a B+ in each; the student has found a full-time faculty member to serve as a thesis advisor; and the student has received approval from the DGS. Alternatively, subject to prior approval of the DGS, the student may complete an advanced lab.
