Bulletin/Catalog Year 2017-2018
College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Computer Science and Quantative Methods
Dr. Bruce Myers, Chair
Maynard Mathematics and Computer Science Building, Room 211
Phone: 931-221-7822
Email: myersb@apsu.edu
Website: www.apsu.edu/csci
The Department of Computer Science and Information Technology offers both online and on-campus Master of Science (M.S.) and Professional Science Masters (P.S.M) degrees in Computer Science and Quantitative Methods ideal for professionals in a wide variety of data science and information security career fields. These programs bring together science and business skills to give students a greater competitive advantage in the workforce. They aim to produce well-rounded science professionals who have a deep knowledge of their subject but also have the ability to communicate effectively and manage projects.
The M.S. program is designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science and statistics while developing workplace skills valued by employers. The PSM program consists of study in a designated data science or information security discipline but also contain a professional component that provides a fundamental education in professional fields such as communication, policy, business, law, or cybersecurity. The M.S. program offers research project and thesis options while the PSM program requires internship. Both programs allow students to complete their degrees while continuing to hold employment.
The M.S. and PSM programs in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology offer two concentrations ideal for anyone with a bachelor’s degree, working in industry or military, and/or having a desire to advance their career with a technical degree:
- Data Management and Analysis (DMGA, online and on-campus)
- Information Assurance and Security (INAS, on-campus)
The DMGA concentration is intended to foster well-qualified professionals who can skillfully and creatively manage large amounts of data and use data to drive strategic decision making. The M.S. degree of DMGA emphasizes more skills in data science, an interdisciplinary field about scientific methods, processes and systems to extract knowledge or insights from either structured or unstructured data including Big Data, i.e., extremely large data sets that may be analyzed to reveal patterns, trends, and associations.
The INAS concentration provides students with background and practical knowledge regarding key management, technical, and software engineering aspects of information assurance and security. The M.S. degree of INAS features student selectable electives designed to form emphasis areas, such as Cybersecurity Management, Cybersecurity Network Security, Cybersecurity Secure Software Development and Cybersecurity Technical Administration, etc.
Program Specific Admissions Requirements (GRE scores, Writing Sample, LORs)
- Bachelor’s degree, conferred in any field, from accredited institutions indicating a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5
- Official transcripts (in English) from all colleges attended
- GRE scores are not required (optional)
- Resume listing three references
- Personal Essay (address the applicant’s career goals, why the applicant wishes to pursue the MS or PSM at APSU, and the applicant’s background in terms of prior coursework, research, and/or employment)
If applicable, describe tracks/options/plans
Students will complete an internship in the PSM program. Students can choose to a research project / thesis or systems development projects options in the M.S. program. The research project / thesis option will require the completion of a research project, presentation of thesis (a thesis defense), and a written manuscript under the supervision of the graduate committee. The systems development project option will require the completion of a project-based course under the supervision of the instructor.
Special rules or conditions needed for graduation (written/oral exams, practicum, etc).
The candidate must maintain a minimum scholastic average of “B” (3.0) on all graduate courses completed. The candidate in the M.S. program who chooses the research project/thesis option must pass the thesis defense.
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