Department of Computer Science


Edward G. Pekarek, Jr., Chairperson and Professor
Ph.D., Purdue University
Operating Systems, Computer Networks


James B. Fenwick, Jr., Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Delaware
Optimizing Compilers, Parallel Systems


Kenneth H. Jacker, Associate Professor
M.S., Stanford University
Real-Time Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Data
Communications


Barry L. Kurtz, Professor
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Computer-Based Education and Programming Languages


Alice A. McRae, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Clemson University
Graph Algorithms, Genetic Algorithms


Cindy A. Norris, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Delaware
Compiler Optimization, Register Allocation, Fine-Grain Parallel Architectures


Dolores A. Parks, Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Graph Theory, Combinatorics


C. Ray Russell, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology
Human-Computer Interface Design; Experimental Study of Software Designer
Behavior


Rahman Tashakkori, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Louisiana State University
Digital Processing and Imaging


James T. Wilkes, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Duke University
Scientific Computing, Parallel Computing


The Department of Computer Science offers an M.S. degree in computer
science.  The Computer Science M.S. program is for students who would like to 
advance beyond the undergraduate level of professional competence or to 
prepare for future doctoral study.  The curriculum includes a balance between 
theory and applications and is built around a core of required courses in the 
basic areas of computer science.  Through an appropriate selection of elective 
courses and thesis topics, students may choose either a theory emphasis or an 
applications emphasis.  The program can normally be completed in two years or 
less with the appropriate undergraduate education or work experience.




MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
Major Code: 224A




Prerequisites:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Undergraduate course work in the following:  
   Advanced programming in a high-level language
   Discrete mathematics 
   Introductory theoretical computer science
   Data structures 
   Assembly language
   Computer architecture
   Calculus (two semesters)
   Matrix or linear algebra
   Calculus-based probability and/or statistics.
Basic Criteria for Consideration
Cumulative Undergraduate GPA:   >2.75 
GPA in related course work (including prerequisite courses and courses
equivalent to a computer science major at Appalachian): >3.0
GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative = >1050
Other Criteria for All Applicants
3 recommendations
Deadline
1 July for Fall/   1 November for Spring/    1 April for Summer


Hours: 30 semester hours


Required Courses:
        C S 5100 Seminar in Computer Science.........................1
        C S 5110 Design and Analysis of Algorithms...................3
        C S 5483 Computer Architecture...............................3
        C S 5520 Operating Systems...................................4
        C S 5666 Software Engineering................................3
  
                SUBTOTAL HOURS............................................14


Approved Computer Science Electives..............................10-12
                 SUBTOTAL HOURS.........................................10-12
                                                                        
Thesis: Required
        C S 5999 Thesis............................................4-6


                 TOTAL HOURS...............................................30


Language Proficiency:  None required


Comprehensive:  A written comprehensive examination on the required courses
(except 5100) and an oral defense of the thesis are required.


Product of Learning: None required


(For a description of the course abbreviations used in the following list of
courses, see page 46.)