The Master of Science degree in Computer Science program of study prepares the student for a career as a computer professional, yet offers enough flexibility to allow a student to design a course of study suitable for preparation for doctoral work in computer science. The program is designed to offer graduate level educational opportunities with an applied science perspective. It addresses the pre-service as well as occupational and career advancement needs of baccalaureate prepared computer scientists. The program objectives are: To address the needs of Minnesota's public and private enterprises by providing opportunities within the state of Minnesota for graduate study in applied computer science. To provide a graduate degree program for practicing computer scientists who have clearly defined academic needs related to professional advancement and/or specialization. To offer a graduate program for baccalaureate students who want to continue their education and gain specialized knowledge and skills in computer science. To expand the functional role of the Department of Computer Science in service to the Mankato area and the state of Minnesota. These objectives are met by a curriculum with core studies in software and knowledge engineering and research methods. The core studies provide the foundation upon which students develop an academic program appropriate to their interests, culminating in a research experience.
