Master of Computer Science (MCS) Degree

 MCS Degree

Upon completing the MCS degree, students will be able to:

1. Solve advanced Computer Science problems. Students will acquire and apply a graduate-level understanding of material in sub-areas of Computer Science.
2. Design and implement complex software systems. Students will demonstrate skill in their design and implementation and function effectively in teams.
3. Communicate effectively to a client and user.

MCS Degree

MCS degree is a non-thesis master's degree. For general university requirements, please see Non-Thesis Master's Degrees. For additional requirements, regulations, and procedures for all graduate programs, . Students pursuing MCS degree must complete:

• A minimum of 30 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at 500-level or above). 
• A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours credit hours must be taken at Rice University.
• A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken in standard or traditional courses (with a course type of lecture, seminar, laboratory, lecture/laboratory). 
• A minimum residency enrollment of one fall or spring semester of part-time graduate study at Rice University.
• A maximum of 2 courses (6 graduate semester credit hours) from transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see Policies tab.
• one area of specialization (see below for areas of specialization). MCS degree program offers twelve areas of specialization:
  • AI and Robotics, or
  • Architecture, or
  • Compilers, or
  • Computer Vision, or
  • Data Science, or
  • Database, or
  • Networking, or
  • Optimization, or
  • Parallel Computing, or
  • PL Theory and Logic, or
  • Software Engineering, or
  • Systems and Security.⁵ 
• A 50 week-6 month internship. Students are responsible for obtaining and selecting an internship that best aligns with their career goals.
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework.
• A minimum program GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies non-thesis master’s degree.

MCS degree is a terminal degree for students intending to pursue a technical career in computer industry. MCS degree areas of specialization include artificial intelligence and robotics, computer vision, data science, databases, operating systems and security, computer networks, computer architecture, parallel computing, compiler construction, programming languages, and software engineering. MCS degree program normally requires three semesters of study.

Students in MCS degree program are expected to pay full tuition and all fees. No financial aid is available from university or department for MCS students.

courses listed below satisfy this degree program. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of program's academic advisor, or where applicable, department or program's Director of Graduate Studies. Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by department or program's Official Certifier. Additionally, these must be approved by Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document courses to be taken.

The English Language Proficiency Requirement may be waived for an international student who received a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication. Contact the admitting program for more information.

The following language proficiency tests are accepted by Rice graduate programs and will be used to assess English language proficiency. Please note the below scores are the minimum requirement, though some program requirements will be higher.

• The TOEFL IBT Home. A minimum score of 90 is required
• IELTS Indicator. A minimum score of 7 is required.
• Duolingo. A minimum score of 115 is required.

1. Find your graduate program(s) of interest and submit an interest form. Click here for a listing of schools and departments.
2. Research the cost of study and available financial support. Qualified doctoral students often receive tuition waivers and a generous stipend.
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