The graduate program in Computer Science upholds and strengthens the mission of Lamar University by providing excellence in instruction, innovation in research and scholarship, and service to the university, the profession, and to the public. The goals of the graduate program in Computer Science are:
discovering and disseminating new knowledge in the field of computer science through research and scholarship
preparing next generation scholars capable of conducting basic research and extending the current knowledge base in the discipline in a multicultural world
preparing innovators who can communicate their ideas and who understand their responsibilities as computer science professionals in a global society
The graduate program complements and strengthens the undergraduate program in Computer Science by providing advanced coursework in Computer Science and by encouraging creative thinking in research and scholarship.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Graduate Computer Science Program are that all students will:
Possess a breadth of knowledge in Computer Science, combined with a depth of knowledge in at least one focus area.
Possess the skills and knowledge to enable them to be committed to lifelong learning in Computer Science.
Be knowledgeable about the theoretical foundations of computing and have strong practical application experience.
Be able to make a professional presentation and be able to write a professional paper in Computer Science as part of a team.
Understand and respect the professional standards of ethics expected of a computer scientist and be knowledgeable concerning the history of the computing field.
Be able to analyze and compare the relative merits of alternative software designs, algorithmic approaches, and computer system organization, with respect to a variety of criteria relevant to the task (e.g. efficiency, scalability, security).
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.S. in computer science, the graduate will:
Possess a more thorough understanding of subjects covered in the undergraduate curriculum.
Have taken courses in graduate computer science to acquire a breadth of knowledge of advanced topics.
Be able to solve complex problems using advanced computing techniques and algorithms.
Be able to use current tools and technologies to implement problem solutions.
Have conducted research in at least one area of computer science or have developed at least one significant piece of software.
Have searched for and read current literature in a specialty area of computing.
Have designed, implemented, and tested at least one large project as part of a team.
Be able to explain how various areas of computing are related.
Have made a professional presentation to a learned audience.
Possess a theoretical foundation in each of the areas of Computer Science in which the student has taken courses.
Possess a good understanding of the professional and ethical standards of the computer science discipline.