University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Colorado Denver

Computer Science Option

The Computer Science option integrates a course of study in computer science with mathematics and the natural and physical sciences.

Degree Requirements

30 hours total: 18 hours must be at the graduate level (5000 and above); 12 hours can be at the 4000 level.

Either by previous training or by completed coursework, candidates must demonstrate facility with a high-level language such as Java, Pascal, C++, Delphi or Ada that includes the ability to use arrays, records, dynamic structures (pointers), and recursion.

Computer Science Requirement:

Minimum 15 hours of approved coursework at 4000+ level in computer science.  These courses may include Applied Focus Courses with advisor approval.  Some computer science and mathematics courses are cross listed; a cross-listed course may not be counted both as a computer science and as a mathematics course. 

Science/Mathematics Requirement:

Minimum 6 hours of approved coursework at 4000+ level in biology, chemistry, mathematics, geology and physics.  You must include at least two of these subject areas.  These courses may include Applied Focus Courses with advisor approval.

The degree plan may include 3 semester hours of approved courses or seminars at the 4000+ level in secondary school mathematics teaching, history of mathematics or science, or philosophy of mathematics or science.

Research Requirement: 

All candidates for the MIS must complete a research project.  You may select a thesis option (4-6 semester hours) or a project option (1-4 semester hours).

Sample Computer Science Degree Plan

Computer Science Coursework

C SC 4034 Theoretical Foundations of C. S.
C SC 4202 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
C SC 5630 Linguistic Geometry
C SC 5761 Intro. to Computer Networks
C SC 5565 Intro to Computer Graphics

Total Computer science Hours

Credit Hours

3
3
3
3
3

15

Science/Mathematics Coursework

CHEM 5600 Topics in Chemistry: Computational Chemistry
BIOL 5099 Biology for Computer Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians
BIOL 5570 Cellular Neurobiology-Computer Modeling
MATH 5198 Mathematics for Bioscientists

Total Science/Mathematics Hours

Credit Hours

3
3
3

3

12

Master’s Thesis: Development of a computer model to predict inhibition of serine protease enzymes

4

Synopsis of above plan:

15    Computer science hours
12     Science/Math hours
  4     Thesis hours
31     Total hours (30 minimum)

  6     4000-level hours (12 hours maximum)
25     5000+ hours (18 minimum)