Computer Science (M.S.)

Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search

Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.

*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)

Learning Outcomes 

Academic Learning Compact 

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.  

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills 

Graduates will be able to: 

1. Acquire a deep comprehension of the scientific principles underpinning the diverse array of tools employed within the field of computing. 

1. Attain the capability to push the boundaries of scientific advancements in the field of computing. 

1. Conduct in-depth analysis of intricate computing challenges and formulate solutions through the application of computer science theory. 

Content/discipline knowledge and skills are assessed at the college and departmental levels through oral and written presentations, exams, design projects, laboratory assessment and other assignments throughout the curriculum. 

Communication Skills 

Graduates will be able to: 

1. Efficiently search, engage with, and extract knowledge from pertinent scientific literature within the domain of computing. 

1. Systematically articulate and disseminate novel insights within the field of computing through formalization and publication in scientific literature. 

Communication skills are assessed at the University, College, and Department levels through oral and written presentations, exams, projects, laboratory assessment and other assignments throughout the curriculum. 

Critical Thinking Skills 

Graduates will be able to: 

1. Develop the capacity for critical thinking to create new innovative solutions to previously unsolved types of problems.  

1. Develop the capacity for critical thinking to create new and innovative theory and associated tools with application in the solution of new and emerging types of problems.  

Critical thinking skills are assessed at the University, College, and Departmental levels through oral and written presentations, exams, projects, laboratory assessment, and other assignments throughout the curriculum. 

Information on tuition, fees and estimated total cost of attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar website.

Scholarships and Tuition Waivers

Scholarships and tuition waivers are available to degree-seeking graduate students and can be used for books, tuition, or other expenses. See the tuition support page on the Office of Graduate Studies website for more information.

Financial Aid

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid website for information about grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students (those enrolled in 9 or more credit hours per semester). Graduate assistantships are competitive and based on a candidate's academic record and relevant experience rather than financial need. Assistants work 20 hours per week for the university teaching and/or conducting directed research. To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, you must: 

• Meet the admission requirements for the M.S. in Computer Science
• Be a new applicant to the M.S. in Computer Science
• Not be employed outside of the University during the assistantship award period

Application Process: In the Statement of Objectives you submit as part of your online application to the program, please indicate that you would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship. Include a brief explanation of your academic and research interests.