Degree Program | # of Areas | Areas |
---|---|---|
MS-CIS | 3 | Data Structures and Algorithms, one area from the Systems category, and one area from the Software category |
MS-CS | 4 | one area from each of the four categories |
PhD | 8 | two areas from each of the four categories |
The four categories are Theory, Systems, Software, and Applied Software as shown in the table below. The materials covered by an area roughly correspond to the indicated course and are described in study guides (click on the areas in the table). Students should follow the study guides in preparation for the exams.
Area | Course number (New/Old) | |
---|---|---|
Data Structures and Alogrithms (MS-CIS only) | 5100/5020 | |
Theory Category | ||
Analysis of Algorithms | 5210/5081 | |
Formal Languages and Automata | 5211/5083 | |
Discrete Mathematics | MTH 5051 | |
Systems Category | ||
Computer Architecture | 5220/5030 | |
Operating Systems | 5230/5045 | |
Computer Networks | 5231/5145 or ECE 5534 | |
Software Category | ||
Programming Languages | 5250/5040 | |
Compilers | 5251/5120 | |
Software Engineering | 5270/5035 | |
Applied Software Category | ||
Database Systems | 5260/5025 | |
Computer Graphics | 5280/5255 | |
Artificial Intelligence | 5290/5371 |
The exam is offered every regular semester. Each exam in an area lasts an hour. The exams can be retaken in accordance with Graduate School Policy.