Computer science

Applicants for the M.S. in computer science must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements: 

• Education level: Bachelor's
• GPA: 3.0
• GRE: No
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
• Number of references: Three
• Prerequisites: To enter the Computer Science master's program, competence in the following areas must be demonstrated:
  • knowledge of a structured, high-level language (CS120)
  • algorithms and data structures (CS121)
  • a full year of calculus
• If prerequisite requirements are met, a student who does not have an adequate coursework background in computer science may be admitted with deficiencies in:
  • computer organization and architecture (CS150)
  • computer languages (CS210)
  • computer operating systems (CS240)
  • software engineering (CS383)
  • analysis of algorithms (CS395)
  • or theory of computation (CS385)
• Other requirements: Statement of purpose (SOP)
  • In the SOP, include a paragraph detailing at most three possible topic areas you would like to do your M.S. on and identify at most three faculty members in order of preference whom you would like to choose as your possible major professor. To increase your chances of a proper match with the proposed faculty members, visit their web pages, and propose a research problem you would like to tackle with your proposed major professor(s). 

Program availability:  

Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis

Semester intake: Fall and Spring

• Eligible for 4+1 admission
• Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
• Eligible for WRGP award
• Eligible for international admission  

Deadlines: General application deadlines

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

Computer Science contact: 
Hasan Jamil, jamil@uidaho.edu

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001

Find Department of Computer Science faculty advisors

Faculty provide funding through a variety of external agencies and industry partners. Contact our faculty to learn more about these funding opportunities or explore graduate fellowship programs.

To learn how you can fund your graduate degree, check out the Graduate Funding page.

Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about the cost of attendance. 

This program could be a good fit if you:

• Have a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science
• Want to conduct research in the field
• Like to solve complicated puzzles
• Have a strong work ethic
• Work well independently and as part of a team 

Degree roadmap 

A thesis is required for the M.S. computer science degree. A non-thesis M.S. in computer science option is available.

• This program may also be completed part-time or online through Engineering Outreach.
• Depending on your interests, your faculty adviser will help you develop a focused plan of study.
• Areas of emphasis include digital hardware design, digital systems design, computer systems and other related areas.
• Graduates demonstrate:
  • An in-depth knowledge of the degree subject matter, integrating and building upon the foundation provided by a relevant undergraduate degree;
  • The ability to use the results of applied research and other existing information to necessary to either carry an engineering project from the conceptual through the design and production phases or perform advanced laboratory or computer simulation studies and appropriately and accurately analyze and interpret results;
  • The ability to communicate professional work in an appropriate format; and
  • An understanding of their responsibility to enhance the quality of life of the global community through the practice of engineering in accordance with the IEEE Code of Ethics.
     

Related clubs and organizations

Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.

Learn about clubs related to your major:

• Cyber Defense Club
• CyberForce Competition Team
• Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
• Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
• Polymorphic Games Studio
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Robotics Club
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Vandal Motorsports (SAE-Baja Competition)