Academics - [ Graduate Studies - About Graduate Studies ]
- Why get an Graduate Degree in Computer Science and Engineering?
- What Graduate Degrees are Offered?
- Can I earn a computer-science degree via the Web?
- Is Financial aid available?
- Is the Research interesting?
- After Graduation?
Why get a Graduate degree in computer science at Mississippi State University?
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers high quality graduate education in computer science.
- The curriculum is flexible to match your interests.
- Research is pursued in some traditional areas of computer science, cross-specialty areas, and interdisciplinary projects.
- Graduates are hired by quality employers.
What Graduate degrees are offered?
Available degree programs:
- Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Computer Science
- Thesis option. - You will perform scholarly research in the field of computer science.
- Project option. - Your project for academic credit will simulate a professional experience in computer science.
- Courses-only option. - You will expand your knowledge of computer science.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Computer Science. - You will contribute significant scholarly research to the field of computer science.
Direct Ph.D. program is available. Students with a bachelor degree may be admitted to the Ph.D. program, as well as those who have already earned an M.S. degree.
Flexible coursework requirements. You can concentrate in traditional computer science areas, cross-specialty areas, or interdisciplinary areas in a coherent program of study.
Software engineering is available. You can have a program of study that is competitive with a degree in Software Engineering at other universities.
How many students are there? There are typically about 25 Ph.D. students and about 50 M.S. students in the computer science graduate programs at any one time.
Details for the degree guidelines:
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering participates in the graduate programs administered in other departments.
- M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Ph.D. in Computational Engineering, an interdisciplinary program administered through the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, which is a research center on campus
Can I earn a computer-science degree via the Web?
Both the M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science degrees are considered "on-campus" degrees, and therefore they are not available via the Web.
The Bagley College of Engineering offers a Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree via the Web (distance learning). It is an interdisciplinary degree.
Is Financial aid available?
What is an assistantship? Graduate research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA) are part-time jobs that pay a stipend (salary) and about 71% of the tuition and fees for full-time enrollment. In our Department, stipends vary from $1,200 to $1,500 per month according to qualifications and available funds. Expenses are summarized at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/admissions/fees.php. Details about in-state and out-of-state tuition, fees, and related rules are explained in detail at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/grad/Bulletin-fees.htm.
Hiring of assistants is decentralized.
- The Department Head hires the graduate teaching assistants each semester based upon the needs of the department.
- Faculty members hire their own graduate research assistants based on their needs and availability of funds.
- Many computer science graduate students are hired by other departments on-campus where their knowledge and skills are needed. Each department has its own hiring process.
About 80% of the Master’s students and almost all doctoral students are employed as graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants, or other professional positions on-campus or off-campus. Some of these students receive assistantship offers prior to arriving on campus, while others receive offers after in-person interviews.
What scholarships and fellowships are available?
- Information security scholarships (CyberCorps) are sponsored by the United States government for citizens who want a career as computer security/information assurance professionals employed by the government. One year of government service is required for each year of scholarship. Information security scholarships are available for M.S. degrees only.
- Bagley College of Engineering fellowships. All qualified admitted students are automatically considered for these fellowships.
- Barrier Fellowships provide full support, and are limited to citizens and permanent residents ("green card").
- Bagley Fellowships provide supplements to assistantships, and are limited to citizens and permanent residents ("green card").
- Herrin Fellowships provide partial support during the first year only.
Other fellowships? Some doctoral students in our department have received three-year fellowships from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The SREB Doctoral Scholars Program intends to increase the number of minority faculty in a 16-state region spanning from Texas to Delaware by providing support for minorities to pursue doctoral degrees. Applications should be sent directly to SREB.
Graduate Assistantships, Scholarships, Fellowships
Is the Research interesting?
Research topics? The Department of Computer Science and Engineering has the following research focus areas.
- Artificial Intelligence
- High-Performance Computing
- Computer Security and Computer Forensics
- Software Engineering
- Visualization and Graphics
Faculty, research assistants (RA), thesis students, and dissertation students participate in a wide variety of research projects. Many research projects are multi-disciplinary or multi-specialty in nature.
Collaborators? Some research projects are in conjunction with MSU research centers, such as the following.
- Center for Computer Security Research (CCSR)
- High Performance Computing Collaboratory (HPC2) consisting of the following.
- Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS)
- Center for Computational Sciences (CCS)
- Center for DoD Programming Environment and Training (PET)
- Computational Simulation and Design Center (SimCenter)
- GeoResources Institute (GRI)
- Institute for Digital Biology (IDB)
- Institute for Neurocognitive Science and Technology (INST)
Computer science researchers are also actively working with scientists at other universities and in industry. Graduate students are actively involved in the research of the department.
Who sponsors the research? Research projects are funded by government agencies such as the following.
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- US Department of Energy (DOE)
- US Department of Justice (DOJ)
- US Department of Defense (DoD)
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Office of Naval Research (ONR)
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
After graduation?
After earning an M.S. degree, some students choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree, either at MSU or elsewhere.
Recent graduates have gone to work for employers such as the following.
- Ph.D. graduates
- Microsoft Research
- Palo Alto Research Center
- Verari Systems Software
- Fairmont State University
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Tennesee Tech University
- M.S. graduates
- Microsoft
- Federal Express
- Harris
- Southern Company
- NASA and its contractors
- US Department of Defense
- US Air Force, 96th Communications Group
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center
- US Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Command
- Other companies and government agencies
