DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Course Descriptions

The department of Computer Science offers three different Masters degree programs: Computer and Information Science, Digital Forensics, and Information Assurance and Security.  Each program is a Master of Science program. These programs prepare students for professional employment or further study at the doctoral level.

The Computer and Information Science curriculum utilizes state-of-the-art software, software development methodologies, project management techniques, and hardware. Emphasis is placed on preparing students for an environment where change is the norm. Computer and Information Science may be selected as the major for the Master of Science degree.  Computer and Information Science may also be selected as a minor for MS and MA degrees in related areas.

The Digital Forensics curriculum prepares students for service in a variety of public and commercial arenas as digital forensics or network security professionals. In particular, graduates from the Digital Forensics program will be able to effectively plan, establish and administer security and information assurance systems in commercial settings and in law enforcement. The Digital Forensics program utilizes state of the art facilities through the Sam Houston State University Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics, a federally funded training and research facility. These facilities include a Network Security Lab, accommodating training in data and network security as well as cyber security intrusion detection, prevention and tracing, and a Data Recovery Lab that will provide training in the identification, recovery, and preservation of data for legal purposes.

The Information Assurance and Security curriculum prepares students for professional careers in commercial, industrial and governmental Information Assurance.  Graduates from the program will utilize knowledge and methods to insure the protection of corporate information resources.  Graduates will be able to effectively harden and secure network systems, prevent network damage, perform risk assessment and plan for disaster recovery.  

Research areas in the three programs include software engineering, computer networks and data communication, multimedia systems, programming languages, artificial intelligence, neural networks, statistical pattern recognition, machine learning, parallel processing, real time systems, database and database security, network security, data and information security, digital forensics, data mining, bioinformatics, pervasive computing, and biometrics. In addition, the applications of new techniques to practical problems in the real world are emphasized. The quality of Computer Science graduates is widely recognized by industry. Graduates are employed within the state of Texas, the United States, and many foreign countries.

All the three programs reflect a diverse student body with applicants from Texas, the United States, and a host of foreign countries. SHSU Computer Science graduates have been employed by IBM, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Texas Instruments, and internet and communication companies. Many graduates also find positions in energy related fields. Firms employing SHSU graduates include major oil, transportation/distribution, and waste disposal companies.

In addition the computer Science Department offers Graduate Certificate programs in:

Each certificate program consists of 15 hours of graduate coursework targeted to professional needs.

The Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation provides students with a concentration of expertise to conduct digital investigations using a wide array specialized tools and knowledge.  Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science, Criminal Justice or Information Systems or related field would be suitable candidates for this program.

The Graduate Certificate in Data Assurance provides students with concentrated and in-depth exposure to the management, mining and security concerns of enterprise database administrators enhancing their professional capability and employability.  Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems or a related field would be suitable candidates for this program.

The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security provides students with concentrated and in-depth exposure to critical infrastructure security concerns to enhance professional capability.  Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science or a related field would be suitable candidates for this program.

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology provides students with the necessary tools to critically analyze technology for classroom use and to apply technology to the curriculum in a coherent and intelligent manner.  Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree in Education, or a baccalaureate degree in a technology related field with certification to teach would be suitable candidates for this program.

Additional information concerning the Department of Computer Science and its graduate program offerings can be found at http://cs.shsu.edu. For further information concerning the digital forensics program and continuing education opportunities visit http://df.shsu.edu.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Computer Science must submit the Graduate Studies Application for Admission with the one-time application fee to the Office of Graduate Studies, and official transcripts of all college-level work (including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred). In addition the following are required:

A holistic review of each student's application file will be completed upon a competitive basis. Students applying for Certificate Programs in Enterprise Data Assurance, Forensic Investigation, Cyber Security, or Education Technology need not provide the a GRE score for admission.

 

A. COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Graduate study in Computer and Information Science is accessible both to students who have completed undergraduate Computer Science majors or minors and to those with baccalaureate degrees in related fields with the equivalent of a Computer Science minor in formal coursework or professional experience. As a minimum, candidates are expected to present a background comparable to that provided in CS 146, 147, 334, 362, 431, 482, MTH 299, and MTH 379 as described in the undergraduate catalog of Sam Houston State University. Applicants with less preparation will be required to complete additional stem work as part of the graduate program. This requirement covers the stem work courses that are taken at Sam Houston State University as well.

 

Degree Plans

There is a thesis and non-thesis option available for a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. The graduate advisor will review each applicant's background and assist in developing individual study plans including any required stem work. The selection of a minor and the choice of electives must be approved by the Computer Science Department Chair to ensure the student's plan is a properly balanced program.

Master of Science, 36 hours without thesis and 39 hours with thesis.

Common Requirements:

1. An 18-hour core consisting of
          CS 531 Operating Systems
          CS 536 Software Engineering
          CS 563 Networks and Data Communications
          CS 564 Programming Languages
          CS 566 Database Systems
          CS 574 Data Structures
    2.   An oral examination over core courses
    3.   15 semester hours of approved Computer and Information Science elective courses
    4.   One of the following:
          A.  Non-thesis: CS 561 (a practicum project, and oral presentation of the project)
          B.   Thesis: CS 698 and CS 699 (research and thesis)

Master of Science, 24 (27 with thesis) hours in CIS major, 12 hours in a minor
The students may choose to have a minor in a field approved by the Chair of the Computer Science Department.  However, the minor may only be chosen if the student’s plan of study provides for a minimum of 48 semester hours (total graduate and undergraduate) in Computer Science or the student has extensive professional experience in Computer Science.
Common Requirements:
    1.   An 18-hour core consisting of
          CS 531 Operating Systems
          CS 536 Software Engineering
          CS 563 Networks and Data Communications
          CS 564 Programming Languages
          CS 566 Database Systems
          CS 574 Data Structures
    2.   An oral examination over core courses
    3.   3 semester hours of approved Computer and Information Science elective course
    4.   12 semester hours of the approved minor field courses
    5.   One of the following:
          A.  Non-thesis: CS 561 (a practicum project, and oral presentation of the project)
          B.   Thesis: CS 698 and CS 699 (research and thesis)

Elective Courses
        CS 532 Parallel Computing
        CS 533 Microcomputer Interfacing
        CS 534 Operating System Security
        CS 537 Database Security
        CS 538 Computer Graphics
        CS 544 Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
        CS 560 Special Topics
        CS 562 Computer Architecture and Organization
        CS 568 Cryptography and Steganography
        CS 572 Artificial Intelligence
        CS 573 Neural Networks
        DF 561 Network Security I
        CS 661 Network Security II
        CS 694 Numerical Analysis

Additional Requirements:

The degree program may include a 12-semester hour minor in a field approved by the Chair of the Computer Science Department, or 12 additional semester hours of approved Computer Science courses. The 12-semester hour minor in an approved field may only be chosen if the student’s plan of study provides for a minimum of 48 semester hours (total graduate and undergraduate) in Computer Science or the student has extensive professional experience in Computer Science.

Other Scholarly Requirements

A committee advisor is assigned to each student at the time the student registered for either CS 561 (programming practicum) or CS 698 (thesis). Committee appointments are made by the Chair of the Computer Science Department based upon recommendation from the Computer Science Graduate Advisor. The advisory committee consists of graduate faculty from the Computer Science Department and, where applicable, one from the minor area. Students are required to complete a written comprehensive examination prior to registering for CS 561 Programming Practicum or CS 698 Thesis.  Students may be also be required to supplement their written responses in an oral examination.  Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations. Once enrolled in CS 561 Programming Practicum or CS 698/699 Thesis a student must be continually enrolled in each major semester until graduation.

Senior Courses Open to Graduate Students
(with the approval of the Graduate Advisor)
CS       430    Language Translators
CS       431    Computer Operating Systems
CS       437    Software Engineering
CS       470    Special Topics
CS       482    Programming Languages

A maximum of six hours of 400-level courses may be taken toward the completion of the master’s degree in

Computer and Information Science. Course requirements in 400-level courses will be appropriately modified for graduate credit.

B. DIGITAL FORENSICS

Graduate study in Digital Forensics is accessible both to students who have completed undergraduate Computer Science or Criminal Justice majors or minors and to those with baccalaureate degrees in technical fields with the equivalent of a Computer Science or Criminal Justice minor in formal course work or professional experience. Applicants who do not possess the appropriate academic, technical or experiential backgrounds may be required to take stem work courses to ensure a minimum standard of technical competence. Stem work decisions are made on an individual basis by the department chair .

Degree Plan

The Master of Science in Digital Forensics Program has a total of 36 semester credit hours. There is an internship and non-internship option available for a Master of Science degree in Digital Forensics. Selection of the non-internship option will require completion of an additional elective course in Computer and Information Science, Digital Forensics or Information Assurance.

Master of Science, 36 hours.
Common Requirements:
1.  A 15 hour core consisting of
    DF 534 Digital Security
    DF 561 Network Security I
    DF 583 Digital Forensics Investigation
    DF 584 Software Forensics Evidence Management
    DF 630 Cyber Law
2.  15 semester hours of approved Digital Forensics elective courses.
3.  Completion of DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project or Thesis
4.  One of the following:
                A.  DF 670 Internship
                B.  An additional approved Digital Forensics elective course.

Elective Courses
        DF 531 Principle and Policy in Information Assurance
        DF 535 Malware
        DF 560 Special Topics
        DF 587 File Systems Forensics
        DF 589 Disaster Recovery
        DF 661 Cyber Warfare and Terrorism
        CS 534 Operating System Security
        CS 537 Database Security
        CS 568 Cryptography and Steganography
        CS 661 Network Security II

Other Scholarly Requirements

A committee advisor is assigned to each student at the time the student registered for DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project.  Committee appointments are made by the Chair of the Computer Science Department based upon recommendation from the Computer Science Graduate Advisor. The advisory committee consists of graduate faculty from the Computer Science Department. Students are required to complete a written comprehensive examination prior to registering for DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project.  Students may be also be required to supplement their written responses in an oral examination.  Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations. Once enrolled in DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project, a student must be continually enrolled in each major semester until graduation.

 

C. INFORMATION ASSURANCE AND SECURITY

Graduate study in Information Assurance and Security is accessible both to students who have completed undergraduate Computer Science or Management Information Science majors or minors and to those with baccalaureate degrees in technical fields with the equivalent of a Computer Science or Management Information Science minor in formal coursework or professional experience. Applicants who do not possess the appropriate academic, technical or experiential backgrounds may be required to take stem work courses to ensure a minimum standard of technical competence. Stem work decisions are made on an individual basis by the department chair.

 

Degree Plan

The Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security program has a total of 36 semester credit hours. There is an internship and non-internship option available for a Master of Science degree in Information Assurance and Security.  Selection of the non-internship option will require completion of an additional elective course in Computer Science, Digital Forensics or Information Assurance.

 

Master of Science, 36 hours.

Common Requirements:

1.  A 15 hour core consisting of

    CS 534 Operating System Security

    CS 537 Database Security

    DF 564 Organizational System Security

    DF 566 Risk Assessment and Financial System Investigation

    DF 589 Disaster Recovery

2.  15 semester hours of approved Information Assurance and Security elective courses.

3.  Completion of DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project or Thesis

4.  One of the following:

                  A.  DF 670 Internship

                  B.  An additional approved Information Assurance and Security elective course.

 

 

Elective Courses

        DF 531 Principle and Policy in Information Assurance

        DF 535 Malware

        DF 561 Network Security I

        DF 587 File Systems Forensics

        DF 630 Cyber Law

        DF 661 Cyber Warfare and Terrorism

        CS 568 Cryptography and Steganography

        CS 661 Network Security II

 

Other Scholarly Requirements

A committee advisor is assigned to each student at the time the student registered for DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project.  Committee appointments are made by the Chair of the Computer Science Department based upon recommendation from the Computer Science Graduate Advisor. The advisory committee consists of graduate faculty from the Computer Science Department. Students are required to complete a written comprehensive examination prior to registering for DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project.  Students may be also be required to supplement their written responses in an oral examination.  Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations. Once enrolled in DF 637 Directed Management and Development Project, a student must be continually enrolled in each major semester until graduation.

D. GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation

The program will require students to complete 15 hours of graduate courses offered by the Department of Computer Science.  

 

DF 583 Digital Forensics Investigation

DF 584 Software Forensic Evidence Management

DF 534 Digital Security

DF 587 File Systems Forensics

DF 639Cyberlaw

Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Data Assurance

The program will require students to complete 15 hours of graduate courses offered by the Department of Computer Science.  

DF 531 Principle and Policy in Information Assurance 

CS 566 Databases

CS 544 Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery

CS 537 Database Security

And one of the following:

DF 566 Risk Assessment and Financial Systems Investigation

DF 589 Disaster Recovery

Enterprise Virtualization (proposed new course)

Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

 

The program will require students to complete 15 hours of graduate courses offered by the Department of Computer Science. 

DF 561 Network Security I

CS 535 Malware

CS 568 Cryptography and Steganography

DF 661 Cyber Warfare and Terrorism

And one elective course from:

CS 661 Network Security II

DF 589 Disaster Recovery

DF 630 Cyber Law

 Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology

The program will require students to complete 15 hours of graduate courses offered by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.  

CTE 583 Educational Multimedia

CTE 585 Critical Analysis of Instructional Software

CTE 587 Designing Instructional Materials for the Web

CI 583 Integrating Current Technology in Teaching

CI 565 Technology and Cognition

 

 

Course Descriptions: