Information Technology (MS)
The Master of Science (MS) in Information Technology prepares students for positions in industry and education, enhances skills for the practicing professionals, and supplies a foundation for study at the doctoral level. Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field may enter the program. The program provides a broad foundation of study in information technology, as well as offering in-depth study in the areas of algorithms, databases, data mining and warehousing, information retrieval, networks, multimedia, interactive systems, cyber security, data science, and software engineering. A core of information technology courses is required, together with additional prescribed elective courses.
Background Requirements
Students pursuing the MS in Information Technology who enter the program with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than computer science typically need to complete graduate level foundation courses (e.g., CYBI 6302, CYBI 6303, CYBI 6305, and CYBI 6307) and possibly undergraduate courses in preparation for advanced coursework in information technology. Any student accepted to the MS in Information Technology Program must fulfill the background requirement A or B:
A. The student must have earned an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a related area; or have completed sufficient Computer Science courses prior to admission.
B. If Requirement A is not met, then the student must meet the following course requirements after admission.
CYBI 6302
CYBI 6305
Background requirements can be partially fulfilled with working experience related to CS/IT.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in information technology, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a bachelor’s degree in another field and courses and/or experience that prepare the applicant for graduate work in Computer Science or Information Technology.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Letter of Intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Resume.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Leveling
Students may be required to complete the following courses.
Leveling Courses
| CYBI 6302 | Foundations of Software and Programming Systems | 3 |
| CYBI 6305 | Foundations of Algorithms and Programming Languages | 3 |
Program Requirements
Students complete 30 semester hours, including 12 semester hours of required computer science lecture courses with a grade B or higher, and 18 semester hours of prescribed elective courses. A final written examination is required.
Required Courses - 12 Hours
| CYBI 6303 | Principles of Information Technology Systems | 3 |
| CYBI 6314 | E-Commerce Systems and Implementation | 3 |
| CYBI 6315 | Applied Database Systems | 3 |
| Or | |
| CSCI 6333 | Advanced Database Design and Implementation | 3 |
| CSCI 6345 | Advanced Computer Networks | 3 |
Designated Electives - 18 Hours
For CSCI 6370, a maximum of six credit hours on different topics can be counted as electives.
Capstone Requirement
Written Comprehensive Exam
Total Credit Hours: 30