The masters degree program in computer science

Abstract

The Curriculum Committee on Computer Science (C3S) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is involved in a study of the masters degree curriculum. As visualized by the working group, such programs have two basic objectives:(a) Providing the student with training in Computer Science preparing him for major positions in the industry.(b) Testing and preparing the student for more advanced work leading to a doctorate.Though it is not the intention of the Committee to provide a guide to the formation of a graduate program in Computer Science, it is recognized that many new programs are being developed, and thus it is hoped that the final guidelines will serve as a standard on which the various programs can be measured. To this time efforts have been concentrated on programs directed to the above objectives. It should be recognized that the question of special masters programs such as those for teachers, are not now under consideration.The structure of the proposed program will be presented, as well as the underlying philosophy of the program. The proposal has been reviewed in several meetings of C3S, and by several departments now offering masters degrees in Computer Science.The comments and suggestions of the various Committee members and interested professionals will be summarized, and the program will be compared with existing masters degree programs.This presentation will be of a working document. One of the motivations for presentation of the proposal is to elicit further comments and suggestions from those attending the National Computer Conference.