Degree Requirements

Course and GPA requirements

All Master’s students must satisfy core and elective course requirements. The course requirement varies for each Master’s degree program. Transferring any core course from outside of CISE to satisfy any course requirement must be approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee (see “Establishing Equivalencies for Core Courses” below).

According to Graduate School rules, students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA, as well as a cumulative 3.0 GPA for all courses taken from CISE, to graduate.

The only passing grades for graduate students are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and S.

The Computer and Information and Engineering department does not allow graduate students to take undergraduate courses (3000-4999).

Courses numbered 5000 and above are limited to graduate students, with the exception described under Undergraduate Registration in Graduate Courses. Courses numbered 7000 and above are normally for advanced graduate students.

Courses numbered 7979 and 7980 are not eligible to count toward a master-level degree program.

Master’s students may choose between the thesis and the non-thesis options. The total credit hours required for either option are 30. Up to 9 credits earned from another accredited institution may be transferred and must be applied during the first term of enrollment. For the thesis option, 6 credits of CIS 6971 are required and counted towards the 30-credit requirement. The student should choose one option when the supervisory committee is formed, and any subsequent change in option is subject to approval by the supervisory committee. The Graduate School requires that any change in option be completed at least one full semester prior to the intended date of graduation. (Note that once a student has taken the master’s examination or has attempted a thesis defense, the option cannot be changed.)

Enrollment requirements

• Maximum semesterly enrollment: Students are limited to an upper limit of nine (9) hours and cannot exceed it. A one-time exception up to 12 credits may be considered only if it allows graduation that term; it will not be considered for any other term. To request the 12-credit exception, email GAdvisors@cise.ufl.edu with your reason. Decisions are based on your academic record and justification. Approval is not guaranteed.
• Minimum semesterly enrollment: Enrolled students must register for at least three (3) credit hours per semester. This applies in all terms, including the final term, even if fewer than three (3) credits are needed to reach the 30-credit graduation requirement. No exceptions.
• International students have additional requirements for their enrollment. Please refer to UFIC’s requirements. International students with questions about enrollment requirements, including online class restrictions, will need to speak with their UFIC advisor for further clarification.

Academic probation

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward degree completion. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA will result in a student being placed on academic probation. Students on probation cannot hold assistantships or fellowships and must resolve their GPA deficit within two semesters. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the degree program.

Consult the UF CISE Policy on Unsatisfactory Progress or Unsatisfactory Scholarship for further details.

Course and credit requirements

M.S. in Computer Engineering

M.E. in Computer Engineering

M.S. in Computer Science

Masters Minor

To obtain a Master’s minor, a non-CISE student earning a Master’s in another department must complete one systems area graduate core course, one theory area graduate core course, and one elective graduate course, each with a grade of B or better. In addition, the Graduate Coordinator will serve as a minor representative on a Master’s committee of the major department. See information sheet.

Establishing equivalencies for core courses

If you believe that you have taken a course, including undergraduate coursework that is equivalent to a graduate-level core course in our department, you will need to:

• Obtain a copy of your complete final transcript from your prior institution.
• Prepare a copy of the course syllabus and catalog description of the equivalent course as well as any supporting material such as exams, projects, and homework.
• Bring these items and a completed Equivalency Form to the instructor who teaches the core course for an equivalency decision.
• Email the completed form to Adrienne L. Cook at alcook@ufl.edu.

Note: The equivalency process differs from the process of either transferring your degree or transferring credits toward your degree. The transfer of credit process may be initiated with the graduate academic advisor after the third week of classes.

Transfer of credit

Only graduate-level courses, earned with a grade of B or better (a B- does not count), may be transferred from an institution approved for this purpose by the Graduate School. Transfer of credit may be considered from course work taken while holding a classification level of 0 (non-degree seeking), 6 (postbaccalaureate), 7, 8, or 9 . Transfer course work must be taken within the 7 years immediately preceding the date the degree is to be awarded for non-doctoral degrees. Courses with “P” or “S” grading cannot be transferred. Masters See the “Transfer of credit” subheading under “Requirements for Master’s Degrees” and then “General Regulations for Master’s Degrees” at https://gradcatalog.ufl.edu/graduate/degrees