Graduate Program

On Monday December 20 of 2021 the Computer Science Department received the great news of the approval from the “Junta de Instituciones Posts secundarias” to the graduate program in Computer Science.

The programs approved are:

    • Master of Science (M.S.) with a Specialty in Computer Science – we will be accepting applications for August 2023 (go to Apply Yourself).

The deadline is 20 of March of 2023.

  • Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a Specialty in Computer Science. – expected to begin in August 2024.

If you are interested in applying for the Computer Science master’s degree for August 2023, go to Apply Yourself and complete the application (Computer Science is at the bottom of the list).

Requirements for the Master Program

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a bachelor degree and the equivalent of the Data Structures (CCOM3034) and Algorithms (CCOM5050) courses.
    • Students without the skills provided by the Algorithms course can be given a conditional admission so that they can complete that requirement during their first semester (International students are not eligible for conditional admission. Additionally, students who are conditionally admitted do not qualify for institutional graduate assistantships).
  • A minimum general grade point average of 3.00 (on a scale of 0-4).
  • Adequate knowledge of Spanish and English in both written and oral form.

 

Documents Required for the Application for Admission

  • Application for Admission to Graduate Studies in electronic format through Apply Yourself.
  • Two official copies of their most recent academic transcript.
  • At least two letters of recommendation (preferably three).
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Participate in an interview, if required by the Graduate Affairs Committee.

 

Educational Philosophy

Computer science encompasses rapidly changing technologies; however, it is based on essential concepts, perspectives and methodologies that are constant. Therefore, much of the body of basic knowledge remains unchanged and the students must be aware of these fundamentals. However, the constant development in computer science and in education mean that some aspects of the core evolve, and some of the previous structures and organizations may not be appropriate to describe the discipline.

Curriculum

 

Curricular Sequence

Recommended curricular sequence for Full-time students – 30 credits

First Year First Semester First Year Second Semester
CCOM 6029 High Level Languages 3 crd CCOM 6050 Algorithms 3 crd
CCOM elective course 3 crd CCOM elective course 3 crd
CCOM 6XXX Systems course 3 crd Free elective 3 crd
Second Year First Semester Second Year Second Semester
CCOM 6035 Development of Applications with Social Impact 3 crd CCOM 6XXX Thesis or project 3 crd
Free elective 3 crd
Free elective 3 crd

 

Recommended curricular sequence for Part-time students – 30 credits

First Year First Semester First Year Second Semester
CCOM 6029 High Level Languages 3 crd CCOM 6050 Algorithms 3 crd
CCOM elective course 3 crd CCOM elective course 3 crd
Second Year First Semester Second Year Second Semester
CCOM 6XXX Systems course 3 crd Free elective 3 crd
CCOM 6035 Development of Applications with Social Impact 3 crd Free elective 3 crd
Third Year First Semester Third Year Second Semester
CCOM 6XXX Thesis or project 1 crd CCOM 6XXX Thesis or project 2 crd
Free elective 3 crd

 

Vision

The graduate program in computer science will be a highly dynamic and diverse educational and research-intensive environment that will become the primary source of computer science professionals in the Caribbean and a major source in Latin America.

Mission

The graduate program in computer science provides an excellent theoretical as well as practical educational and research experience that allow graduates to be leaders in all endeavors of science and technology.

Goals

  1. To provide advanced knowledge in computer science that develops graduates with strong foundations that allow them to become leaders that can adapt to the ever-changing nature of the area. 
  2. To provide practical experiences related to computer science that allow graduates to participate in as well as to create projects that promote the economic development. 
  3. To provide a research-intensive environment that will prepare graduates to be internationally competitive in their field of research.
  4. To increase the contributions of the Department of Computer Science to the computer science community as well as to society.

 

Program Objectives

Graduating students will:

  1. Possess a solid theoretical foundation in Computer Science.
  2. Become productive researchers.
  3. Possess the necessary skills to become productive professionals in Computer Science.
  4. Become innovators in their selected career path.
  5. Become lifelong learners.
  6. Display leadership skills.
  7. Contribute to the computer science community as well as to society.

 

Graduate Profile

Graduates of this program will:

  1. Be able to easily navigate the ever-changing area of Computer Science based on their solid theoretical foundation and their lifelong-learning skills.
  2. Contribute to the computer science community as well as, to society, by sharing their work with a vast audience while promoting diversity in all aspects of their profession.
  3. Be capable of developing applications that have direct impact on the community and society following aspects of universal design.
  4. Present their work, of an expository nature related to the courses taken, at international conferences and develop projects that would solve a problem or a task for a specific target audience.
  5. Obtain and hold jobs in the technology industry or continue to a Ph.D. program.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the program online?
    • No, the program is face-to-face, but we intend to offer some hybrid and some online courses, but it will vary from semester to semester.
  • Is it a nightly program?
    • No, but we intend to offer some of the courses late in the afternoon so working students can take advantage of it.
  • I do not have the Algorithm Design and Analysis (CCOM5050) requirement but I do have the Data Structure (CCOM3034) requirement. What I can do?
    • In that case we can accept you on the condition that you take CCOM5050 in your first semester.
  • I do not have the Data Structure (CCOM3034) requirement nor the Algorithm Design and Analysis (CCOM5050) requirement. What I can do?
    • In that case, you can take a placement exam that we are preparing and will be offering in mid-April. The exam will consist of three parts, the first test a level equivalent to the course Introduction to Computer Science (CCOM3030), the second test a level equivalent to the course Introduction to Programming (CCOM3033) and the third test a level equivalent to the course Structure Data (CCOM3034). If you pass the three parts we can accept you on the condition that you take CCOM5050 in your first semester.
  • What are the costs?
  • Is there any financial aid?
    • There are some teaching assistant positions that are shared among all graduate programs. It is important that when you apply you specify that you want to compete for an assistantship. When all applications are received, the available assistantships are divided among the programs.
    • There are other opportunities through the DEGI – Asistencia Económica
    • There are some research assistantships based on research projects but for that you have to contact the professors that lead the projects.
    • You can apply to scholarships or fellowships to pay for your studies. More information on ccom.uprrp.edu/~pordonez/NSFworkshop

 

More Information

Here is a link to the graduate proposal so you can get familiarized with the structure of the programs: Graduate proposal.

Stay tuned to this page and our social networks – https://www.facebook.com/ccom.uprrp!

Follow the link, Certificaciones Junta Instituciones Post secundarias, to see the certifications of approval.

For help or questions please contact: ccom-graduate-news@upr.edu

Here is a link to a presentation which includes more information about our professors and their research.

Graduate Program Coordinator
Carlos J. Corrada Bravo carlos.corrada2@upr.edu

Graduate Committee
Marie Lluberes marie.lluberes@upr.edu
Edusmildo Orozco edusmildo.orozco1@upr.edu
Humberto Ortiz humberto.ortiz@upr.edu
Ivelisse Rubio ivelisse.rubio@upr.edu