The request to revise Graduate Certificate in Advanced Databases and Knowledge Discovery

Date: March 11, 2016
To: College of Computing & Informatics
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: March 11, 2016
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2016

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

Advanced Databases and Knowledge Discovery, Graduate Certificate

Purpose

The purpose of the certificate is to provide graduate students with the opportunity to reach a demonstrated level of competence in the area of databases and knowledge discovery. Course-work towards the certificate in ADKD can be used for credit towards the M.S. degree in Computer Science. However, its primary purpose is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern databases and knowledge discovery techniques but do not necessarily wish to complete all requirements for the M.S. degree in Computer Science. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs at UNC Charlotte.

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Databases and Knowledge Discovery provides graduate students with the opportunity to reach a demonstrated level of competence in the areas of databases and knowledge discovery. Coursework towards this graduate certificate can be used for credit towards the M.S. in Computer Science degree. However, its primary objective is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern databases and knowledge discovery techniques, but do not necessarily wish to complete all requirements for the M.S. in Computer Science. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs at UNC Charlotte.

Additional Admission Requirements

This certificate program is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific, engineering, or business discipline and one of the following:

  1. Are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at UNC Charlotte
  2. Have a GPA above 2.8 overall and 3.0 Junior/Senior

Applicants are required to submit a brief (one-to-two page) statement of educational and work experience in the computing field. Application for the ADKD certificate program is made through the Office of Graduate Admissions. (Note: the admission process for the Certificate is separate from the admission process for the M.S. degree.)

The certificate in ADKD is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific, engineering or business discipline and either are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at UNC Charlotte or have GPA above 2.8 overall and 3.0 Jr/Sr.

In addition, the program requires a current working knowledge of two higher-level languages, including at least one procedural language; and a familiarity with computer applications. The following minimal background in mathematics is also required: two semesters of calculus and one semester of discrete structures. Individuals who have worked at a high professional level in the computer industry may be able to substitute work experience for specific subject area admission requirements.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate level courses (15 credits) in the area of knowledge discovery and databases.

  • ITCS 6150 – Intelligent Systems (3)
  • or ITCS 6114 – Algorithms and Data Structures (3)
  • ITCS 6160 – Database Systems (3)
  • or ITCS 6120 – Computer Graphics (3)
  • ITCS 6162 – Knowledge Discovery in Databases (3)
  • two additional courses

The certificate will be awarded upon completion of five graduate level courses (15 credits) in the area of knowledge discovery and databases. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be required and at most one course with a grade of C may be allowed towards the certificate.

To obtain the certificate a student needs to take the following three compulsory courses:

  • ITCS 6114 Algorithms and Data Structures or ITCS 6150 Intelligent Systems
  • 
ITCS 6160 Database Systems or ITIS 5160 Applied Databases
  • 
ITCS 6162 Knowledge Discovery in Databases

In addition a student needs to take any two courses from the list below:

  • ITCS 6155 Knowledge-Based Systems
  • ITCS 6156 Machine Learning
  • ITCS 6157 Visual Databases
  • ITCS 6161 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
  • ITCS 6163 Data Warehousing
  • ITCS 6190 Cloud Computing for Data Analysis
  • ITCS 6265 Advanced Topics in Knowledge Discovery in Databases
  • ITCS 6880 Individual Study (Approval Required)
  • IT IS 5510 Web Mining
  • IT IS 6220 Data Privacy
  • MBAD 6201 Business Intelligence and Analytics

Grade Requirements

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be allowed towards the certificate.