Integrated B.S./M.S. Degree in Computer Science
The Computer Science program offers a limited number of academically superior Bachelor of Science candidates the opportunity to enroll in an integrated, continuous program of study leading to both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science in Computer Science. The ability to coordinate as well as concurrently pursue the two degree programs enables the student to earn the two degrees in five years.
Degree Requirements
Students in the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) program must satisfy the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Science in Computer Science. However, the total course load is reduced because of the maximum of 12 credits that can count towards both degrees. A minimum of 6 credits proposed to count for both degrees must be at the 500 level. Thesis credits may not be double counted. The first two years of the IUG program are identical to the first two years of the B.S. degree program. The third and fourth years of the IUG program differ from those of the B.S. degree program because of the courses that count toward the M.S. degree requirements. Student performance will be monitored on an on-going basis.
Senior Year Review
A formal evaluation of student academic performance will be performed when the student has completed 100 to 105 credits, which is at the end of the first semester of the senior year for a typical student in the program. Students who have not maintained a 3.5 GPA in their math and computer science courses will be put on probationary status with respect to the IUG program. Their ability to continue in the IUG program will be based on their academic performance in the last semester of their senior year. As part of the review in the senior year, students will be advised about the paper option and thesis option in the graduate program. Students intending to pursue the thesis option would be advised to do so only if they have been doing very well in the program and are in no danger of not being able to continue into the fifth year.
Tuition Rates
Students have the choice of receiving the B.S. degree at the end of the fourth year or waiting until the end of the fifth year to receive both degrees. Students who elect to receive the B.S. degree at the end of the fourth year will pay graduate tuition for courses taken in the fifth year; students opting to receive both degrees at the end of the fifth year will pay undergraduate tuition for all five years. Note that students who are awarded a graduate assistantship must elect to receive the B.S. degree at the end of the fourth year.
If for any reason a student admitted to the IUG program is unable to complete the requirements for the M.S. degree, the student will be permitted to receive the B.S. degree assuming all the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfactorily completed. Students who successfully complete the courses listed in the recommended schedule will satisfy the requirements for the B.S. degree by the end of their fourth year.