Accelerated Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science
Students accepted into this selective program accomplish both the B.S. and M.S. degrees within five years by taking additional computer science courses within the first four years of the program. Some of these courses will replace general electives in the B.S. program.
Program administration and minimum requirements
In order to be accepted students must:
- Apply to the Computer Science Graduate Committee during the first semester after they have completed the last of the following sequence of classes: CMSC 101, 255, 256, 302, 303 and 311
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.4 based on CMSC 101, 255, 256, 302, 303 and 311; all grades in any repeated courses will be included in computing this GPA
- Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
Minimum requirements for accepted students to fulfill the program
Students accepted into the program are required to follow the curriculum outlined below in order to complete both degrees in five years.
In order to complete the B.S.:
- All specific general education and major requirements for the B.S. degree
- Six CMSC 500-level credits beyond those required for the computer science major, which count as general electives toward the B.S. and as CMSC electives toward the M.S.
- Additional credits to total 120 (including 45 upper-level credits)
(The B.S. can be awarded upon completion of all requirements for the undergraduate degree. All requirements for the B.S. must be met before students are eligible to take any 600-level course.)
Also required during the first four years in order to be on track to complete the M.S. during the fifth year:
- Six additional CMSC 500-level credits that do not count toward the B.S. degree
(126 total credits to be completed in first four years)
In order to complete the M.S.:
As listed above (nos. 2 and 4) and taken during first four years:
- Six CMSC 500-level credits beyond those required for the computer science major, which count as general electives toward the B.S. and as CMSC electives toward the M.S.
- Six additional CMSC 500-level credits that do not count toward the B.S. degree
Taken during fifth year:
- 15 CMSC 600-level credits
- Three CMSC graduate-level credits
(30 credits required for M.S.)