UW CSE Combined Bachelors/Masters Program

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During Spring 2008, the CSE department created a Combined Bachelors/Masters (BS/MS) program for current CS and CE majors at UW-Seattle. The Masters degree is the same degree as for our other Masters degree programs and will be a Master of Science (Computer Science & Engineering). The program is currently funded for 10 graduates per year, though we hope the program will grow in later years. The first group of admitted BS/MS students will begin graduate work this fall.

CSE BS/MS Application is now closed.

*In May we completed our first application for this program. A second application will open in September, for students who have finished all 300-level CSE courses, or are recent graduates.

ALERTS

• There are no alerts at this time.

September 2008 Application Details

The application will require you to submit the following information:

• Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose should be no more than one page. Here are some things you may consider addressing:
  • Why are you interested in pursuing a combined BS/MS?
  • What aspects interest you most? e.g. specific areas of study, overall breadth and depth (there is no wrong answer here.)
  • What makes you a good candidate?
• References
  • We will ask you to list up to three (CSE) faculty or instructors from whom you took a class, with whom you did research, or for whom you were a TA. (List the one who could provide the best information first.)
  • You do not need to get their permission to write down their name, but you could drop them a line letting them know you have applied if you wish.
• Transcripts: You will be asked to upload a copy of your UW unofficial transcript (the printer friendly pdf version from MyUW)
• Resume:You will have the option to upload a current resume
• MyCSE: You will want to make sure that everything in your MyCSE profiles is up to date, including scholarships, co-ops/internships and research.
• Tentative Timeline:
  • Early Sept: Application goes live
  • Mid Sept: Application closes
  • Late Sept: Decisions made and sent via email

General Information

Admissions

In steady state, most students will apply by the end of their junior year and will plan their programs as a coherent whole over a two-year period.

In May 2008 we admitted 13 seniors who will begin Master's coursework in 2008-2009. In September 2008, we will open another application cycle, this one will be geared towards students who have recently finished all 300 level courses (rising Seniors) but anyone graduating Autumn 2007-Summer 2008 may also apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

• UW CSE undergraduate major
• Junior standing or higher
• At least a 3.00 GPA (which must be maintained for satisfactory progress)
• All 300-level CSE core courses complete
  

Application details:
Students may apply as early as their junior year, and must begin the program within one year of graduation from their BS. Most students will be admitted as rising seniors. The application will be through the UW Graduate School, but no GRE is required

Masters Degree Details

The B.S. and M.S. are separate degrees.

• Students will be admitted to the Masters program while undergraduates, but don’t attain graduate student status until their Bachelor degree is completed
  
• Up to 12 credits towards the Masters degree requirements earned after admission* and prior to completion of the Bachelors degree can count towards the Masters degree provided that
  
  • Courses are 500-level* and above
  • Courses are not used to fulfill any Bachelors degree requirements
  *with a specific exception for students admitted this Spring

Degree Requirements

40 credits total, including:

1. 36 credits of approved graded 400-level and 500-level courses except as substituted by research credit as described below. Of these courses:
   1. at least 32 credits must be Computer Science and Engineering courses.
      Students who wish to substitute courses in other fields for Computer Science and Engineering courses may petition to do so by presenting a coherent course plan and written justification for this plan to the program advisor for approval by the start of their Master's degree program.
   2. at least 20 credits must be from 500-level Computer Science and Engineering 4-credit graded courses or other approved Computer Science and Engineering graded coursework at the 500-level totaling at least 20 credits.
   3. one course must provide training in writing; e.g. TC 401 (5) Style in Scientific and Technical Writing or TC 509 (3) Writing the Scientific Article. This requirement is waived for students who have TC 333 or other course with similar training in writing.
2. Four (4) additional credits of Computer Science and Engineering research colloquium or single credit research seminars.
3. Students may substitute up to 12 credits of CSE 600 that includes a final written report on the research in place of graded Computer Science and Engineering courses in 1 (a) above. Of these, 4 credits of research may be substituted for graded credits in 1(b) above.
4. Subsequent to their admission to the Master’s program, students must complete
   1. either an approved internship/co-op or at least 3 credits of Computer Science and Engineering research .
   2. at least one approved course from the Computer Science and Engineering Integrated Project course list
5. Up to 12 credits at the 500-level or higher as required above taken subsequent to admission to the Master's program and prior to completion of the Computer Science or Computer Engineering Bachelors degree requirements but not used to satisfy those requirements may be applied to the Master's degree requirements.

Curriculum details:

Writing requirement: One course must provide training in writing; e.g. TC 401 (5) Style in Scientific and Technical Writing or TC 509 (3) Writing the Scientific Article. This requirement is waived for students who have taken TC 333 or some other course with similar training in writing. (TC 333 is required for Computer Engineering)

Integrated Project & Research/Internship Requirements: Subsequent to their admission to the Masters program, students must complete either

• an approved internship/co-op or at least 3 credits of CSE research (CSE 498/9 or 600)
• at least one approved CSE Integrated Project (i.e., Capstone) course. These courses include new 500-level capstone-style courses we will develop as well as CSE 428, CSE 454, CSE 441, CSE 460, CSE 468, CSE 477, and CSE 481.

Potential timelines for completing the degree:

• All masters work in one year
  3 graded courses per quarter plus 1-2 credits colloquium/research seminar per quarter
  1 course per quarter can be replaced by research
  
  
• 12 credits as an undergrad, plus one year of master's work
  2 graded courses per quarter or 1 graded course plus research

Questions or concerns?

Please also read through our BS/MS FAQ page. This page, and the FAQ, contains all current details on the CSE combined BS/MS program, and will be updated as new details emerge. While we can't provide any additional details, please contact us if you have questions or concerns.

	Computer Science & Engineering University of Washington Box 352350 Seattle, WA  98195-2350 (206) 543-1695 voice, (206) 543-2969 FAX [comments to ugrad-advisor]