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Computer Science, B.A. to Computer Science, M.S. Accelerated Program

Saint Louis University's computer science B.A. to computer science M.S. accelerated program allows a student to complete both the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and the Master of Science in Computer Science at SLU in less time than it would take to complete both degrees independently.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

Computer Science, B.A.

Computer Science, M.S.

Students who want to apply to this accelerated program should have completed all 2000-level coursework required of the computer science bachelor's program and have completed at least 75 credits at the time of application.

At the time of application, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and a GPA of at least 3.00 in their computer science coursework. Contact the graduate coordinator for more details.

Non-Course Requirements

All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program. 

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and a GPA of at least 3.00 in their computer science coursework. 

Students who drop below that GPA while in the accelerated program will be placed on a one-semester probationary period before being dismissed from the accelerated program. 

Only grades of "B" or better in the graduate courses taken while an undergraduate can be applied to the master's degree.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CSCI 10xxIntroduction to Computer Science 3
MATH 1660 Discrete Mathematics 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
CSCI 1300 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming 4
MATH 1510 Calculus I 4
University Core and/or General Electives 6
 Credits14
Year Two
Fall
CSCI 2100 Data Structures 4
CSCI 2500 Computer Organization and Systems 3
MATH 1520 Calculus II 4
University Core and/or General Electives 6
 Credits17
Spring
CSCI 2300 Object-Oriented Software Design 3
CSCI 2510 Principles of Computing Systems 3
Additional Mathematics/Statistics (2000+) 3
University Core and/or General Electives 6
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
CSCI 3100 Algorithms 3
University Core and/or General Electives 12
 Credits15
Spring
5000-level version of CSCI Systems Elective 3
PHIL 3050X Computer Ethics 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
CSCI 4961 Capstone Project I 2
CSCI 5000+ Breadth Elective 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits14
Spring
CSCI 4962 Capstone Project II 2
CSCI 5000+ Breadth Elective 3
CSCI 5090 Computer Science Colloquium 1
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Five
Fall
CSCI 5030 Principles of Software Development 3
CSCI 51xxTheory Elective 3
CSCI 5xxxGeneral Elective 3
CSCI 5xxxGeneral Elective 3
CSCI 5090 Computer Science Colloquium 1
 Credits13
Spring
CSCI 53xxSoftware Engineering Elective 3
CSCI 5xxxGeneral Elective 3
CSCI 5xxxGeneral Elective a 3
CSCI 5090 Computer Science Colloquium 1
 Credits10
 Total Credits143
a

Waiver replacement for CSCI 5050: Computing and Society

Introduction to Computer Science

CSCI 1010
Introduction to Computer Science: Principles
CSCI 1020
Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics
CSCI 1025
Introduction to Computer Science: Cybersecurity
CSCI 1030
Introduction to Computer Science: Game Design
CSCI 1040
Introduction to Computer Science: Mobile Computing
CSCI 1050
Introduction to Computer Science: Multimedia
CSCI 1060
Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming
CSCI 1070
Introduction to Computer Science: Taming Big Data
CSCI 1080
Introduction to Computer Science: World Wide Web
CSCI 1090
Introduction to Computer Science: Special Topics
With permission, a computing-intensive course from another discipline may be substituted. Examples of such courses include:
BME 2000
Biomedical Engineering Computing
CVNG 1500
Civil Engineering Computing
STAT 3850
Foundation of Statistics

Systems 

CSCI 4500
Advanced Operating Systems
CSCI 4530
Computer Security
CSCI 4550
Computer Networks
CSCI 4610
Concurrent and Parallel Programming
CSCI 4620
Distributed Computing

Graduate Electives

The general requirements must include a course from at least two of the following categories:

  • CSCI 5200-5299 (Language/Compilers courses)
  • CSCI 5600-5699 (Large Scale Systems courses)
  • CSCI 5700-5799 (Knowledge Systems)
  • CSCI 5800-5899 or BCB 5200/5250 (Advanced Applications)

Program Notes

CSCI 5050 Computing and Society (3 cr) requirement will be waived for students who took Computer Ethics as an
undergraduate; these hours would become an additional graduate elective.

Thesis Option

A master's thesis is optional. Students completing a thesis should take six credits of CSCI 5990 Thesis Research (0-6 cr) as part of the elective requirements.

Internship with Industry

Students may apply at most three credits of CSCI 5910 Internship with Industry (1-3 cr) toward the degree requirements.

Closely Related Disciplines

With approval, students may include up to six credits of elective graduate coursework in closely related disciplines (e.g. mathematics and statistics, bioinformatics and computational biology, electrical and computer engineering).