Computer Science, B.S. + M.S.

Overview:

• Up to 12 units will double count for BS and MS requirements

Double-Counted Courses

6-units of the following depending on BS student emphasis:

• BS Computer Science Software Emphasis: CECS 543 , CECS 571 
• BS Computer Science Cybersecurity Emphasis: CECS 572 , CECS 579 
• BS Computer Science AI ML Emphasis: CECS 529 , CECS 558

And, 6 units of the following:

• CECS 524 
• CECS 528 
• CECS 529 
• CECS 530 
• CECS 543 
• CECS 551 
• CECS 558 - Deep Learning (3 units)
• CECS 571  
• CECS 572 
• CECS 579  

Degree Award: Students will take 500 level courses as a BS student. The BS degree will be awarded first before MS degree completion.

GPA: Must maintain at least a 3.0 for courses applied to MS degree. A grade of ‘C’ in a 500-level course is acceptable provided that a grade ‘A’ is obtained in another 500-level course to meet the GPA requirement.

Students whose GPA drops below 3.0 will be subject to academic warning requirements as determined by university policy once they have ‘graduate’ status.

MS tracks:

• Students in the Blended program may take either thesis or comprehensive exam track.
• Thesis track: Students opting to complete a thesis are recommended to find a faculty research advisor prior to, during, or shortly after the application process to facilitate the expedited timeline. Any work completed as part of honors theses, independent study, senior design, etc. is not allowed to be included in the graduate thesis. Follow on work or results not included in the above mentioned coursework may be included in the graduate thesis.
• Comprehensive exam track: Students in the blended program will take the same exam as students enrolled in the MS programs. Refer to the graduate program handbook for specific details.
• Students are encouraged to identify courses for the MS degree prior to enrolling in courses. This approach is recommended to prioritize course selection for the concentration-specific courses to facilitate timely graduation.

Advancement to Candidacy

• Students must have completed their BSCS program and be in graduate status before being advanced to candidacy.
• The graduate program requires students to advance to candidacy after the completion of 12 units, GPA>=3.0.
• Students in the blended program will have the same requirements. The GPA used for candidacy will be calculated from the courses that go to the MS degree whether or not the course is double counted for the BS degree.

Dropping out of Blended program:

• Students whose GPA drops below the minimum required GPA for the traditional program (e.g., BSCS or MSCS) will be subject to academic warning and follow procedures set by that respective program and university policy.
• Blended program students that are in the process of completing their BS degree must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for all 500 level courses.
• Students who do not meet GPA requirements will be removed from the blended degree program. Students will remain in their BS program and shall follow the course requirements for that program. Previous 500-level courses completed with grades C or above will be substituted for the appropriate 400 level course for the BS degree requirement.
• A final grade of D/F in any 500 level course while the student has undergraduate status will result in their removal from the blended degree program. Students will need to complete B.S. degree requirements.
• Students that do not maintain continuous enrollment or have approved academic leave will be dropped from the BS program (if they have undergraduate status) or the MS program (if they have graduate status). In those cases, the student must reapply to the respective program.
• A student may voluntarily decide to exit the blended program and finish the BS program requirements. A student may choose to discontinue the blended degree and must inform the graduate advisor of their decision in writing prior to the start of the following semester.
• Any student who is withdrawn from the program for any reason may not re-enroll in the Blended program. Students who wish to obtain a MS degree will have to apply via Cal State Apply after the completion of their BS degree.
• Any student that withdraws from the program for any reason and is readmitted to the regular MSCS program will not double count 500 level courses previously taken as part of their BS degree unless it has been more than 7 years since that course was taken. If a core MSCS course was taken as part of the student’s BS degree, the student cannot retake that course for MSCS credit. Instead, the student must work with the graduate advisor to substitute another course.
• If they change undergraduate major’s or master’s program, they will be withdrawn from the Beach EDGE.