All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Pathway
Overview
The Accelerated Master’s Entry Pathway (AMP) in computer science allows students with strong ability and motivation to complete a bachelor’s degree at UVM and a master's degree at UVM in computer science within 5 years.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Science for Accelerated Master's Students
Students enrolled in any undergraduate bachelor’s degree program at UVM are eligible to apply for the computer science AMP. Following formal admission by the Graduate College to the Accelerated Master's Pathway, students may count up to 6 graduate level course work credits toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Another 3 graduate credits can be counted towards the master's degree while an undergraduate but cannot count towards the bachelor's degree.
Although the bachelor’s degree need not be in computer science, applicants must have at least a 3.2 GPA and demonstrate that they have taken the following prerequisite courses, or have equivalent knowledge:
| 2 courses that treat systematic program development in a high-level language, for example: | ||
| CS 1210 | Computer Programming I | 3 |
| CS 2100 | Intermediate Programming | 4 |
| 1 course in computer system organization, for example: | ||
| CS 2210 | Computer Organization | 3 |
| 1 course in data structures, for example: | ||
| CS 2240 | Data Struc & Algorithms | 3 |
| 1 course in computability and complexity, for example: | ||
| CS 2250 | Computability& Complexity | 3 |
| 2 courses in differential and integral calculus, for example: | ||
| MATH 1234 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1248 | Calculus II | 4 |
| 1 course in linear algebra: | ||
| MATH 2522 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Coursework in probability and statistics, for example: | ||
| STAT 2430 | Statistics for Engineering | 3 |
| STAT 2510 | Applied Probability | 3 |
Undergraduates interested in the AMP should discuss this option with the College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences Graduate Coordinator prior to any semester in which they wish to take courses that will apply to the master’s degree.
There is no GRE requirement for AMP students.
Minimum Degree Requirements
| Option A (Thesis) | ||
| 30 credits, including a minimum of 21 credits of approved course work, at least 6 of which must be at the 6000-level, and a minimum of 6 credits of thesis research (CS 6391) | 30 | |
| Option B (Project) | ||
| 30 credits, including a minimum of 24 credits of approved course work, at least 6 of which must be at the 6000-level, and a minimum of 3 credits of project research (CS 6392) | 30 | |
| Option C (Non-Thesis) | ||
| 30 credits of approved course work, at least 6 of which must be at the 6000-level | 30 | |
| All Options | ||
| Students in all options must take 4 core Computer Science Courses, to be determined in consultation with and approval of the student’s graduate advisor and the CS graduate coordinator, depending on a student’s background and interests. | ||
| Pass comprehensive exams covering material from the 4 approved core courses. | ||
| Fulfill the credit requirement with approved graduate-level course work in computer science or related areas. (Only courses with grades of B- or above are counted towards course work requirements and students with 2 grades below B are eligible for dismissal.) | ||
Comprehensive Examination
Students must demonstrate mastery of the material by one of four possible routes: an oral exam, a written exam, a paper, or a portfolio. The exact format will be decided upon by the Curriculum Committee in consultation with the student. The Curriculum Committee will also designate three relevant faculty who will create the exam and or specify the format and content area of the paper and assess the student’s performance.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Passing of the comprehensive exam.