Accelerated Graduate Program in CS: Artificial Intelligence (BS) and Software Engineering (MSE)

The Accelerated Graduate Program in Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence Emphasis and Software Engineering enables a UWL student to earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a computer science major and a Master of Software Engineering (MSE) degree in five years. 

Admission to the program

  1. Students may declare the accelerated graduate program at any time; however, students must be accepted into the accelerated graduate program before they have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours. Declaring the accelerated graduate program does not guarantee admission into the graduate program. 
  2. Graduate courses cannot be taken until the student has completed 75 undergraduate credits.
  3. Students must have and maintain a minimum UWL resident cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.85/4.00; and maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00/4.00.

Curriculum

45 undergraduate credits, 30 graduate credits

Computer science major core

CPE 105Introduction to the Computing Environment1
CS 120Software Design I4
CS 220Software Design II4
CS 225Discrete Computational Structures 14
CS 270Introduction to Assembler Programming, C Programming and Computer Organization3
CS 340Software Design III: Abstract Data Types4
CS 364Introduction to Database Management Systems3
CS 370Computer Architecture3
CS 421Programming Language Concepts3
CS 441Operating System Concepts3
CS 442Structures of Compilers3
MTH 207Calculus I4
Total Credits39
1

May substitute MTH 225 for CS 225.

Master of Software Engineering core

CS 540Software Design IV: Software Engineering3
CS 555Fundamentals of Information Security3
CS 744Software Project Management3
CS 745Software Modeling, Analysis, and Verification3
CS 798Software Development Project (taken twice)12
Total Credits24

 Additional Requirements (12 credits)

CS 351Simulation3
or CS 353 Analysis of Algorithm Complexity
or CS 453 Introduction to Theory of Computation
or CS 461 Introduction to Data Science
CS 457/557Machine Learning 13
CS 552/452Artificial Intelligence 13
Select three credits of graduate electives (see below)3
Total Credits12
1

Students should consult with their advisor to determine if the course should be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level. One course must be completed at the 500 level.

Master of Software Engineering electives

CS 502Web Application Development3
CS 510Free and Open Source Software Development3
CS 518Mobile Application Development3
CS 519Topics in Computer Science1-3
CS 521Programming Language Concepts3
CS 531Introduction to Robotics3
CS 541Operating System Concepts3
CS 542Structures of Compilers3
CS 543Topics in Operating Systems3
CS 549Advances in Software Engineering3
CS 551User Interface Design3
CS 552Artificial Intelligence3
CS 553Introduction to Theory of Computation3
CS 554Digital Image Processing3
CS 555Fundamentals of Information Security3
CS 556Secure Software Development3
CS 557Machine Learning3
CS 561Introduction to Data Science3
CS 564Advanced Database Management Systems3
CS 570Parallel and Distributed Computing3
CS 571Computer Networks3
CS 572Internet of Things3
CS 575Computer Graphics and Modeling3
CS 576Data Visualization3
CS 750Topics in Software Engineering1-3
CS 751Seminar in Software Engineering1-3
CS 752Independent Study1-3

CS 540CS 552 or CS 557, and CS 555 will count toward both the undergraduate B.S degree and the Master of Software Engineering degree.

Applicants for undergraduate admission to UWL may request admission into the accelerated graduate program. To remain in the program students must maintain a 3.00 GPA. Award of the B.S. degree will occur upon completion of 120 credits, the CS major requirements, the CSH college core requirements, and the general university requirements. Students must have graduate student status before registering for their fourth graduate course (normally in the second semester of their senior year). Award of the MSE degree will occur after the completion of the B.S. and MSE requirements.

Every student must complete the computer science major field test. This test is used for program assessment not individual assessment.

Contact the Department of Computer Science & Computer Engineering for application information. See the online graduate catalog for more information about the MSE program.

Courses offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels can only be taken for credit at one level.

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements. 

 

College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Science core requirements

B.S. students graduating from the College of Science & Health are required to take:

  1. Two MTH/STAT courses or one MTH/STAT course and one CS course
    Introduction to Computing 1
    Introduction to Python Programming 1
    Software Design I 1
    Introduction to Computational Thinking 1
    Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 1
    Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 1
    Mathematics for Decision Making 1
    College Algebra 1
    Precalculus 1
    Mathematics for Business 1
    Applied Calculus 1
    Calculus I 1
    Calculus II 1
    Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 1
    Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 1
    Mathematical Models in Biology 1
    Elementary Statistics 1
1

Course may also satisfy a Core General Education Requirement.

  1. Two laboratory science courses, one of the two courses must be from a department outside of the student's major department:
Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1
Biology for the Informed Citizen 1
General Biology 1
Organismal Biology
Animal Biology
Plant Biology
General Chemistry I 1
General Chemistry II
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Sport Science I
Earth Environments 1
Weather and Climate
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Microbes and Society 1
Fundamental Physics I 1
Fundamental Physics II
Physical Science for Educators 1
Solar System Astronomy 1
Stars, Galaxies and the Universe 1
General Physics I 1
General Physics II

Notes: Mathematics courses can be pairs, i.e. MTH 150 and MTH 151.

  1. In addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, students from non-exempted programs2 must complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with students’ academic advisor.
    1. Complete a second major; or
    2. Complete a minor outside the major; or
    3. Complete two certificates outside the major with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or
    4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits
      1. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department.
      2. The remaining six credits should come from
        1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (all courses used to meet these requirements must be in addition to the minimum credits required in the Core General Education Requirements); or
        2. 300/400 level courses inside major not being used to fulfill major requirements.
      3. Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.
2

The list of exempted CSH programs is on the CSH catalog page.

 
 

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
  2. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  3. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  4. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  5. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  6. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  7. Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

Core General Education Program

The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 120 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning (Depending on math placement exam results))4CS 2204
CPE 1051CS 225 or MTH 2254
MTH 207 (CSH Core)4CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy)3
ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)3CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet3
UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success)2CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World3
CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics3 
 17 17
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 2703CS 3643
CS 3404CS 3703
CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science4CS Elective3
CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor13CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3
 CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies3
 14 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 351, 353, 453, or 4613CS 4423
CS 4213CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor13
CS 4413CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor13
CSH Core (Lab Science)4University Elective2
University Elective3CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3
 University Elective3
 16 17
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 4573CS 5553
CS 5403CS 7443
CS 7453CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3
University Elective3MSE Elective3
CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor13University Elective3
Apply for "full graduate status" for Spring semester Complete CS major field test2 
 15 15
Additional year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 7986CS 7986
CS 5523 
 9 6
Total Credits: 141
1

See CSH BS Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted. 

2

Every student must complete the computer science major field test during their senior year. This test is used for program assessment, not individual assessment.