Accelerated Graduate Program in Computer Science (BS) and Software Engineering (MSE)

The Accelerated Graduate Program in Computer Science and Software Engineering is a great opportunity to those highly motivated students who would like to further their knowledge in software engineering. This program enables students to complete both degrees, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and a Master of Software Engineering (MSE) from UW-La Crosse, with less time in school, less tuition, and enter the workforce earlier than those receiving traditional degrees. This program can be completed in five years compared to what typically would take six years when completing both degrees separately.  

Students may be accepted into the accelerated graduate program anytime before they have completed seventy-five undergraduate credits hours. Applicants for undergraduate admission to UWL may request admission into the accelerated graduate program. In order to remain in the program students must maintain a 3.00 GPA. Award of the BS degree will occur upon completion of 120 credits, the CS major requirements, the CSH college requirements, and the general university requirements. Students must have graduate student status prior to registering for their fourth graduate course (normally in the second semester of their 4th year.) Award of the MSE degree will occur after the completion of the BS and MSE requirements.

Refer to the sample degree plan for course sequencing. Students should consult with the Department Chair or their CS faculty advisor for specific course advising for this agreement.

The Accelerated Graduate Program in Computer Science 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. 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)

Computer science major
Select six credits of undergraduate CS electives (see below).6
Computer science major & MSE
Select three credits of graduate CS electives.3
Master of software engineering
Select three additional credits of graduate CS elecitves.3
Total Credits12

Computer science major electives

CS 202Introduction to Web Design3
CS 224Introduction to Programming Language1-3
CS 227Competitive Programming1
CS 342Software Testing Techniques3
CS 351Simulation3
CS 353Analysis of Algorithm Complexity3
CS 356Software Exploitation3
CS 372Hardware/Software Integration3
CS 395Independent Study1-3
CS 402Web Application Development3
CS 410Free and Open Source Software Development3
CS 418Mobile Application Development3
CS 419Topics in Computer Science1-3
CS 431Introduction to Robotics3
CS 443Topics in Operating Systems3
CS 449Advances in Software Engineering3
CS 451User Interface Design3
CS 452Artificial Intelligence3
CS 453Introduction to Theory of Computation3
CS 454Digital Image Processing3
CS 455Fundamentals of Information Security3
CS 456Secure Software Development3
CS 457Machine Learning3
CS 461Introduction to Data Science3
CS 464Advanced Database Management Systems3
CS 470Parallel and Distributed Computing3
CS 471Computer Networks3
CS 472Internet of Things3
CS 475Computer Graphics and Modeling3
CS 476Data Visualization3
CS 499Research in Computer Science1-3
CPE 212Digital Logic3
CPE 227Introduction to Prototyping1
CPE 301Introduction to Transient Analysis3
CPE 302Introduction to Control Systems3
CPE 309Systems Development3
CPE 321Introduction to Digital Signal Processing3
CPE 395Independent Study1-3
CPE 406Architecture of Parallel Systems3
CPE 419Topics in Computer Engineering1-3
CPE 420Digital Design3
CPE 446ASIC Design3
CPE 463Advanced Computer Architecture3
CPE 466Code Generation and Optimization3
CPE 478Virtual Machines3
CPE 483Engineering Project Management1
CPE 499Research in Computer Engineering1-3
MTH 317Graph Theory3
MTH 371Scientific Computing and Numerical Methods4

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 540, CS 555, and three graduate credit electives count toward both the undergraduate B.S. degree and the Master of Software Engineering degree. 

Students may be accepted into the accelerated graduate program anytime before they have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours. Applicants for undergraduate admission to UWL may request admission into the accelerated graduate program. Award of the B.S. degree will occur upon completion of 120 credits, 40 credits of 300/400 level coursework, 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.

Slash courses (400/500 level) offered at both the undergraduate (400) and graduate (500) 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
    CS 101
    		Introduction to Computing 1
    CS 115
    		Introduction to Python Programming 1
    CS 120
    		Software Design I 1
    CT 100
    		Introduction to Computational Thinking 1
    MTH 115
    		Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 1
    MTH 116
    		Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 1
    MTH 123
    		Mathematics for Decision Making 1
    MTH 150
    		College Algebra 1
    MTH 151
    		Precalculus 1
    MTH 160
    		Mathematics for Business 1
    MTH 175
    		Applied Calculus 1
    MTH 207
    		Calculus I 1
    MTH 208
    		Calculus II 1
    MTH 215
    		Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 1
    MTH 216
    		Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 1
    MTH 265
    		Mathematical Models in Biology 1
    STAT 145
    		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:
ANT 102
Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1
BIO 100
Biology for the Informed Citizen 1
BIO 105
General Biology 1
BIO 203
Organismal Biology
BIO 210
Animal Biology
BIO 304
Plant Biology
CHM 103
General Chemistry I 1
CHM 104
General Chemistry II
ESS 205
Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Sport Science I
GEO 101
Earth Environments 1
GEO 221
Weather and Climate
GEO 222
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
MIC 100
Microbes and Society 1
PHY 103
Fundamental Physics I 1
PHY 104
Fundamental Physics II
PHY 106
Physical Science for Educators 1
PHY 155
Solar System Astronomy 1
PHY 160
Stars, Galaxies and the Universe 1
PHY 203
General Physics I 1
PHY 204
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.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Master of Software Engineering Accelerated Graduate Program sample plan:

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CPE 1051CS 2204
CS 120 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning)4CS 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 HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics3
University Elective1 
 15 17
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 2703CS 3643
CS 3404CS 3703
CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science4CS Elective3
CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States3CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell3
CSH Core or Minor3CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us3
 CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies3
 17 18
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 3703CS 4413
CS 4213CS 4423
CS 300/400 Level Elective13CS 5553
CSH Core (Lab Science)4University Elective 3
CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor23CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor23
 Apply for "graduate special status" for Fall semester  
 16 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 5403CS 7453
CS 300/400 Elective13MSE Elective3
CSH Core (300/400 not CS) or Minor23CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World 3
University Elective4CSH Core (300/400 not CS) Or Minor23
Apply for "full graduate status" for Spring semester Complete CS major field test3 
 13 12
Additional year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 7986CS 7986
MSE Elective3CS 7443
 9 9
Total Credits: 141
1

CS 364 should be one of your "CS Elective" courses taken prior to taking CS 540. It is offered in both Fall and Spring semesters.

2

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

3

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

Students also have the option of taking CGER courses during Winter Intersession (January between Fall and Spring semesters) and Summer to reduce the load during regular semesters (Fall and Spring).

Additional UWL and College of Science and Health core courses may be required.