Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Master of Science in Data Science

Program Coordinator: Nasseh Tabrizi (110-C Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9691; tabrizim@ecu.edu)

The accelerated bachelor of science in computer science/master of science in data science program allows outstanding computer science students with a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply to graduate-level study in data science after completing a minimum of 80 eligible undergraduate semester hours (s.h.) and to begin taking graduate courses after completion of a minimum of 90 eligible undergraduate semester hours. The bachelor’s degree requires 120 s.h. for completion, and students are formally admitted to the master’s program after satisfactory completion of all requirements for the undergraduate degree. It is anticipated that students will complete both degrees in five years.

Students accepted into the accelerated program must earn a grade of B or above in graduate coursework being double-counted to continue in the accelerated program. Students who earn a C in any graduate course being double-counted will be able to count that course toward the bachelor’s degree, but will not be eligible to take additional graduate courses in the accelerated program. Students will be able to reapply to the graduate program.

Only on-campus (undergraduate and graduate) courses will be allowed to satisfy the requirements for the accelerated program.

Undergraduate students accepted into the accelerated program may count up to 12 s.h. from the following graduate courses towards completion of both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees:

DASC 6010 - Big Data Analytics and Management (for CSCI 4180 - Big Data Analytics )
DASC 6020 - Machine Learning (for CSCI 4120 - Machine Learning )
DASC 6030 - Information Extraction and Retrieval (for CSCI 4130 - Information Retrieval )
DASC 6040 - Computational Analysis of Natural Languages (for CSCI 4140 - Natural Language Processing )
DASC 6050 - Digital Image Analysis and Understanding (for CSCI 4150 - Digital Image Processing )

Admission Process

Students applying to the accelerated bachelor of science in computer science/master of science in data science program will go through the regular graduate application process with the following exceptions:

• On the online graduate application form students will indicate that they are applying to an “Accelerated program”.

• A supplemental form will be completed with a faculty advisor listing the graduate courses to be counted towards both degrees, the intended date of completion of the undergraduate degree requirements, and the intended semester of assistantship eligibility.

• Personal statement should address applicant’s specific interest in data science graduate education and the accelerated program.