Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Science and Industrial Engineering
Students in selected programs in the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science have the opportunity to complete both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years.
Biomedical Engineering
4+1 BS-MS Biomedical Engineering Program
A 4+1 BS and MS in biomedical engineering program is available for motivated students working toward the BS in biomedical engineering. The MS degree is an excellent professional credential, which usually commands a substantially higher starting salary. The 4+1 degree program offers the advantage of less time to degree completion, finishing the MS while a full-time student rather than an extended part-time program, and the ability to start employment at the master's level. To be eligible, undergraduate students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher after five semesters (fall semester, junior year); students with a GPA above 3.0 (but below 3.5) can be admitted with two signatures of support from BME faculty (submitted to the BME graduate program director). Students apply for admission to the 4+1 degree program during their junior year by completing a short application available in the Biomedical Engineering Department Office. Once admitted to the program, students begin taking graduate courses during their senior year. Up to three graduate courses taken in the student's senior year can count both toward their MS degree requirements and their senior year BS elective requirements. (Students may not take more than three graduate classes as undergraduates.) Students in this program must be registered for a total of 21 graduate credits during their fifth (graduate) year (a total of seven courses). By Jan. 15 of the senior year, a formal application for Graduate School admission must be completed, which, assuming continued good performance, is only a formality.
After admission to the graduate program, students are encouraged to seek employment as a graduate research assistant in one of the department's research projects. Research experience gained in the summer after finishing the BS degree provides an excellent experience and a start on an MS thesis or MS termination project. Typically, this start on the MS thesis or MS termination project allows the completion of the MS in one academic year beyond the BS degree. The expectation is that students in the program will complete the BS and MS degrees in five years. Students in the 4+1 degree program receive their BS degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. They must then continue as a full-time student in order for the graduate courses taken as an undergraduate to count toward the MS degree requirements.
Undergraduate credits: 126; Double-count credits: 9; Graduate credits: 30.
Computer Engineering
4+1 BS-MS Electrical and Computer Engineering Program
A 4+1 BS and MS in electrical and computer engineering degree program is available for motivated students working toward the BS in computer engineering. The MS degree is an excellent professional credential, which usually commands a substantially higher starting salary. The 4+1 degree program offers the advantages of less time to degree completion, cost savings through three double-counted courses, a simplified admission process by waiving the requirements on GRE exams and recommendation letters, and the ability to start employment at the master's level. To be eligible, undergraduate students must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher after five semesters (fall semester, junior year); students with a GPA above 3.0 (but below 3.3) may be admitted at the discretion of the director of graduate admissions with two signatures of support from ECE faculty (submitted to the ECE director of graduate admissions). Students apply for admission to the 4+1 degree program during their junior year by completing a short department application form available in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Office. Once admitted to the program, students begin taking graduate courses during their senior year. Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count both toward their MS degree requirements and their senior BS elective requirements. (Students may not take more than three double-counted graduate classes as undergraduates.) Students in this program must take a total of 21 credits at the graduate-only level (a total of seven courses). During the second semester of the senior year, a formal application for Graduate School admission must be completed, which, assuming continued good performance, is only a formality. Note that the 4+1 program will still be open to the admitted students if they take employment immediately after completing their BS and may choose to continue the program part-time.
After admission to the graduate program, students are encouraged to seek employment as a graduate research assistant in one of the department’s research projects. Research experience gained in the summer after finishing the BS degree provides an excellent experience and a start on a MS thesis or project. Typically, this start on the graduate research allows the completion of the MS program in one academic year beyond the BS degree. The expectation is that students in the program can complete the BS and MS degrees in five years. Students in the 4+1 degree program receive their BS degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. Then they have an option to continue as a full-time or part-time student and have the graduate courses taken as an undergraduate count toward the MS degree requirements.
Undergraduate credits: 127; Double count credits: 9; Graduate credits: 30.
4+1 BS-MBA Program
Students have the opportunity to complete both the BS in computer engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. Students should see the Watson College Advising Office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management graduate advising office for questions regarding the MBA program.
Computer Science
4+1 BS-MS Computer Science Program
Students are encouraged to apply at the end of their junior year (i.e. the semester in which they will complete all of the 300-level computer science and mathematics area requirements) but must apply no later than the end of the first semester of their senior year. A GPA of at least 3.3 is required for admission. An application form is available on the Watson College 4+1 web page or in the Computer Science Department Office. Applicants should meet with the CS director of graduate studies as part of the application process. In addition, students must apply for formal admission to the Graduate School during their senior year. At the time of completion of the bachelor of science (BS) degree in CS, students will have completed at least 19 credits of CS courses numbered 400 or above. The 19 credits will include 400-level required and elective courses as well as graduate elective courses. At most, three graduate elective courses (nine credit hours) may double-count in the BS and MS programs but courses must be selected to meet the distribution requirement of the undergraduate degree. Eighteen credits of coursework (not including project or thesis credit or any other course graded S/U) must be completed after the award of the BS in CS to meet graduate residence. Students must meet all other requirements for the master’s of science (MS) degree in CS.
Undergraduate credits: 126; Double-counted credits: 9; Graduate credits: 31.
4+1 BS-MBA Program
Students have the opportunity to complete both the BS in computer science and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. Students should visit the Watson College Advising Office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management graduate advising office for questions regarding the MBA program.
Electrical Engineering
4+1 BS-MS Electrical and Computer Engineering Program
A 4+1 BS and MS in electrical and computer engineering degree program is available for motivated students working toward the BS in electrical engineering. The MS degree is an excellent professional credential, which usually commands a substantially higher starting salary. The 4+1 degree program offers the advantages of less time to degree completion, cost savings through three double-counted courses, a simplified admission process by waiving the requirements on GRE exams and recommendation letters, and the ability to start employment at the master's level. To be eligible, undergraduate students must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher after five semesters (fall semester, junior year); students with a GPA above 3.0 (but below 3.3) may be admitted at the discretion of the director of graduate admissions with two signatures of support from ECE faculty (submitted to the ECE director of graduate admissions). Students apply for admission to the 4+1 degree program during their junior year by completing a short department application form available in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Office. Once admitted to the program, students begin taking graduate courses during their senior year. Up to three graduate courses taken in the student’s senior year can count both toward their MS degree requirements and their senior BS elective requirements. (Students may not take more than three double-counted graduate classes as undergraduates.) Students in this program must take a total of 21 credits at the graduate-only level (a total of seven courses). During the second semester of the senior year, a formal application for Graduate School admission must be completed, which, assuming continued good performance, is only a formality. Note that the 4+1 program will still be open to the admitted students if they take employment immediately after completing their BS and may choose to continue the program part-time.
After admission to the graduate program, students are encouraged to seek employment as a graduate research assistant in one of the department’s research projects. Research experience gained in the summer after finishing the BS degree provides an excellent experience and a start on an MS thesis or project. Typically, this start on the graduate research allows the completion of the MS program in one academic year beyond the BS degree. The expectation is that students in the program can complete the BS and MS degrees in five years. Students in the 4+1 degree program receive their BS degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. Then they have an option to continue as a full-time or part-time student and have the graduate courses taken as an undergraduate count toward the MS degree requirements.
Undergraduate credits: 127; Double count credits: 9; Graduate credits: 30.
4+1 BS-MBA Program
Students have the opportunity to complete both the BS in electrical engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. Students should see the Watson College Advising Office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management graduate advising office for questions regarding the MBA program.
Mechanical Engineering
4+1 BS/MS Mechanical Engineering Program
A 4+1 BS in mechanical engineering and MS in mechanical engineering (project option) degree program enables mechanical engineering students to complete both degrees in a five-year period. Acceptance into the program requires a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Students interested in the program should begin by applying to the 4+1 degree program during their junior year. An application form is available in the Watson College Advising Office or in the Mechanical Engineering Department Office. In addition, students must apply for formal admission to the Graduate School during their senior year. For more information about the MS degree core and area of emphasis (AOE) courses, refer to the mechanical engineering graduate program section of this document.
In the 4+1 degree program, students may take up to two graduate-level courses as mechanical engineering or technical electives in the senior year. These two courses also count toward the MS degree requirements. For mechanical engineering electives that are co-listed as 400/500 level, students in the 4+1 degree program should register for the graduate-level course for the course to count toward the BS ME and the MS ME. Refer to the graduate section of the Bulletin that describes the requirements for the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, project option.
Undergraduate credits: 128; Double count credits: 6; Graduate credits: 30.
4+1 BS/MS Mechanical Engineering Program – Typical Course Sequence
Year Three
- Fall
- ME 302 Engineering Analysis
- ME 331 Thermodynamics
- ME 362 Science of Engineering Material
- ME 363 Engineering Materials Lab
- ME 381 Computer-Aided Engineering
- General Education Elective
- Spring
- ME 303 Engineering Computational Methods
- ME 351 Fluid Mechanics
- ME 391 Measurement and Instrumentation Laboratory
- ME 392 Mechanical Engineering Design
- ME 421 Mechanical Vibrations
Year four
- Fall
- ME 424 Control Systems in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 441 Heat Transfer
- ME 491 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory
- ME 493 Senior Project I
- ME 498 Senior Project Lab I
- ME 535 Analytical Methods (Core Grad Course)*
- Spring
- ME 494 Senior Project II
- ME 499 Senior Project Lab II
- General Education Elective
- Grad Course in Mechanical Engineering*
- Technical Elective
- Technical Elective
BS ME awarded
* Counted for credits in both BS and MS curricula.
4+1 BS-MBA Program
Students have the opportunity to complete both the BS in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in five years. Students should see the Watson College Advising Office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management graduate advising office for questions regarding the MBA program.
4+1 BS ME/MS Materials Science and Engineering Program
A 4+1 BS in mechanical engineering and MS in materials science and engineering (thesis or project) degree program enables mechanical engineering students to complete both degrees in a five-year period. Acceptance into the program requires a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Students interested in the program should begin by applying to the 4+1 degree program during their junior year. An application form is available in the Watson College Advising Office or in the Mechanical Engineering Department Office. In addition, students must apply for formal admission to the Graduate School during their senior year.
In the 4+1 degree program, students may take up to two graduate-level ME or MSE courses as mechanical engineering or technical electives in the senior year. These two courses also count toward the MS degree requirements. For mechanical engineering electives that are co-listed as 400/500 level, students in the 4+1 degree program should register for the graduate-level course for the course to count toward the BS ME and the MS MSE. Refer to the Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering Bulletin page for requirements.
4+1 BS ME/MS Materials Science and Engineering Program – Typical Course
Sequence
- Freshman through Senior Year (Year 1-4)
- Take courses for a BS in Mechanical Engineering
- Senior Year (Year 4)
- Take 2 ME or MSE courses of 500-level courses* (as technical electives)
*Double counted for your BS and MS
- Take 2 ME or MSE courses of 500-level courses* (as technical electives)
- Graduate Year (Year 5)
- Complete the required MSE coursework
- Begin research with an advisor (one or two semesters)
- Submission and oral defense of a master’s thesis (6 credits) or a thesis project (4 credits)
- Required MSE Courses:
- MSE 511: Techniques for Studying Solids
- MSE 562: Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
- MSE 565: Crystallography & Diffraction
- MSE 566: Reactivity of Materials
- MSE 590: Materials Communications & Seminar
- MSE 593: Frontiers in Materials Science
- Other MSE Courses:
- MSE 560: Thermodynamics of Materials
- MSE 563: Thin Film & Coating Technology
- MSE 572: Physics of Materials
- MSE 569: Scanning Electron Microscopy & Microanalysis
- MSE 570: Transmission Electron Microscopy
Systems Science and Industrial Engineering
4+1 BS ISE-MS Industrial and Systems Engineering Program
The 4+1 BS in industrial and systems engineering (ISE) and MS in industrial and systems engineering degree program is available for students working toward their BS ISE who have a GPA of 3.3 after five semesters (i.e., at the end of the fall semester in their junior year) and a B+ or better in both ISE 261 and ISE 362. An application, which must be approved by the department chair and/or graduate director, is available from the department. Students approved for the 4+1 degree program can take up to three graduate courses while still in the undergraduate program that count both toward their technical elective requirements for the BS ISE and toward their MS ISE degree requirements. For SSIE graduate electives that are cross-listed as 400 and 500 level courses, students in the 4+1 degree program must register for the graduate (500) level course for the course to count toward the BS ISE and the MS ISE. While such graduate courses are typically taken in the senior year, these graduate courses can also occur in the spring semester of the junior year with approval of the graduate director and/or the department chair. In the fifth (graduate) year, students in this program must register for 9-12 or more credits in each of the two semesters. This program typically allows the completion of the MS ISE degree in one year beyond the BS ISE degree. Students in the 4+1 BS ISE and MS ISE program receive their BS ISE degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. The MS ISE degree is an excellent professional credential, which usually commands a substantially increased starting salary.
Undergraduate credits: 127; Double count credits: 9; Graduate credits: 30.
Requirements for the 4+1 BS ISE-MS ISE Program
| Fourth Year/Fall Semester | Credits |
| ISE 420 Optimization and Operations Research II | 4 |
| ISE 421 Modeling and Simulation | 4 |
| ISE 470 Industrial Automation | 4 |
| ISE 491 Systems Design | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Year/Spring Semester | Credits |
| ISE 492 Systems Design Project | 4 |
| SSIE 510 Enterprise System Engineering | 3 |
| SSIE 5XX Approved Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| SSIE 5XX Approved Graduate Elective 2 | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
| Graduate Year/Fall Semester | Credits |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 3 | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 4 | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 5 | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 6 or SSIE 599 Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Graduate Year/Spring Semester | Credits |
| SSIE 600-level Approved Graduate Elective 7 | 3 |
| SSIE 520 Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 8 / SSIE 598 MS Termination Project / SSIE 599 Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
4+1 BS ISE-MS Systems Science Program
The 4+1 BS in industrial and systems engineering and MS in systems science (SS) degree program is available for students working toward their BS ISE who have a GPA of 3.3 after five semesters (i.e., at the end of the fall semester in their junior year) and a B+ or better in both ISE 261 and ISE 362. An application, which must be approved, is available from the department. Students approved for the 4+1 degree program can take up to three graduate courses while still in the undergraduate program that count both toward their technical elective requirements for the BS ISE and toward their MS SS degree requirements. For SSIE graduate electives that are cross-listed as 400- and 500-level courses, students in the 4+1 degree program must register for the graduate (500) level course for the course to count toward the BS ISE and the MS SS. While such graduate courses are typically taken in the senior year, these graduate courses can also occur in the spring semester of the junior year with approval of the Graduate director and/or the department chair. In the fifth (graduate) year, students in this program must register for 9-12 or more credits in each of the two semesters. This program typically allows the completion of the MS SS degree in one academic year beyond the BS ISE degree. Students in the 4+1 BS ISE and MS SS program receive their BS ISE degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. The MS SS degree is an excellent professional credential, which usually commands a substantially increased starting salary.
Undergraduate credits: 127; Double count credits: 9; Graduate credits: 30.
Requirements for the 4+1 BS ISE-MS SS Program
| Fourth Year/Fall Semester | Credits |
| ISE 420 Optimization and Operations Research II | 4 |
| ISE 421 Modeling and Simulation | 4 |
| ISE 470 Industrial Automation | 4 |
| ISE 491 Systems Design | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Year/Spring Semester | Credits |
| ISE 492 Systems Design Project | 4 |
| SSIE 5XX Approved Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| SSIE 5XX Approved Graduate Elective 2 | 3 |
| SSIE 5XX Approved Graduate Elective 3 | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
| Graduate Year/Fall Semester | Credits |
| SSIE 500 Computational Tools | 3 |
| SSIE 501 Introduction to Systems Science | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 4 | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 5 or SSIE 599 Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Graduate Year/Spring Semester | Credits |
| SSIE 520 Modeling and Simulation or SSIE 523 Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems | 3 |
| SSIE 600-level Approved Graduate Elective 6 | 3 |
| SSIE Approved Graduate Elective 7 / SSIE 598 MS Termination Project / SSIE 599 Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
4+1 Program Concentrations
Students in the Industrial and Systems Engineering or Systems Science 4+1 programs can also participate in the following concentrations:
- Health Systems
- Executive Health Systems - Manhattan
- Engineering Management (ISE only)
4+1 BS ISE-MBA Program
Students have the opportunity to complete both the BS in industrial and systems engineering and a master of business administration (MBA) in five years. Students should see the Watson College Advising Office for questions regarding the curriculum for the undergraduate degree and the School of Management graduate advising office for questions regarding the MBA program.