BS CS / MS CSEM Integrated Degree

The 5-year Integrated Program in CS & CSEM enables students with strong academic records to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) and a Master of Science in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (MSCSEM) within a five-year period. The BS in Computer Science provides students with a strong foundation in computing. The MS in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics complements the Department of Computer Science’s focus on data with a strong emphasis on mathematics, scientific computing, and applications of computing to real-world problems. The CSEM Master's Program is a highly interdisciplinary program and consists of three concentration areas: Area A — applicable mathematics; Area B — numerical analysis and scientific computation; and Area C — mathematical modeling and applications. The integrated BS CS / MS CSEM program will provide students with a well-rounded education enabling them to not only understand the fundamental science of computing, but how computing is used to tackle challenging problems.

Talented, high achieving juniors may apply to the BS CS / MS CSEM Integrated Program; students should be in the spring semester of their junior year at the time of application and be within 12 hours of finishing their undergraduate courses. The BS CS Option IV degree requires a total of 120 hours. The MS CSEM degree associated with this program requires a total of 30 hours, which includes a Master's Report. Combined, the degrees total 150 hours, spread out over five years. Students may only be admitted for the fall term. Applications are open only to currently enrolled, degree-seeking computer science majors at the University of Texas at Austin.

During the senior year (Stage One), students admitted to the program will continue to be enrolled as undergraduates in the College of Natural Sciences. They will apply to the Graduate School during the senior year, for admission as graduate students in the fifth year (Stage Two). The BS CS and MS CSEM degrees will be simultaneously awarded upon completion of the MS CSEM degree requirements.

View a sample degree plan.

Program Requirements

The BSCS Option IV (integrated program) degree requires a total of 120 hours. Contact the CS advisors for the BS degree program requirements.

The MSCSEM degree requires a total of 30 hours (27 hours coursework + 3 hours Master’s Report). A minimum of 24 credit hours must be taken for a grade in the three CSEM concentration areas, which are denoted as Area A (applicable mathematics), Area B (numerical analysis and scientific computation), and Area C (mathematical modeling and applications). Approved courses for each Area are listed on the CSEM Course Information page.

CSEM Master's requirements (30 credit hours total):

27 hours approved coursework:

6 hours (2 courses) taken from Area A
6 hours (2 courses) taken from Area B
6 hours (2 courses) taken from Area C
6 hours (2 courses) taken from Area A, B, or C
3 hours (1 course) taken from Area A, B, or C; or any elective course approved by the CSEM Graduate Advisor

3 hours Master's Report

For the MSCSEM degree, no more than 6 hours may be at the upper-division level and any upper-division courses counted for the MS degree must be taken in stage 2 of the program (when the student is designated as a graduate student). The Graduate School does not allow upper-division courses taken as an undergraduate student to be counted on a Master's Program of Work.

The Graduate School rules state that no more than 20 percent of the hours listed on the Master's Program of Work may be earned on the credit/no credit basis; Report courses are not included in the 20 percent.

The Master's Report is prepared under the guidance of a supervising committee with two or more members, one of whom is designated as the supervisor. The supervisor must be a member of the CSEM Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). The second committee member may be designated as a co-supervisor or a reader. The Report is subject to the approval of the committee and ultimately of the graduate dean.

— Application Deadline: January 21, 2025 —

Eligibility

Student must be currently enrolled in the Computer Science undergraduate program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Student should be within 12 hours of completing their undergraduate courses at the time of application.
Student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Application Materials

Online application form (link below)
Recommendations (2 required) — use the Reference Request form to submit contact information for your references. You should complete this form by January 6 to give your references adequate time to respond by the application deadline.
Statement of Purpose — Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your specific interest in Computational Science & Engineering, and your academic and professional interests and goals (1-2 pages).
Resume
List of publications (optional)

APPLY NOW — BS CS / MS CSEM Application Form

(All materials will be collected via the application form)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between stage one and stage two of the program?

During stage one (the student’s fourth year), the student is registered in the CS BS integrated program major code and is classified as an undergraduate student. During stage two (the student’s fifth year), the student is registered in the MS CSE integrated program major code and is classified as a graduate student.
Is the GRE required to move to stage two?

Normally, the GRE is required for all applicants to the Graduate School, however, the CS/CSEM joint degree program has received a waiver of this requirement.
Is there a limit to how many graduate level courses can be taken as an undergraduate student (stage one)?

Yes, students in the integrated program may take no more than 6 hours of graduate level courses per semester during stage one. The Graduate School limits the total number of credits that may be reserved for graduate credit to 12 hours.
If I finish my undergraduate courses early may I take more graduate level courses in stage one?

No. Students will not be allowed to take more than 6 hours of graduate level courses per semester during stage one.
If I finish my undergraduate courses early can I move to stage two early?

No. Students may not enter stage two prior to the Fall of their 5th year.
How do I move to stage two?

In the Fall of the 4th year (stage one), students will submit a graduate application to the MS CSEM integrated program. At the conclusion of stage one (May of the 4th year), student progress will be evaluated. If satisfactory progress is being made, student will be admitted to stage two beginning Fall of the 5th year.
How many credit hours can be taken once a student is in stage two?

Graduate students in the integrated program are limited to 9 credit hours per semester (three 3-hour classes). This is a full-time course load for a graduate student. Exceptions will only be made in rare and unusual circumstances with the approval of the Graduate Adviser.
Is enrollment in courses outside of the CSE department guaranteed?

We cannot guarantee that graduate courses offered by other departments will be available to integrated program students. We will work closely with the CS department to ensure that CS courses recommended by the CSE graduate adviser will be made available to students in the integrated program.
How is tuition determined for students in the integrated program?

In the 4th year, the student remains enrolled in the undergraduate program major code and tuition rate will be calculated based on the student’s undergraduate status. In the 5th year, the student will be enrolled in the integrated program graduate major code and will be classified as a graduate student. Tuition will be calculated based on the student’s graduate status.

Tuition information may be found at: https://onestop.utexas.edu/managing-costs/cost-tuition-rates/. Graduate students in the CSEM program are charged the Engineering tuition rate, therefore, when using the tuition calculator, students should select "Cockrell School of Engineering" from the College or School drop-down menu.
Is there financial aid available for students in the integrated program?

The CSEM Program does not have funding available for Master's students. Students may contact faculty for possible Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) positions once they have entered stage 2 of the program (graduate student status). GRA positions are managed directly by the hiring faculty supervisor.