Beginning in Autumn 2003, the Computer Science department will offer a post-baccalaureate certificate program for students with a bachelor's degree in a different field who wish to prepare for graduate school or a career in Computer Science. Students who complete the program may apply to the combined post-baccalaureate/M.A. program.

Curriculum

The goal of the post-baccalaureate program is to provide an opportunity for college graduates to return to school for one year of concentrated study in which they complete all of the requirements for a rigorous undergraduate major in Computer Science. The standard course sequence is as shown below:

• Summer Courses
  • Cosi 11a: Introduction to Programming in Java and C
  • Cosi 21a: Data Structures and the Fundamentals of Computing
• Autumn Courses
  • Cosi 29a: Discrete Structures
  • Cosi 31a: Computer Structure and Organization
  • Cosi elective
  • Cosi elective
• Spring Courses
  • Cosi 21b: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
  • Cosi 30a: Introduction to the Theory of Computation
  • Cosi elective
  • Cosi elective

Students who complete the post-baccalauareate program are able to apply for the Combined Post-Baccalaureate/M.A. Program in which they stay an additional year taking six graduate level courses and graduate with an MA in Computer Science.

Post-Baccalaureate students with a programming background may ask to be exempted from the introductory courses: Cosi 11a, 21a. They may also submit a petition to replace core courses (in which they have previous work experience or study) with electives. Students with no previous background are encouraged to take the introductory courses in Summer School and then complete the remaining core and elective courses during the following academic year.

Applying to the program

All students who have completed a Bachelor's degree in a field other than Computer Science are able to apply for the Post-Baccalaureate program in Computer Science. To apply for the program, you need to submit transcripts from your undergraduate degree, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and complete an application to the graduate school, available at http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/apply/.

Tuition

The tuition for the summer school courses is set by the summer school (and students may take the equivalent courses at other schools). The academic year tuition and fees are set by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences ( http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas ). There are several sources of financial aid available. Computer Science students normally receive a 50% scholarship. The 2002-2003 graduate tuition in Computer Science with the 50% scholarship was $6836 per semester.