Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics Contiguous Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
4+1 Contiguous Pathway leading to the SciCAM M.S. Degree
The 4+1 pathway into the SciCAM M.S. program is an option that allows undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz to take the SciCAM foundational courses (AM 100, AM 112, AM 114, AM 129, and AM 147) during their undergraduate degree in preparation to join the 1-year track of the SciCAM program. Undergraduate students currently enrolled in approved programs have the opportunity, any time between the start of their junior year and the end of the fall quarter of their senior year, to join the 4+1 contiguous pathway leading to the SciCAM degree program. Approved programs are:
- B.S. in Applied Mathematics
- B.S. in Astrophysics
- B.S. in Computer Engineering
- B.S. in Computer Science
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering
- B.A. in Mathematics (pure and computational)
- B.S. in Physics
- B.S in Robotics Engineering
Qualified undergraduates from other undergraduate majors may also apply to the 4+1 pathway and their applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission into the 4+1 pathway are (1) a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, and (2) to have taken, or to have a plan to take, at least four of the five SciCAM foundational courses before the end of their senior year. The five foundational courses are: AM 100 (Mathematical Methods for Engineers III), AM 112 (Introduction to Partial Differential Equations), AM 114 (Introduction to Dynamical Systems), AM 129 (Foundations of Scientific Computing for Scientists and Engineers), and AM 147 (Computational Methods and Applications). Note that some of the foundational courses are waived depending on the student’s major, or can be substituted by other courses on a case by case basis, with approval from the 4+1 coordinator.
Interested students should schedule a meeting with the SciCAM 4+1 pathway director to discuss their curriculum plan and fill the application form, following the guideline on the 4+1 pathway website. The ultimate deadline for application to the pathway is Dec. 1 of the senior year, although students are encouraged to apply significantly earlier, ideally at the same time as their major declaration.
Students in the pathway apply to SciCAM through the regular M.S. application process and are not guaranteed admission, although we do expect to admit anyone who has passed all the foundational courses and has maintained a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Program Requirements
Once accepted into the SciCAM program, students from the pathway will follow the same requirements as students in the regular SciCAM program (please refer to the SciCAM catalog page), but on an accelerated one-year track with anticipated graduation in spring of their M.S. year for Plan II (comprehensive exam track) students, and the end of the summer of their M.S. year for Plan I (thesis track) students. Students must complete at least 35 credits once matriculated as a graduate student. Plan II (comprehensive exam track) students may not count independent research courses toward the 35-credit minimum.
Relationship of SciCAM Masters program and AM Doctoral Program
Students in the SciCAM M.S. program interested in an academic career will be strongly encouraged to apply to the AM Ph.D. program upon completion of their SciCAM M.S. degree. Applications are reviewed in the standard academic cycle. Students interested in applying to the AM Ph.D. program are encouraged to discuss this option with the graduate director in the fall of each year.
Transfer of Credit
Up to three 5-credit UC Santa Cruz courses fulfilling the degree requirements of the SciCAM program may be taken before beginning the graduate program. However, the credits themselves cannot be transferred and students will still need to take courses totaling 35 credits while being graduate students to satisfy the university requirements. Note that the three course limit does not apply to the five foundational courses (AM 100, AM 112, AM 114, AM 129, and AM 147), which may all be taken prior to the start of the SciCAM program without penalty.
Review of Academic Progress
Each year, the faculty reviews the progress of every student in the graduate programs. Students are expected to be within normative time to degree to be in good academic standing. A graduate student receiving a grade of C+, C, D, or F in any course will not be able to use the credit for that course to satisfy any course requirement for the graduate degree. Graduate students that receive a C+, C, D, or F in any course are considered to have failed this course. Students who fail more than one course may be placed on academic notice. If their progress does not improve after an additional quarter, their case will be reviewed by the graduate committee who may recommend dismissal from the program. Any failed graduate core course must be made up at the next available opportunity.