Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor’s degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year). Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees, students receive a master’s degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master’s degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor’s–accelerated master’s program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS in Chemical Engineering or Chemical and Biological Engineering, MS in Chemical Engineering

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to our BAM program, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.00 is required
  • Have no MAPS deficiencies
  • Have at least junior class standing
  • Completion of the following five CHEN core courses with a minimum grade of B- in each course: CHEN 2120, CHEN 3200, CHEN 3210, CHEN 3320, CHEN 3010

Program Requirements

Master’s degree requirements: A total of 30 course credit hours is required to receive a non-thesis Master’s degree. This includes nine CORE Chemical Engineering course credit hours and the remaining 21 course credits must be department approved technical electives.  ChBE will allow BAM students to include 12 hours of coursework (as an undergraduate and at undergraduate tuition rates) which can later be applied to the accelerated Master’s degree (a maximum of six credit hours of 3000/4000 level electives may count toward the Master’s degree).  Pass/fail courses do not count towards our graduate degrees. Only those courses for which the student receives a grade of ‘B-‘ or better will count toward the MS degree. The student must maintain a 3.00 GPA at all times.

The following CORE course and seminar are required for any Master’s degree plan in Chemical Engineering.

  • CHEN 5210: Transport Phenomena
  • CHEN 5370: Intermediate Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  • CHEN 5390: Chemical Reaction Engineering

Applying to the BAM Program

BAM Policies and procedures are found on the Registrar’s website. The following application material must be included in the BAM intent application.

  • The GRE is not required.
  • Provide a resume.
  • Provide an unofficial transcript.
  • Provide a one-page Statement of Purpose. The statement should describes briefly your past work in the field, including non-course educational experiences, teaching, or other relevant employment, publication, theses, research in progress, other scholarly activities, and your plans for graduate study and a professional career.

Applications will not be accepted that do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.

The application deadline for fall admission is February 1. The deadline for spring admission is October 1

Once admitted to the program, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in all CHEN undergraduate and graduate courses to remain in good academic standing. Students must be enrolled full-time.

Questions?

Undergraduate students should contact their undergraduate academic advisor to learn more about the BAM program. Students are also welcome to contact ChBE Graduate Program Coordinator (chbegrad@colorado.edu) to learn more about the master’s program and to determine their eligibility for admission to the BAM program.

More information about BAM programs, policies, and forms may be found on the Registrar's Office web site as well as the Graduate School's web site.