Gildart Haase School of Engineering offers a 4 plus 1 program that allows qualified students to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a pathway to the Master of Science (MS) in computer science. In particular, three graduate courses: CSCI6623 Database Systems (3 credits), CSCI6638 Operating Systems (3 credits), and CSCI6731 Computer Networks (3 credits), when successfully completed under the 4 Plus 1 program, can be credited toward both the BS and the MS degrees. This 4 Plus 1 program is offered at the Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, New Jersey.

The 4+1 BSEE/MSCS program is an accelerated academic pathway that merges rigorous hardware foundations with advanced software expertise to create highly versatile tech professionals.

Why Pursue a Combined BSEE/MSCS?

  • Bridging Hardware & Software: The integration of electrical engineering and computer science makes graduates highly desirable for specialized, high-growth fields like embedded systems, autonomous vehicles, and AI hardware acceleration.
  • Time & Cost Efficiency: By overlapping certain courses and using senior undergraduate electives to count toward graduate requirements, students shave a full year off the traditional timeline.
  • Premium Starting Salaries: Employers value candidates with combined EE/CS expertise. Roles in ASIC design, embedded systems, machine learning hardware, and FPGA programming often command higher starting salaries and faster career advancement.

The program requires successful completion of 142 (=121 for BSEE & 21 for MSCS) credits.

Students who have completed the first 15 credits of the electrical engineering program with a grade point average (CGPR) of 3.00 or better (in electrical engineering courses) are eligible to apply for the combined B.S.-M.S. five-year program.

Applications should be submitted before the student has completed 27 credits of electrical engineering courses. Upon completion of their undergraduate degree, students who have maintained a 3.00 GPA in their electrical engineering courses will be admitted to the graduate computer science program.

For degree completion, the MS in computer science degree requires a minimum CGPR of 2.75.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication (s), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Educational Objectives

Graduates of this 4+1-degree program will demonstrate the following attributes and achievements before or upon graduation:

  1. Gain and apply the knowledge of Engineering and Computer Science theory to analyze problems, assess the trade-offs, and develop creative solutions.
  2. Continue their professional development by engaging in professional activities; taking industrial training courses; and pursuing computing and engineering certifications.
  3. Work effectively in teams and communicate with diverse audiences.
  4. Become responsible professionals and global citizens who are aware of ethical issues and societal needs and problems.
  5. Develop professionally and innovate with the deployment of computer engineering technology.

These objectives are consistent with the mission of Fairleigh Dickinson University to educate and prepare students as world citizens through global education. They also fulfill the needs of our constituents, which include students, alumni, employers, faculty and the Industrial Advisory Board.

Degree Plan

1st Semester (15 credits)

  • ENGR1301 Engineering Practices, Graphics and Design (3 credits)
  • MATH1201 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • PHYS2201 Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PHYS2203 University Physics I Lecture (3 credits)
  • UNIV1001 Transitioning to University Life (1 credit)
  • WRIT1002 Composition I: Rhetoric and Inquiry (3 credits)

2nd Semester (18 credits)

  • ENGR1204 Programming Languages in Engineering (3 credits)
  • ENGR2286 Digital System Design (3 credits)
  • MATH2202 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • PHYS2202 Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • PHYS2204 University Physics II Lecture (3 credits)
  • UNIV1002 Preparing for Professional Life (1 credit)
  • WRIT1003 Composition II: Research and Argument (3 credits)

3rd Semester (15 credits)

  • EENG2221 Signals and Systems I (3 credits)
  • EENG2287 Microprocessor System Design I (3 credits)
  • ENGR3200 Advanced Engineering Programming (3 credits)
  • MATH2210 Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • UNIV2001 Cross Cultural Perspectives (3 credits)

4th Semester (15 credits)

  • EENG2222 Signals and Systems II (3 credits)
  • EENG3288 Microprocessor System Design II (3 credits)
  • ENGR2210 Technical Communications (3 credits)
  • ENGR4221 Engineering Statistics and Reliability (3 credits)
  • UNIV2002 Global Issues (3 credits)

5th Semester (15 credits)

  • EENG3223 Linear Systems (3 credits)
  • EENG3265 Electronics I (3 credits)
  • EENG4375 Electrical Energy Conversion (3 credits)
  • MATH2203 Calculus III (3 credits)
  • ENGR4210 Managerial and Engineering Economic Analysis (3 credits)

6th Semester (16 credits)

  • CHEM1201 General Chemistry I Lecture (3 credits)
  • CHEM1203 General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit)
  • EENG3224 Digital Signal Processing (3 credits)
  • EENG3266 Electronics II (3 credits)
  • ENGR3000 Modern Technologies: Principles, Applications and Impacts (3 credits)
  • ENGR3341 Advanced Engineering Mathematics (3 credits)

7th Semester (13 credits)

  • CSCI6731 Computer Networks (3 Credits)
  • EENG3244 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (3 credits)
  • EENG3267 Electronics III (3 credits)
  • EENG4260 Preparation for Electrical Engineering Project (1 credit)
  • EENG4355 Analog and Digital Control (3 credits)

8th Semester (14 credits)

  • CSCI2234 Data Structures & Algorithms (3 credits)
  • CSCI6623 Database Systems (3 credits)
  • CSC6638 Operating Systems (3 credits) 
  • EENG4268 Electrical Engineering Project (2 credits)
  • EENG4341 Communication Systems (3 credits)

Graduate Elective Courses (12 Credits)

CSCI elective courses range from CSCI6617-8891. Please consult an academic advisor for additional details regarding electives or consult FDU Graduate Bulletin. Students have the option of registering for a 3-credit internship (CSCI8891) after completing 18 graduate credits. The internship will count as a one-course elective.

Contact Information
Kalyan Mondal PhD, Director
mondal@fdu.edu