Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)
LEAP Phase I Course Requirements By Major
Biomedical Engineering
Computer Systems Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Manfacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Photonics
LEAP Curriculum in Systems Engineering
LEAP Faculty Coordinator William Oliver
Manager of Financial Aid and LEAP Helaine Friedlander
Faculty Advisors Soumendra Basu, Materials Science and Engineering; Daniel Cole, Mechanical; Andrew Jackson, Biomedical; William Oliver, Electrical, Computer Systems, and Photonics; Pirooz Vakili, Systems
Working professionals who seek new job opportunities recognize engineering as the ideal gateway to a fast-paced career in high technology. Many such opportunities, however, are inaccessible to individuals who lack a degree in engineering. For over twenty-five years, the Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP) at Boston University has allowed talented individuals and working professionals who have bachelor's degrees in non-engineering fields to earn graduate degrees in engineering. Originally funded by a 1980 grant from the National Science Foundation as a means to attract more women into engineering, the program has admitted both men and women since 1985 and is supported by Boston University.
LEAP students may choose from any of the College's graduate programs in biomedical, computer systems, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical, or photonics engineering. A LEAP student first takes core undergraduate engineering courses to achieve a fundamental level of proficiency (Phase I), then advances to Master's degree candidacy in a chosen field of engineering (Phase II). The required undergraduate courses are determined individually for each applicant based on prior undergraduate degree coursework and work experience. Some students—physics undergraduates, for example—usually require only three or four undergraduate courses before proceeding to the Master's program. Other students, such as social science or business majors, typically need additional undergraduate coursework. Undergraduate courses required for LEAP vary with field of study but cover such topics as computer programming, electric circuit theory, engineering mechanics, signals and systems, electronics, fluid mechanics, probability and statistics, engineering electives, and other science or mathematics courses as necessary. Sample core curricula are listed below by engineering major.
Admission to LEAP requires that the applicant have at least one prior college calculus course with a grade of B or better, suitable scores on the general Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and a strong motivation for advanced study.
Courses taken to satisfy Phase I LEAP requirements may not be used to satisfy Phase II MS requirements.
After meeting individualized undergraduate core curriculum requirements, LEAP students apply to a Master's degree program in biomedical, computer systems, electrical, materials science and engineering, mechanical, mechanical/manufacturing, photonics, or systems engineering. Students with Phase I grade point averages of 3.2 or higher are guaranteed admission to the Master's program in their chosen field of study. Students with a grade point average of less than 3.2 must submit an application for admission to be reviewed by the Graduate Committee in the department of choice. Most students who maintain a grade point average of 3.0 for Phase I courses successfully make the transition to the Phase II Master's program. The academic progress of LEAP students is monitored each semester.
The MS degree program usually can be completed in one year of additional full-time study once all required undergraduate courses have been completed. Upon completion of either Phase I or Phase II studies, LEAP students may also choose to apply to a PhD program in engineering at Boston University. LEAP students may apply for several forms of financial assistance as described in the Financial Information section of this bulletin.
Applicants to the LEAP Program should refer to the Instructions for LEAP (Late Entry Accelerated Program) Applicants in the application.
LEAP PHASE I COURSE REQUIREMENTS BY MAJOR
In addition to the entry requirement of a semester of college calculus with a grade of B or better, students must complete the courses listed below or present evidence of previous equivalent coursework. Depending on prior educational performance and background, a student may be asked to complete additional courses as part of the admissions process. The following curricula represent the minimum number of courses necessary to complete Phase I.
Biomedical Engineering
ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 Physics I
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I or
ENG EC 410 Introduction to Electronics
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences
ENG BE 200 Introduction to Probability or
ENG EC 381 Elementary Probability
ENG BE 209 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology
ENG BE 401 Signals and Systems
ENG BE 491 Engineering Physiology Lab I (2 cr)
a. ENG BE 402 Control Systems in Biomedical Engineering
b. ENG BE 420 Introduction to Solid Biomechanics
c. ENG BE 436 Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
Computer Systems Engineering
ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
ENG EK 102 Introduction to Linear Algebra for Engineers or
CAS MA 142 Linear Algebra (2 cr)
and
CAS MA 193 Discrete Mathematics (2 cr)
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
ENG EC 327 Introduction to Software Engineering
ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
ENG EC 312 Computer Organization
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in ECE
ENG EC 440 Introduction to Operating Systems
ENG EC 441 Computer Communication and Networks
ENG EC 447 Software Design
ENG EC 450 Microprocessors
Electrical Engineering
Core CoursesENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
ENG EC 381 Probability
CAS PY 211 Physics I
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG EC 410 Introduction to Electronics
- Bioelectric—Select three of the following:
CAS PY 212 Physics II
CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
ENG EC 402 Control Systems
ENG EC 412 Analog Electronics
ENG EC 416 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing - Computer
ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
ENG EC 312 Computer Organization
ENG EC 450 Microprocessors - Electromagnetics
CAS PY 212 Physics II
ENG EC 455 Electromagnetic Systems I
ENG EC 456 Electromagnetic Systems II - Electronics
CAS PY 212 Physics II
CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
ENG EC 471 Physics of Semiconductor Devices - Information Systems
ENG EC 402 Control Systems
ENG EC 415 Communication Systems
ENG EC 416 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing
Materials Science & Engineering
Core CoursesENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 Physics I
CAS PY 212 Physics II
CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I
ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics
ENG ME 306 Materials Science
- Biomaterials
CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry
CAS CH 172 Principles of Organic Chemistry - Materials for Energy and Environment or Nanomaterials
CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences
ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials - Electronic/Photonic Materials
CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
Manufacturing Engineering
ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 Physics I
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I
ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics
or
ENG EK 424 Thermodynamics
ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials
ENG ME 306 Materials Science
ENG ME 308 Statistics and Quality Engineering
ENG ME 345 Automated Manufacturing
ENG ME 415 Product Design
Mechanical Engineering
ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 Physics I
ENG ME 301 Engineering Mechanics I
ENG ME 302 Engineering Mechanics II
ENG ME 303 Fluid Mechanics
ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials
ENG ME 400 Engineering Mathematics
ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics
ENG ME 309 Structural Mechanics
ENG ME 404 Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems
ENG ME 419 Heat Transfer
Photonics
ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 Physics I
CAS PY 212 Physics II
CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG EC 410 Introduction to Electronics
ENG EC 455 Electromagnetic Systems I
ENG EC 456 Electromagnetic Systems II
LEAP Curriculum in Systems Engineering
There are no LEAP requirements for students with a BS degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics or Computer Science.
Students without a BS degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, or Computer Science need to complete the following coursework before entry into the Systems Engineering MS, MEng, or PhD program.
1. ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
2. CAS MA 124 Calculus II
3. CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
4. CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
5. CAS MA 142 Linear Algebra (2 cr)
6. CAS MA 193 Discrete Mathematics for Engineering (2 cr)
7. Select one (1) course from the following list:
ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in Electrical and
Computer Engineering (MA 225)
CAS MA 381 Elementary Probability (MA 225 or MA 230)
ENG ME 308 Probability and Quality Engineering (MA 225)
ENG EK 500 Probability with Statistical Applications (MA 226)
8. Select one (1) course from the following list:
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems (MA 226, EK 307)
ENG BE 401 Signals and Systems in Biomedical Engineering (BE 200, MA 226, EK 307)
9. Select one (1) course from the following list:
ENG ME 411 Operations Research (ME 308 or MA 381), (EK 102 or MA 142), or
ENG EC 330 Applied Algorithms for Engineers (EC 327 & MA 193), or
CAS CS 330 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms (CS 112, CS 113; coreq: MA 242 or CS 232; MA 294 or CS 235; or consent of instructor)
10–12. Select three (3) courses from the following list:
ENG EC 402 Control Systems (MA 226, EK 307), or
ENG ME 404 Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems (ME 302 or consent of instructor), or
ENG BE 402 Control Systems in Biomedical Engineering (BE 401)
ENG EC 415 Communication Systems (EC 401)
ENG EC 441 Introduction to Computer Networking (EC 381, EC 401)
ENG ME 420 Supply Chain Engineering (ME 345 or consent of instructor)
CAS CS 455 Computer Networks (CS 330, CAS CS 350 or consent of instructor)
Note: Only one of ENG EC 402, ENG ME 404, or ENG BE 402 is acceptable. Some choices of courses listed above may require additional prerequisite coursework.
Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
9 December 2008
Boston University
Questions
Credits