Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)

LEAP Faculty Coordinator Daniel Cole, ad interim

Manager of Financial Aid and LEAP Helaine Friedlander

Faculty Advisors Catherine Klapperich, Materials Science & Engineering; Daniel Cole, Mechanical; Andrew Jackson, Biomedical; Mark N. Horenstein, Electrical, Computer, and Photonics; James Perkins, 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, electrical, manufacturing, materials science & engineering, mechanical, photonics, or systems 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 & 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. 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 site.

Applicants to the LEAP Program should refer to the Instructions for LEAP (Late Entry Accelerated Program) Applicants in the application.

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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 General Physics I
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I
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 Probability Theory in Electrical and Computer Engineering
ENG BE 209 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology
ENG BE 401 Signals and Systems in Biomedical Engineering
ENG BE 491 Engineering Physiology Lab I (2 cr)

Choose a, b, or c:

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 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 (2 cr) or
CAS MA 142 Introduction to Linear Algebra (2 cr) and

CAS MA 193 Discrete Mathematics for Engineering (2 cr)
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
ENG EC 327 Introduction to Software Engineering
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG EC 413 Computer Organization

Choose two of the following:

ENG EC 330 Applied Algorithms for Engineers
ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in ECE
ENG EC 440 Introduction to Operating Systems
ENG EC 441 Introduction to Computer Networking
ENG EC 447 Software Design
ENG EC 450 Microprocessors

Electrical Engineering

Core Courses

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in Electrical and Computer Engineering
CAS PY 211 General Physics I
ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory
ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG EC 410 Introduction to Electronics

Track Courses—choose one track (a) through (e):

1. Bioelectric—Select three of the following:
   CAS PY 212 General Physics II
   CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
   ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
   ENG BE 402 Control Systems in Biomedical Engineering or
   ENG EC 402 Control Systems
   ENG EC 412 Analog Electronics
   ENG EC 416 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing
2. Computer
   ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design
   ENG EC 413 Computer Organization
   ENG EC 450 Microprocessors
3. Electromagnetics
   CAS PY 212 General Physics II
   ENG EC 455 Electromagnetic Systems I
   ENG EC 456 Electromagnetic Systems II
4. Electronics
   CAS PY 212 General Physics II
   CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
   ENG EC 471 Physics of Semiconductor Devices
5. Information Systems
   ENG EC 402 Control Systems
   ENG EC 415 Communication Systems
   ENG EC 416 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing

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Materials Science & Engineering

Core Courses

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 General Physics I
CAS PY 212 General Physics II
CAS PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I
ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics
ENG ME/ Introduction to Materials Science
MS 306

Track Courses—choose one track (a) through (c):

1. Biomaterials
   CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry
   CAS CH 172 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry
2. Materials for Energy and Environment or Nanomaterials
   CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences
   ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials
3. Electronic/Photonic Materials
   CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences
   ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory

Mechanical Engineering with a Manufacturing Concentration

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS PY 211 General Physics I
ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I
ENG ME 304 Energy and Thermodynamics or
ENG EK 424 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
ENG ME 305 Mechanics of Materials
ENG ME/ Introduction to Materials Science
MS 306
ENG ME 308 Statistics and Quality Engineering
ENG ME 345 Automation and Manufacturing Methods
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 General Physics I
ENG EK 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

Choose two of the following:

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 General Physics I
CAS PY 212 General 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

Systems Engineering

Students with a BS degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics or Computer Science may apply directly to the MS degree program in Systems Engineering.

Students with other bachelors degrees need to complete the following coursework before entry into the Systems Engineering MS, MEng, or PhD program.

ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation
CAS MA 124 Calculus II
CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus
CAS MA 226 Differential Equations
CAS MA 142 Linear Algebra (2 cr)
CAS MA 193 Discrete Mathematics for Engineering (2 cr)

Select one (1) of the following list:

ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in Electrical and Computer Engineering
CAS MA 381 Elementary Probability
ENG ME 308 Probability and Quality Engineering
ENG EK 500 Probability with Statistical Applications

Select one (1) of the following list:

ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems
ENG BE 401 Signals and Systems in Biomedical Engineering

Select one (1) of the following list:

ENG ME 411 Operations Research
ENG EC 330 Applied Algorithms for Engineers
CAS CS 330 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms

Select three (3) of the following list:

ENG EC 402 Control Systems or
ENG ME 404 Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems or
ENG BE 402 Control Systems in Biomedical
Engineering
ENG EC 415 Communication Systems
ENG EC 441 Introduction to Computer Networking
ENG ME 420 Supply Chain Engineering
CAS CS 455 Computer Networks

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.

Coursework used to satisfy Phase I requirements may not be used for credit toward the MS or MEng degree.

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16 October 2009
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