IDE Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) Programs

Integrated Design Engineering majors with an Emphasis in Mechanical or Environmental Engineering are eligible for an IDE Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Program in their respective area of Emphasis: 

The BAM program offers currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a shorter period of time. Students complete and receive their bachelor’s degree first, and begin taking up to 12 credits 5000-level graduate coursework as undergraduates, typically in their senior year.

Because up to 6 credits of 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 BS.

General information on BAM programs, policies and forms may be found on the Registrar’s Office BAM program website. 

Advantages of the BAM Program 

  • Complete a Professional Master’s degree program faster 
    • BAM students can complete up to 12 graduate-level graduate credits while still in their undergraduate programs and later apply these to their master’s degree requirements. Of these graduate-level credits, 6 can be double-counted for both the BS and MS degree programs.. 
  • Pay less overall tuition 
    • Graduate programs are typically more expensive per credit than undergraduate programs. BAM offers students an opportunity to complete graduate level coursework at undergrad tuition rates before formally transitioning to the master’s program. 
  • Easy application with no fees 
    • Standalone master’s programs require a more extensive application process including letters of recommendations and fees. The BAM application is an easy, straightforward form with minimal supplemental documents required. See below for more information on applying. 

Is a BAM right for you? 

Pursuing a graduate degree is a commitment and should be considered carefully. Contact Career Services for information on the advantages of a master’s degree relative to your personal and career goals. 

Applying to an IDE Program BAM

Applying to a BAM program is a two-step process, requiring first an Intent application and then a separate, later application to the specific Graduate program. IDE majors with an Emphasis in Mechanical or Environmental Engineering should contact their undergraduate academic advisor to determine their eligibility for BAM program admission. 

  • Admissions Requirements:
    • ​Admissions requirements include:
      • GPA of 3.250 or higher
      • at least junior standing with a minimum of 60 credit hours of completed coursework that includes program-specific requisites.
      • International students must have approval from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to matriculation into graduate school. 
      • See more details in the program descriptions below. 
    • Intent application form:
      •  Students must signal their intent to pursue a BAM early in the junior year by completing the .
        • For your undergraduate program, select INTEGRATED DESIGN ENGINEERING (IDEN-BSIDE)
        • For Environmental engineering, select ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL (EVEN-MSENV:C-IDENEVEP)
        • For Mechanical Engineering, select MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL (MCEN-MSME:C-IDENMCEP)
    • Graduate School application:
      • Students complete three steps to continue with the Professional Master’s degree in their emphasis master’s degree early in the semester when undergraduate requirements will be completed:
        • .
        • .
        •  to identify which courses you're double counting and which you're using toward the master's degree. 
      • The last day to complete all three steps is:
        • Oct. 1 for fall graduates
        • Feb. 1 for spring graduates
        • March 1 for summer graduates
    • Advance to Graduate status:
      • Students must apply to advance to graduate status by completing the master’s continuation form, with different deadlines depending on their desired time of enrollment. Students will matriculate into the master’s program without additional departmental review, as long as they meet the basic continuation requirement of a 3.25 cumulative GPA. International students must have approval from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to matriculation. 

Most students in the BAM program will complete the requirements of the Professional MS program. Students admitted to a BAM program with a MS Professional program can be switched to its MS Thesis program if they notify the graduate program that they have secured a thesis advisor and wish to complete the requirements of the MS Thesis program. 

BS in Integrated Design Engineering and Professional MS in Mechanical Engineering 

Admissions Requirements 

To gain admission to the IDE to Mechanical Engineering BAM program, a student must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a current Integrated Design Engineering major with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering · Have submitted the BAM intent application, typically in the spring of the junior year 
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.250 or higher 
  • Have at least junior standing and a minimum of 60 credit hours of completed coursework 
  • Have no Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) deficiencies. (Students who matriculated in Summer 2023 or later will not need to meet MAPS as a part of BAM admission requirements.) 
  • Have completed courses from the three following categories with a grade of C (2.00) or higher at the time of admission: 
    • Mathematics (one of the following):
      • APPM 2360 Intro to Differential Equations w/Linear Algebra
      • MATH 2130 (Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors) AND MATH 3430 (Ordinary Differential Equations)
      • MATH 2135 (Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors) AND MATH 3430 (Ordinary Differential Equations) 
    • Fluid Mechanics (one of the following):
      • MCEN 3021 Fluid Mechanics
      • CVEN 3313 Theoretical Fluid Mechanics
      • CHEN 3200 Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics 
    • Thermodynamics (one of the following):
      • GEEN 3852 Thermodynamics for Engineers
      • MCEN 3012 Thermodynamics
      • CHEN 3320 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
      • EVEN 3012 Thermodynamics 1 

Program Requirements 

Students may take up to and including 12 credits of graduate coursework while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree in Integrated Design Engineering, and also apply to continue with the professional master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed. 

There are no specific constraints regarding the selection of 5000-level MCEN courses, as long as the student fulfills the required pre-requisites. To determine the most suitable courses, students should consult with the Mechanical Engineering graduate advisor. 

BS in Integrated Design Engineering and Professional MS in Environmental Engineering 

Admissions Requirements 

To gain admission to IDE to Environmental Engineering BAM program, named above, a student must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a current Integrated Design Engineering major with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering · Have submitted the BAM intent application, typically in the spring of the junior year 
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.250 or higher 
  • Have at least junior standing and a minimum of 60 credit hours of completed coursework 
  • Have no Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) deficiencies. (Students who matriculated in Summer 2023 or later will not need to meet MAPS as a part of BAM admission requirements.) 
  • Have completed the two following environmental emphasis courses with a grade of C (2.00) or higher at the time of admission:
    • CVEN 3414 Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering
    • CVEN 3313 Theoretical Fluid Mechanics or MCEN 3021 Fluid Mechanics 

Program Requirements 

Students may take up to and including 12 credits of graduate coursework while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credits may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree in Integrated Design Engineering, and also apply to continue with the professional master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed. 

Up to 6 credits of courses required for the IDE environmental emphasis or used as EVEN electives with both a 4000- and 5000-level version may be double counted between the undergraduate and graduate degrees. These include: 

  • CVEN 4464/5464 Environmental Engineering Processes 
  • CVEN 4404/5404 Water Chemistry 
  • EVEN 4484/CVEN 5484 Environmental Microbiology/Applied Microbiology & Toxicology 
  • MCEN 4131/5131 Air Pollution Control 

There are no specific constraints regarding the selection of the 5000-level EVEN or CVEN courses, as long as the student fulfills the required pre-requisites. To determine the most suitable courses, students should consult with the Environmental Engineering graduate advis