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1. What is the difference between classes of regular students and those of the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program?
Response:
Students of their respective departments in NCKU have the same rules and requirements to fulfill for their bachelor’s degree, including credits of Common Courses, Compulsory and Elective Courses, as well as General Courses. Other than that, the Purdue Dual Degree Program will provide substantive international collaborated courses and activities.
During the period of studying at NCKU (from the first year to the third year), the exclusive curriculum design for the students of the dual degree program includes intensive course teaching by Purdue professors, summer intensive course in Purdue, training courses for English ability, and Purdue engineering online courses.
During senior year, students will study at Purdue University in collaborated departments for a year. Credits earned (based on course plans of every individual student) can be applied for the conversion of NCKU's credits, and the goal is to achieve the graduation threshold of NCKU's Bachelor's degree, and further application for admission to the collaborated department's master's program in Purdue University.
Graduation requirement of master’s degree at Purdue University (one year) is 30 credits. Those qualified earn a master’s degree.
Studying in this program, in addition to the actual number of credits, students in the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree program can learn from the courses jointly designed by NCKU and Purdue professors, as well as the local experience of studying in the United States. Starting from the Freshman period, students of this program are able to accumulate experience in American education and improve their skills of taking English-taught courses and communication, expanding international perspective and experience of American customs, and establish a vision for the future development of transnational science and technology careers, etc.
2. How long are the summer intensive course in Purdue during summer vacation in the first three years of this program? Are the air tickets and accommodation subsidized by the school? Can I choose not to participate?
Response:
Students of the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree program are all required to attend the summer intensive course in Purdue during summer vacation. Students don’t have to pay additional fees for the courses (included in tuition for NCKU in this program); Students need to bear personal expenses, such as air tickets, visas, accommodation and meals.
3. How is application conducted in the senior year? Is NCKU jointly helping students apply? Is the tuition fees for the fourth year paid to Purdue University?
Response:
In the fourth grade, the students of the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program will be nominated by the department to the partner department, and the students will be guided to complete the application according to the application timetable of the Purdue University Graduate School.
The guidence procedure reminds the third-year students of the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program to obtain the scores of the language test and GRE tests that Purdue University requires applicants to submit.
For the fourth and fifth year tuition fees, students pay directly to Purdue University.
Please click http://purduedual.web2.ncku.edu.tw/p/412-1136-23345.php for Purdue University’s tuition standard webpage
For the fourth- and fifth-year tuition, students pay directly to Purdue University.
Purdue University's tuition standard webpage, please click https://purduedual.web2.ncku.edu.tw/p/412-1136-82.php?Lang=en
4. If students can’t complete the degree, is there a way to drop out from the program? What should the students do if they postpone their graduation? If students suspend school for a year, will they still go to Purdue in their senior year (fifth year)? Can students choose not to go to Purdue and pay the same tuition as regular students?
Response:
Students admitted by the program will attend courses jointly designed by the two schools and the activities held each semester starting from the first year and can expect to graduate in five years with a bachelor’s degree from NCKU and a master’s degree from Purdue University. If there is a need for changing plans in between, arrangements can be discussed with the department head. In principle, all regulations that apply to students at NCKU, such as school constitution, years of study, transfers of departments or school*, If a student is unable to be admitted to the master's program of the cooperative department of Purdue University in the fifth year, those who can meet the graduation qualifications of the correspond department's bachelor's degree in the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program, will obtain a bachelor's degree from the Department of NCKU and complete the academic plan of the Program.
The Purdue Dual Degree Program only accepts freshmen and is not open for general students to transfer. Individual tuition is based on the department of the student.
*The regulations of each department are of primary importance:
§Department of Electrical Engineering
§Department of Mechanical Engineering
§Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering
(Please click on each department for details)
5. Will NCKU strengthen students' English ability?
Response:
The NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program will hold an English-strengthening course (Advanced English Course). The training aims at listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. The priority is to strengthen personal expression and dialogue skills in oral presentations, but not for the test-taking skills used in TOEFL or IELTS.
The TOEFL or IELTS test required for applying for the graduate school is prepared by the students themselves, and they can also initiate the joint test preparation plan with the students in the Dual Degree Program. The department will check whether individual students have met the standards according to the application deadline and language achievement period, and remind students to complete on time. GRE scores are also handled in the same way.
6. What are the requirements of applying for graduate school at Purdue University during senior year?
(For instance: What is the requirement for GPA and TOEFL score ?)
Response:
Currently (2021), the minimum requirements score is 80 for TOEFL iBT and 6.5 for IELTS. For details, please refer to the offical website below.
Regarding international students applying to Purdue University Graduate School, please refer to the following web link for the English language score.
https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-toefl.html
For announcements made by collaborated departments, please refer to the links below:
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University
https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/prospective/gradrequirements/westlafayette/aaen.html
Minimum
iBT: 80 (IELTS 6.5)
GPA: 3.25 / 4.0
Expected GRE scores: 156 (verbal), 159 (quantitative), 4.0 (analytical)
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/prospective/gradrequirements/westlafayette/ecen.html
Minimum
iBT: 80 (IELTS 6.5)
GPA: 3.25 / 4.0
GRE / Verbal: 154; Quantitative: 166; Analytical Writing: 4.0
School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/prospective/gradrequirements/westlafayette/mech.html
Minimum
iBT: 80 (IELTS 6.5)
GPA: 3.25 / 4.0
GRE / Quantitative: 162
7. What is the selection focus of the second stage of Individual Application?
Response:
Department of Electrical Engineering: Our department wishes to receive students with global outlook and passion for electrical engineering research. Interviews will be held mainly in English. Once students enter the second stage, in addition to the materials for review, a one-page individual CV formatted to fit the department requirements is required.
Department of Mechanical Engineering: Candidates' English proficiency, main subjects ability, and whether they have a positive attitude and imagination for the future.
Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering: English ability and academic performance. We would like to see if students have special plans for studying at Purdue University.
8. Is it possible to apply for the NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program of both the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at the same time during the individual application period? Is it possible to change the time of the designated subjects examination of these two departments if the dates of the two have a schedule conflict?
Response:
Candidates can apply for both departments. If candidates receive the interview notice and find that the two departments are in the same period, they can ask the department whether they can apply to change the interview time of the day.
9. The NCKU BS - Purdue MS Dual Degree Program students will go to Purdue University to study in their senior year. What should the student do about the military service of males?
Response:
The postponement of the military service duty can be handled following the relevant departure regulations for academic purposes. For details, please refer to the instructions of the Student Assistance Division of the Office of Student Affairs of NCKU.
If you have any other inquiries, please write to pphoebelu109@gs.ncku.edu.tw , thank you.
