CU312 wrote:I'm a rising sophomore at Cornell University intending on majoring in computer science and over the summer have started to get interested in patent law. However, after doing some research, it seems that to take the patent bar exam requires a computer science degree from an ABET accredited program. It seems that other top computer science programs such as MIT are also not ABET accredited, making it seem like a funny rule considering it seems like its suppose to make sure the computer science degrees being submitted are legit, yet it's keeping out students from some of the top programs in the US......
After doing some research, however, I have seen that there is an option to still be qualified to sit given if one has 40 semester hours in a combination consisting of the following: 8 semester hours of chemistry or 8 semester hours of physics, and 32 semester hours of chemistry, physics, biology, botany, microbiology, molecular biology, or engineering. (Says computer science courses may count depending on nature of the course)
I already have 8 semesters hours of chemistry, will an undergraduate degree from Cornell most likely meet this expectation?
If anyone has a similar experience or can offer and advice that would be awesome.
The USPTO does not require that someone have an ABET-accredited CS degree to sit for the patent bar. They do not even require that someone have an ABET-accredited degree, of any kind, to sit for the patent bar.
Have you considered that MIT's CS program is not among the top in the U.S.?
My advice is to look at your curriculum (why anyone here would hold your hand through this is anyone's guess, but I won't because it does not seem that you are trying very hard, and this post reminds me of a troll). Whether or not your degree meets the hourly requirements depends entirely on your curriculum. It could possibly even come down to the electives you choose. Why don't you consider speaking to your advisor and the USPTO regarding "depending on the nature of the course" if you are having difficulty understanding?
Based on your degree program, you have to fall under one of the following to be able to sit for the patent bar:
1. 24 semester hours in physics. Only physics courses for physics majors will be accepted.
2. 32 semester hours in a combination consisting of the following: 8 semester hours of chemistry or 8 semester hours of physics, and 24 semester hours in biology, botany, microbiology, or molecular biology. The 8 semester hours in chemistry or 8 semester hours of physics must be obtained in two sequential courses, each course including a lab. Only courses for science or engineering majors will be accepted.
3. 30 semester hours in chemistry. Only chemistry courses for chemistry majors will be accepted.
4. 40 semester hours in a combination consisting of the following: 8 semester hours of chemistry or 8 semester hours of physics, and 32 semester hours of chemistry, physics, biology, botany, microbiology, molecular biology, or engineering. (For Computer Science, see other acceptable course work.)* The 8 semester hours of chemistry or 8 semester hours of physics must be obtained in two sequential courses, each course including a lab. Only courses for science or engineering majors will be accepted. For Computer Science, see other "Other Acceptable Course Work." All acceptable coursework for Options 2 and 4 must be for science or engineering majors.
*
"Other Acceptable Course Work: Under Option 4, up to four semester hours will be accepted for courses in design engineering or drafting. Also, under Option 4, computer science courses that stress theoretical foundations, analysis, and design, and include substantial laboratory work, including software development will be accepted. Such courses include the representation and transformation of information structures, the theoretical models for such representations and transformations, basic coverage of algorithms, data structures, software design with a laboratory, programming languages with a laboratory, and computer organization and architecture. Other acceptable courses in computer science include artificial intelligence and robotics, networking, linear circuits, logic circuits, operating systems, and software methodology and engineering. However, the courses may not be substituted for the eight semester hours of chemistry or physics required under Option 4.
"Typical Non-Acceptable Course Work: The following typify courses that are not accepted as demonstrating the necessary scientific and technical training: anthropology; astronomy; audited courses; behavioral science courses such as psychology and sociology; continuing legal education courses; courses in public health; courses relating technology to politics or policy; courses offered by corporations to corporate employees; courses in management, business administration and operations research; courses on how to use computer software; courses directed to data management and management information systems; courses to develop manual, processing or fabrication skills (e.g. machine operation, wiring, soldering, etc.); courses taken on a pass/fail basis; correspondence courses; ecology; economics of technology; courses in the history of science, engineering and technology; field identification of plants and/or animals; home or personal independent study courses; high school level courses; mathematics courses; one day conferences; patent law courses; paleontology; political science courses; repair and maintenance courses; radio operator license courses; science courses for non- science majors; vocational training courses; and work study programs. Also not accepted are college research or seminar courses where the course content and requirements are not set forth in the course descriptions; and courses that do not provide scientific and technical training. Further, not accepted are courses that repeat, or which are substantially the same as, or are lesser-included courses for which credit has already been given."
Consider yourself at a disadvantage, as the patent bar will test your resourcefulness.