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The department of Computer Science offers a BS degree and a BA degree. Our BS program is accredited by ABET which assures quality for degree programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. The BS program provides a rigorous education in theory and practice of Computer Science in addition to outside science courses. Our BA program provides a similar education in the theory and practice of Computer Science with more of an emphasis on outside humanities. Either degree can be used as a basis for many jobs in industry or for graduate work in Computer Science and other fields. We have an Honors Program for students who complete an Honors Thesis.

Students who are majoring in other fields may also pursue a Program of Study in Computer Science which is equivalent to a minor and may be a useful supplement to their education in many other fields that use computers today. We also provide a CS105 course introducing computer literacy for non-majors.

In addition, we offer two undergraduate Computer Science certificate programs for non-degree seeking students. The major certificate provides an education equivalent to our BA and may be beneficial for students having undergraduate degrees in other fields who want to demonstrate their competence in Computer Science. The minor certificate provides a fundamental core education in Computer Science that may be appropriate for students who need a Computer Science education in their career field.

We offer a curriculum stressing software development. It provides training appropriate for students with interests in areas such as systems programming, compiler development, artificial intelligence, database management, and software engineering. An aptitude for logical reasoning and mathematics is needed to complete the major successfully, partly because designing programs to solve problems requires good problem solving skills and partly because some of the requirements are relatively advanced theoretical Computer Science and mathematics courses.

The department also offers courses in Information Technology. Two Information Technology courses, CS114L and CS115L can be used to get started in a Computer Science major in lieu of CS110. The other courses provide some further education in Information Technology. Additionally, the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education offers certificate programs in Information Technology.

The College of Management provides a program in Management Information Systems.

At the present time, we are developing a BS degree in Information Technology. Students interested in the BSIT degree should contact us about availability of this program.

Registration

Currently enrolled students who wish to major in Computer Science or want to enroll in a Computer Science Program of Study should file a Declaration of Major form with the Registrar. This form, which may be obtained from the Registrar's Office, requires the signature of the department chair before returning to the Registrar.

New students who wish to work towards a BA or BS at UMass Boston must file the appropriate application with the Admissions Office. New students, who are not seeking a degree, but wish to earn one of the certificates in Computer Science, must file a Certificate Program Application form with the Registrar. The form must first be signed by the department chair. New students who wish merely to take courses may enroll as non-degree students. Transfer students should contact the Undergraduate Program Director, who can answer any questions about transfer credit for Computer Science course work done at another institution.

Degrees and Certificates

This section describes the various undergraduate degrees and certificate programs that the department offers. Please note that the requirements depend on whether or not you declared your major or were accepted into the certificate program prior to September 1, 2002.

No course taken to satisfy a requirement for a degree or certificate may be taken Pass/Fail.

The Bachelor of Science Degree

The department requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in computer science, based on the date the major is declared, are given below.

Degree-seeking students must also satisfy the other requirements of the college such as the Core requirements, the English requirement, and the Writing Proficiency Examination requirement. These are not listed here.

BS in Computer Science/Major Declared September 1, 2002 or Later

The current department requirements are listed below:

  1. CS110 or CS115L; CS210; CS240; CS310; CS320L; CS341; CS410 (this will be the capstone course for the major); CS420; CS444; CS450; CS451 or CS651; and CS485 (students who declared their major prior to January 27, 2003 may replace CS485 with an additional Computer Science elective)
  2. Math140; Math141; and Math260; Math345
  3. Physics113; Physics181; Physics114; and Physics182
  4. One science elective. Information on allowable electives may be obtained in the department office
  5. Two Computer Science electives chosen from: CS260; CS430; CS437; CS445; CS446; CS460; CS470; CS615; CS620; CS622; CS624; CS630; CS634; CS636; CS637; CS639; CS641; CS644; CS646; CS647; CS648; CS664; CS670; CS672; CS674; CS675; CS680. With prior permission it may be possible to take an independent study course in place of one of the above
  6. At least four 300; 400; or 600 level Computer Science or Mathematics courses must be taken at UMass Boston. This limits the number of transfer courses that can be applied towards a degree
  7. A major must maintain a C average (2.0 GPA) in all of the above. Only courses taken at UMass Boston are averaged

Sample Program for the Major

We present below a possible sequence of Mathematics and Computer Science courses leading to satisfaction of the department requirements in four years. We do not show courses in other departments.

This schedule is only an example; not a prescription or a recommendation. Programs of study will vary depending on students' interests and abilities. Stronger students may wish to do more than meet the minimal requirements.

  1. CS110, Math140
  2. CS210, Math141, Physics113, Physics181
  3. CS240, Math260 , Physics114, Physics182
  4. CS310, CS341, CS320L
  5. CS420, CS450, Math345
  6. CS444, CS451, science elective
  7. CS410, Computer Science elective
  8. CS485, Computer Science elective

BS in Computer Science/Major Declared Prior to September 1, 2002

The requirements include: the same courses as required for the Bachelor of Arts degree prior to September 1, 2002 plus six science courses outside of the department of Computer Science. These courses must be suitable for majors in other sciences and must include Physics113 and Physics114 and a laboratory course. None of these six courses may be taken pass/fall. Information on allowable electives may be obtained in the department office.

Before deciding to invest the time necessary to take six outside science courses to earn a BS instead of a BA degree, a student should seriously consider strengthening his or her Computer Science background by electing to follow the current requirements for a BS declared after September 1, 2002. Please see your department advisor for guidance.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The department requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Computer Science, based on the date the major is declared, are given below.

Degree-seeking students must also satisfy the other requirements of the college such as the Core requirements, the English requirement, and the Writing Proficiency Examination requirement. These are not listed here.

Some students may find that their scores on the department's placement test indicate that they are not yet qualified to take CS110 or Math140. Such students will begin their course work with Math130 (Pre-calculus) or possibly Math115 (College Algebra). Credits earned in those courses count toward the degree, but not toward the major.

BA in Computer Science/Major Declared September 1, 2002 or Later

The current department requirements are listed below:

  1. CS110 or CSL115; CS210; CS240; CS310; CS320L; CS341; CS420; and CS450
  2. Math140; Math141; and Math260
  3. Two applied computer science electives chosen from the following list. (One of these choices must be CS444; or CS451 which will be the capstone course for the major.) CS410; CS430; CS437; CS444; CS445; CS446; CS451; CS460; CS470; CS615; CS630; CS634; CS636; CS637; CS639; CS641; CS644; CS646; CS647; CS648; CS651; CS664; CS670; CS672; CS674; CS675; CS680. With prior permission it may be possible to take an independent study course in place of one of the above
  4. One theoretical elective from among: Math345; Math140; Math360; Math425; Math458; Math470; CS620; CS622; and CS624
  5. One additional elective; either theoretical; applied or CS260
  6. At least four 300; 400; or 600 level Computer Science or Mathematics courses must be taken at UMass Boston. This limits the number of transfer courses that can be applied towards a degree
  7. A major must maintain a C average (2.0 GPA) in all of the above. Only courses taken at UMass Boston are averaged

Sample Program for the Major

We present below a possible sequence of Mathematics and Computer Science courses leading to satisfaction of the department requirements in four years. We do not show courses in other departments.

This schedule is only an example, not a prescription or a recommendation. Programs of study will vary depending on students' interests and abilities. Stronger students may wish to do more than meet the minimal requirements.

  1. Math130 (if necessary)
  2. CS110, Math140
  3. CS210, Math141
  4. CS240, Math260
  5. CS310, CS320L
  6. CS341, CS420
  7. CS450, one applied elective, and one theoretical elective
  8. CS444 or CS451, and one additional elective

BA in Computer Science/Major Declared Prior to September 1, 2002

The department requirements are listed below:

  1. CS110 or CS115L; CS210; CS240; CS241/CS341; CS260 or an additional 400 level elective from the theoretical and applied electives listed below; CS310; CS320L; and CS420
  2. Math140; Math141; and Math260
  3. Two applied computer science electives from among: CS410; CS430; CS437; CS444; CS445; CS446; CS450; CS451; CS460; CS470; CS615; CS630; CS634; CS636; CS637; CS639; CS641; CS644; CS646; CS647; CS648; CS651; CS664; CS670; CS672; CS674; CS675; CS680. With prior permission it may be possible to take an independent study course in place of one of the above
  4. One theoretical elective from among: Math345; Math346; Math360; Math425; Math458; Math470; CS620; CS622; and CS624
  5. At least four 300; 400; or 600 level Computer Science or Mathematics courses must be taken at UMass Boston. This limits the number of transfer courses that can be applied towards a degree
  6. A major must maintain a C average (2.0 GPA) in all of the above. Only courses taken at Umass Boston are averaged

Sample Program for the Major

We present below a possible sequence of mathematics and Computer Science courses leading to satisfaction of requirements for the major in four years. We do not show courses in other departments.

This schedule is only an example; not a prescription or a recommendation. Programs of study will vary depending on students' interests and abilities. Stronger students may wish to do more than meet the minimal requirements.

  1. Math130 (if necessary)
  2. CS110, Math140
  3. CS210, Math141
  4. CS240, Math260
  5. CS310, CS320L
  6. CS341, CS420
  7. One applied and one theoretical elective
  8. One applied elective and one theoretical or applied elective