Dec 10, 2024  
2009-2010 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Computer Science Major


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BS degree

A wide selection of courses offers experience in software engineering, computer languages, artificial intelligence, compilers, computer networks, operating systems, computer architecture, computer graphics, parallel computing, human computer interaction and data bases, and theoretical aspects. The undergraduate computer science curriculum is object-oriented, lab intensive and directed toward software development. The courses are supported by a network of state-of-the-art workstations and various specialized laboratories.

The Computer Science bachelor’s degree program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET, www.abet.org).

Computer Science majors must fulfill the requirements shown below. In addition, all Computer Science majors must complete the CIS Department Exit Survey in their final semester.

Calculation of the GPA in the Computer Science Major

Students must have a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all courses taken at the University in order to graduate. Students must also have a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA in the major.

For purposes of this computation:

  1. All required courses with a CIS prefix count in calculating the GPA for the Computer Science major. These include all the CIS core courses plus CIS 362 and CIS 381.
  2. All courses on the approved list of CIS technical electives count in calculating the GPA for the Computer Science major, whether or not they are used to satisfy the technical elective requirement.
  3. All other courses are excluded from the calculation of the major cumulative GPA, even if they have a CIS prefix.
  4. Only the most recently-earned grade for each course (whether higher or lower than previous grades) shall enter in the calculation of the major cumulative GPA.

Requirements


Requirements For All Computer Science Majors


In addition to the above core requirements, all Computer Science Majors, whether choosing the Software Engineering option or the standard program, are required to complete the following course requirements:

1


Complete four additional courses (three courses for the Software Engineering Option) from the following CIS technical electives, each with a grade of ‘C’ or better:

4


Complete the General Education requirements and free electives:

  • Cultural and Artistic Literacy - 9 credits
  • Global Awareness - 3 credits
  • Diversity - 3 credits
  • Free electives - 9 credits
Writing, Tier 1 and Tier 2; Information, Tier 1

Ethics and Cultural Responsibility

Total credits: at least 120


Distribution Requirements/General Education Requirements for Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering


Degree candidates in the College of Engineering must satisfy the university’s General Education requirements, as described in the Academic Policies section of this Catalogue.

  • General Education requirements in Areas M and S and the Tier 1 Writing/Information requirement are automatically satisfied by the courses shown as required for these majors.
  • The General Education requirements in Areas C, G, and D may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the approved lists in each area, using the General Education electives shown in the course requirement tables for each major.
  • The requirements for General Education areas E, I, W, and O will be specified within courses that are included in each major. Requirement tables for these areas are included for each major.

General Education Departmental Requirements


Students majoring in Computer Science will meet their departmentally-determined General Education requirements as follows:

Area I, Tier 2:


Satisfied by any CIS course above.

Area W, Tier 2:


Satisfied by:

Area O:


Satisfied by CIS Technical Electives:

Alternative Paths Program Requirements


Depending on the results of placement testing, new freshmen students may be placed into one of the following first-year curricula in lieu of the standard curriculum.

First-Year Courses for Algebra-Ready Freshmen


  • General Education Electives - 12 credits

First Year Courses for Precalculus-Ready Freshmen


  • General Education Electives - 6 credits

Footnote


* Students receive 3 administrative credits for Math 100. Administrative credits do not count towards the total credits required for graduation.

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