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May 13, 2024
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2021-2022 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Computer Science Major
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BS degree
Computer Science majors may choose from a wide selection of courses including software engineering, computer languages, artificial intelligence, compilers, computer networks, operating systems, computer architecture, computer graphics, parallel computing, human computer interaction, databases, cybersecurity, and theory of computation. The undergraduate computer science curriculum is programming intensive, supported by substantial laboratory components, and directed toward modern software development. The courses are supplemented by work in specialized labs equipped with a network of state-of-the-art workstations.
The undergraduate Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- All other courses are excluded from the calculation of the major cumulative GPA, even if they have a CIS prefix.
- If a course is repeated, only the most recent course grade (whether higher or lower) shall be used to calculate the major cumulative GPA.
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Computer Science Core Requirements
Computer Science (standard option) majors are required to complete the following core requirements with a grade of “C” or better:
Technical Electives for Computer Science
Complete four additional courses from the following CIS technical electives, each with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Available Concentrations
Students pursuing the Computer Science major (standard option) can elect one of the concentrations listed below. These concentrations allow for students to focus their technical electives in a particular area.
Concentration in Artificial Intelligence
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concentration within the BS in Computer Science prepares students with advanced skills and in-depth knowledge for artificial intelligence and development of intelligent software systems. Students will gain understanding, working knowledge of AI, and its applicability to various fields related to AI, including, but are not limited to general AI, machine learning, robotics, data mining and game design.
The AI Concentration requires students to select specific courses from the list of technical electives above. The technical electives must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better to meet the requirement.
Choose two courses from the following list:
Choose one additional CIS 400-level course not currently being used to meet another requirement.
Concentration in Computer Game Design
The Concentration in Computer Game Design provides a background in artificial game design and will prepare students for general computer science jobs, but with a specific engagement toward game design careers. These careers could be as independent developer (“Indie”), corporate video game design, as well as simulation based software companies.
The Concentration in Computer Game Design requires students to select specific courses from the list of technical electives. The technical electives must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better to meet the requirement.
Choose three additional courses:
Additional Requirements
Students must also complete PHY 111 or PHY 113.
Concentration in Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity Concentration within the Computer Science Program prepares students with essential skills and in-depth knowledge for cyber defense and secure software development, as well as advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. With the cybersecurity concentration, students will gain a critical understanding of threats, attacks and vulnerabilities in computer and information systems, and develop the skills needed for cyber defense and operations.
The concentration requires students to select specific courses from the list of approved technical electives. The technical electives must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better to meet the requirement.
Complete three required courses from this list:
Complete one additional course:
Option in Software Engineering Core Requirements
Students choosing the Option in Software Engineering are required to complete the following core requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or better:
Technical Electives for Option in Software Engineering
Complete four additional courses from the following CIS Software Engineering technical electives, each with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Requirements For All Computer Science Majors
In addition to the above core and technical requirements, all Computer Science Majors, whether choosing the standard program or the Option in Software Engineering, are required to complete the following course requirements:
- University Studies requirements, Clusters 3 and 4 - Credits: 15
- Free Electives - Credits: 3-4
Mathematics Requirements
Complete the following Mathematics Requirements:
- Math Elective - Credits: 3 (choose from MTH 213, MTH 221, or MTH 331)
Science/Quantitative Requirements
- Science elective - 3 credits
Science electives are any course in BIO, CHM, MAR, MLS, or PHY. Students should choose a course that has also been approved to meet the University Studies Cluster 2A requirement if Chemistry has been completed for the laboratory science requirement.
Laboratory Science
Complete one of the following sequences in Laboratory Sciences (students in the Game Design Concentration should choose PHY):
University Studies Requirements for Computer Science
Degree candidates for the BS degree in Computer Science must satisfy the University Studies requirements as described in the Academic Policies section of this Catalog.
- University Studies requirements in Clusters 1, 2B and 5 are automatically satisfied by the courses shown as required for this major.
- The University Studies requirements in Clusters 2A, 3, and 4 may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the approved lists in each cluster, using the University Studies electives shown in the course requirement tables for each major.
University Studies Departmental Requirements
Students majoring in Computer Science will meet their departmentally-determined University Studies requirements as follows: Math Placement
Students not starting in Calculus (MTH 153) will be placed in Pre-Calculus (MTH 150) or Pre-Calculus Enhanced (MTH 150E) in the first semester. This delays the start of Calculus to the spring semester, which may extend the program beyond four years.
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