B.S. Computer Science (2018-19)

The B.S. degree program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET), 415 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21021 (phone: 410.347.7700).

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives for the Bachelor's degree in computer science are that within a few years after graduation, graduates are expected to:

Demonstrate an ability to solve complex problems through the use of computer science, as evidenced by successful entrance into and advancement in the computer science profession.
Demonstrate an appreciation for lifelong learning and for the value of continuing professional development by pursuing graduate education, professional education or continuing education opportunities, attainment of professional licensure, and/or membership in professional societies.

Student Outcomes

Graduates with a B.S. in Computer Science will have an ability to:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Prior to Fall 2018, the student outcomes were different. Under the older outcomes, graduates were expected to have:

An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline;
An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution;
An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs;
An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal;
An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities;
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society;
Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development;
An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice;
An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices;
An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.

Concentrations

Students can choose one of two concentrations:

General Concentration
Cybersecurity Concentration

Program Requirements

General Education (Communication, Humanities, Social Science, and History) - 30 hrs

ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020 English Composition I and II (6 hrs)
COMM 2381 Oral Communication (3 hrs)
ENGL 2201 or ENGL 2202 Literature (3 hrs)
Two general education Humanities courses chosen from the approved list (6 hrs)
Two general education Social Science courses chosen from the approved list (6 hrs)
Two general education History courses chosen from the approved list (6 hrs)

General Education (Natural Science and Mathematics) - 12 hrs

A two-semester lecture+lab sequence chosen from BIOL 1110+1111 and BIOL 1120+1121 General Biology I and II, CHEM 1110+1111 and CHEM 1120+1121 General Chemistry I and II, or PHYS 2110+2111 and PHYS 2120+2121 Calculus-Based Physics I and II (8 hrs)
MATH 1910 Calculus I (4 hrs)

Additional Natural Science - 4 hrs

One semester of lecture+lab in a different science chosen from the above list (4 hrs)

Computer Science Major Core - 47 hrs

MATH 1920 Calculus II (4 hrs)
MATH 3242 Linear Algebra (3 hrs)
MATH 4614 Calculus-Based Probability and Statistics (3 hrs)
COMP 1900 CS 1 (4 hrs)
COMP 1950 Ethics (3 hrs - changing to 1 hr in Fall 2019)
COMP 2150 CS 2 (4 hrs)
COMP 2700 Discrete Structures (4 hrs)
COMP 3115 Databases (3 hrs)
COMP 3410 Comp Org/Arch (4 hrs)
COMP 3825 Networking/Info Assurance (3 hrs)
COMP 4030 Algorithms (3 hrs)
COMP 4081 Software Engineering (3 hrs)
COMP 4270 Operating Systems (3 hrs)
COMP 4882 Capstone Project (3 hrs)

Concentration Options - 12 hrs

General Concentration
- COMP 4040 Programming Languages (3 hrs)
- COMP 4601 Models of Computation (3 hrs)
- Two upper-division COMP electives (6 hrs)
Cybersecurity Concentration
- COMP 4410 Computer Security (3 hrs)
- COMP 4420 Network/Mobile Security (3 hrs)
- COMP 4430 Digital Forensics (3 hrs)
- One upper-division cybersecurity elective (3 hrs)

Free Electives - 15 hrs

At least 2 hrs of free electives must be upper-division

TOTAL - 120 hrs

Computer Science Honors Designation

A student will earn the designation “with Honors in Computer Science” upon graduation having complied with the following requirements:

Be admitted into the Computer Science Honors Program by the Department upon formal request for consideration by the student;
Have an inclusive GPA of at least 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.60 in Computer Science (COMP) courses satisfying degree requirements;
Complete fifteen (15) credit hours in courses designated “Honors” in the the Computer Science program and satisfying degree requirements;
Take honors sections of both COMP 1900 and COMP 2150;
Take at least three (3) credit hours from the following courses as honors sections: COMP 4882 Capstone Project, COMP 4901 Independent Study, COMP 4980 Senior Thesis.

Computer Science Minor

Completion of 21 semester hours in computer science courses, including the following:

COMP 1900 CS 1 (4 hrs)
COMP 2150 CS 2 (4 hrs)
COMP 2700 Discrete Structures (4 hrs)
COMP 3115 Databases (3 hrs)
Two additional upper-division COMP courses (6 hrs)

Department of Computer Science