Computer Science Major (BA)

Computer Science Department | College of Science and Mathematics

Program Declaration

At time of admission to the University or by completion of an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form .

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

University Requirements

College of Science and Mathematics Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Major Requirements

Complete 48 to 49 credits from 15 courses including eight required computer science courses, three required mathematics courses, one capstone course, one applied computer science elective, one theoretical elective, and one additional elective from either the applied or theoretical list.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.0 from all major courses.
Pass/fail: No courses taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.
Residency: At least six courses for the major at the 300-level or higher must be completed at UMass Boston.

Course Requirements

Required Computer Science Courses (25 to 26 Credits)

CS 110 - Introduction to Computing 4 Credit(s)
or
CS 210 - Intermediate Computing with Data Structures 4 Credit(s)
CS 220 - Applied Discrete Mathematics 3 Credit(s)
CS 240 - Programming in C 3 Credit(s)
CS 310 - Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms 3 Credit(s)
CS 341 - Computer Architecture and Organization 3 Credit(s)
CS 420 - An Introduction to the Theory of Computation 3 Credit(s)
CS 450 - The Structure of Higher Level Languages 3 Credit(s)

Required Mathematics Courses (11 Credits)

MATH 140 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
MATH 260 - Linear Algebra I 3 Credit(s)

Applied Computer Science Elective (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below. With department approval, an independent study course can be used in place of one of these courses.

CS 410 - An Introduction to Software Engineering 3 Credit(s)
CS 413 - Applied Cryptography 3 Credit(s)
CS 430 - Database Management 3 Credit(s)
CS 436 - Database Application Development 3 Credit(s)
CS 438 - Applied Machine Learning 3 Credit(s)
CS 442 - Cybersecurity in the Internet of Things 3 Credit(s)
CS 444 - An Introduction to Operating Systems 3 Credit(s)
CS 446 - Introduction to Internetworking 3 Credit(s)
CS 449 - Introduction to Computer Security 3 Credit(s)
CS 451 - Compilers 3 Credit(s)
CS 460 - Graphics 3 Credit(s)
CS 461 - Computer Games Programming 3 Credit(s)
CS 470 - An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit(s)
The following graduate level courses can also be used, but require departmental approval. Descriptions can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
- CS 615 User Interface Design
- CS 630 Database Management Systems
- CS 632 Data Base Models
- CS 634 Architecture of Database Systems
- CS 636 Database Application Development
- CS 637 Database-Backed Websites
- CS 638 Applied Machine Learning
- CS 639 XML and Semi-Structured Data on the Web
- CS 641 Computer Architecture
- CS 642 Cybersecurity in the Internet of Things
- CS 644 Computer Architecture
- CS 646 Computer Communications Networks
- CS 651 Compiler
- CS 652 Compilers II
- CS 662 Document Preparation and Text Processing Systems
- CS 664 Image Processing
- CS 670 Artificial Intelligence
- CS 672 Neural Networks
- CS 680 Object-Oriented Design and Programming

Theoretical Elective (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

MATH 345 - Probability and Statistics 3 Credit(s)
MATH 360 - Abstract Algebra 3 Credit(s)
MATH 425 - Numerical Analysis 3 Credit(s)
MATH 458 - Theory of Numbers 3 Credit(s)
MATH 470 - Mathematical Logic 3 Credit(s)

Additional Elective (3 Credits)

Take one additional elective from either the applied or theoretical list.

Capstone (3 Credits)

CS 444 - An Introduction to Operating Systems 3 Credit(s)
or
CS 451 - Compilers 3 Credit(s)