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Undergraduate Programs
For admissions information and instructions, see our admissions page. The department offers several undergraduate programs:
Bachelor of Science in Computer ScienceComputer Science is the discipline concerned with the design, implementation, and maintenance of the computer software systems used in almost all other professions. Computer scientists must be well-grounded in the technologies needed for the acquisition, representation, storage, transmission, transformation, and use of information in digital form and must be capable of working closely with members of other professions associated with computing. Download the BS Computer Science Brochure (PDF) ObjectivesThe objectives of the B.S. program in Computer Science relate to the abilities of the graduates several years after graduation. The objectives include
This bachelor's degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012. Degree RequirementsUndergraduate degree work in computer science provides students with essential background for studying the design and implementation of computer systems software, computer architecture, and computer software applications for science and business. The program emphasizes both computer systems fundamentals and computer software applications. Required areas of study include data structures, analysis of algorithms, assembly language, computer architecture and language translation, software design and development, artificial intelligence and networking. Evolving software technologies are a major concern. The BS in Computer Science program also requires 23 credits in mathematics and statistics, including calculus, discrete mathematics, matrix algebra, applied probability theory, and numerical analysis. Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Computer ScienceThe Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Computer Science (BS ACS) has been created for those students who want and need the knowledge and expertise of computer science to work in one of the many disciplines that require advanced computing techniques. These fields do not merely "use" computing but create new and interesting problems for the computer scientist.Application AreasThere are currently three applications areas, biology, geography, and computer game design, and other areas will be added soon. For example, Bioinformatics, the study of computational issues central to biological science, requires knowledge of both Biology and Computer Science. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is another emerging discipline that requires computational knowledge as well as a background in a non-computational discipline. Both bioinformatics and GIS generate vast files of raw data that can be analyzed for answers to important questions. Computer scientists have a better understanding of these issues but do not have the background required to formulate the basic questions. Many other fields, such as Mathematics and Economics, are experiencing the need for computational methods as well.Download the BS Applied Computer Science Brochure (PDF) BS/Accelerated MS in Computer ScienceThis program is for undergraduates interested in immediately continuing on to graduate studies in computer science.
Admission RequirementsStudents in a BS program, in CS or a related area, may apply for the BS/accelerated MS program if they have earned 90 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.50. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the MS program.
Degree RequirementsStudents must complete 144 credits that satisfy requirements for the BS program as well as those for the MS program, with 6 credits overlap. Students register for 6 credits of CS 500-level basic courses in place of the corresponding CS 400-level courses required for the undergraduate degree. That is, students must register for two of the following courses: CS 540, 571, 580, and 583 in place of the corresponding 400-level courses. Students are permitted to take additional graduate basic courses in place of their undergraduate courses. In such cases, these courses cannot be counted towards requirements for the MS degree.
Degree ConferralStudents may apply to have the BS degree conferred during the semester in which they expect to complete the BS requirements. At the completion of the MS requirements, a master's degree is granted.Minor in Computer ScienceComputer Science is a discipline concerned with the design, implementation, and maintenance of the computer software systems used in almost all other professions. The Minor in Computer Science is intended for those pursuing other undergraduate degree programs who feel the need to pursue Computer Science to complement their other studies. Regardless of their discipline, undergraduates find a knowledge of Computer Science to be helpful in today's world. This Minor is not a "computer literacy" program; all the courses are the same as taken by Computer Science majors.
RequirementsThis totals 17 hours of credit. There are no additional hidden prerequisites beyond math placement indicating the student is ready to take calculus. University requirements state that at least 6 hours must be completed at George Mason. Students should be aware that due to prerequisite chains at least 4 semesters are needed to complete the Minor. |
