Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Fairfax, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for International student | Domestic student is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Key Summary
Introduction
The ABET-accredited BS in Computer Science provides students with an 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, low-level programming, computer architecture, and language translation, ethics and law for the computing professional, and software design and development. Evolving software technologies are a major concern.
Senior-level elective courses are offered in a wide variety of computing fields: artificial intelligence, cyber-security, concurrent and distributed systems, databases, data mining, robotics, computer vision, computer networks, operating systems, programming languages, mobile application development, and software engineering. Students also have the opportunity to take a capstone course that enables them to work on challenging projects that involve multiple domains of computing.
Program Outcome
The objectives of the Computer Science, BS program relate to the abilities of the graduates several years after graduation. Our graduates are expected within three to five years of graduation to have:
- Established themselves as successful and productive computing professionals or engaged in an advanced study such as a graduate degree program.
- Worked effectively both in team environments and as individuals.
- Fulfilled their responsibilities in the areas of ethics, continuing professional development, and effective written and oral communications.
Curriculum
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Computer Science Core
- CS 110 Essentials of Computer Science (Mason Core) 3
- CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core) 4 or CS 108 & CS 109 Intro to Computer Programming, Part A and Intro to Computer Programming, Part B
- CS 211 Object-Oriented Programming 3
- CS 262 Introduction to Low-Level Programming 3
- CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (Mason Core) 3
- CS 310 Data Structures 3
- CS 321 Software Engineering 3
- CS 330 Formal Methods and Models 3
- CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming 4
- CS 471 Operating Systems 3
- CS 483 Analysis of Algorithms 3
Total Credits 35
Senior Computer Science
Select one from the following: 3
- CS 455 Computer Communications and Networking
- CS 468 Secure Programming and Systems
- CS 475 Concurrent and Distributed Systems
- CS 487 Introduction to Cryptography
Select four additional courses from the following: 12
- CS 425 Game Programming I
- CS 440 Language Processors and Programming Environments
- CS 450 Database Concepts
- CS 451 Computer Graphics
- CS 455 Computer Communications and Networking
- CS 463 Comparative Programming Languages
- CS 465 Computer Systems Architecture 1
- CS 468 Secure Programming and Systems
- CS 469 Security Engineering
- CS 475 Concurrent and Distributed Systems
- CS 477 Mobile Application Development
- CS 480 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- CS 482 Computer Vision
- CS 484 Data Mining
- CS 485 Autonomous Robotics
- CS 487 Introduction to Cryptography
- CS 490 Design Exhibition 2
- CS 491 Industry-Sponsored Senior Design Project 2
- CS 499 Special Topics in Computer Science 3
- MATH 446 Numerical Analysis I or OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering
Total Credits 15
Mathematics
- MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) 4 or MATH 123 & MATH 124 Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part A and Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B (Mason Core)
- MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 4
- MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) 3
- MATH 203 Linear Algebra 3
- MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III 3
Total Credits 17
Note: MATH 104 Trigonometry and Transcendental Functions, MATH 105 Precalculus Mathematics, MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications (Mason Core), and courses with an IT designation (and any associated cross-listed courses) cannot be counted toward this degree.
Statistics
- STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I 3
Total Credits 3
Computer Science-Related Courses
Students may need to choose electives to satisfy prerequisites for the following courses:
Select 6 credits from the following: 6
- STAT 354 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
- OR 335 Discrete Systems Modeling and Simulation
- OR 441 Deterministic Operations Research
- OR 442 Stochastic Operations Research
- ECE 301 Digital Electronics
- ECE 231 Digital System Design
- ECE 232 Digital System Design Lab
- ECE 350 Embedded Systems and Hardware Interfaces
- ECE 446 Device Driver Development
- ECE 447 Microcontrollers
- ECE 455 GPU Architecture and Programming
- ECE 511 Computer Architecture
- SWE 419 Object-Oriented Software Design and Implementation
- SWE 432 Web Application Development
- SWE 437 Software Testing and Maintenance
- SWE 443 Software Architectures
- SYST 371 Systems Engineering Management
- SYST 470 Human Factors Engineering
- PHIL 371 Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
- PHIL 376 Symbolic Logic
- ENGH 388 Professional and Technical Writing
- Any MATH or CS course numbered above 300 (except MATH 351) 1
- Any SWE course numbered 300 or above except SWE 301, SWE 401, and SWE 510
Total Credits 6
Natural Science
Select 12 credits of natural science 12
Total Credits 12
The courses should be intended for science and engineering students and must include a two-course sequence with laboratories. Some approved combinations have a total of more than 12 hours.
Approved Two-Course Sequences with Laboratories
Biology
- BIOL 102 Introductory Biology I-Survey of Biodiversity and Ecology (Mason Core) 4
- BIOL 103 & BIOL 105 Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core) and Introductory Biology II Laboratory (Mason Core) 4
Chemistry
- CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) 4
- CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) 4
Geology
- GEOL 101 & GEOL 103 Physical Geology (Mason Core) and Physical Geology Lab 4
- GEOL 102 & GEOL 104 Historical Geology (Mason Core) and Historical Geology Laboratory (Mason Core) 4
Physics
- PHYS 160 & PHYS 161 University Physics I (Mason Core) and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core) 4
- PHYS 260 & PHYS 261 University Physics II (Mason Core) and University Physics II Laboratory (Mason Core) 4
Additional Mason Core
Students must complete all Mason Core requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.
Oral Communication 3
- COMM 100 Public Speaking (Mason Core)
- or COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication (Mason Core)
Written Communication 3
- ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core)
Advanced Composition 3
- ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core) (Natural Sciences section) 1
Literature 3
Arts 3
Western Civilization/World History 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Global Understanding 3
Total Credits 24
Electives
Students must complete 8 elective credits 8
Total Credits 8
Admissions
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English Language Requirements
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