The Major

The Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science provides a solid foundation for students whose goals span a wide range of endeavors across the rapidly changing field of computing. The program is built upon a core of six introductory computer science courses (total credits 24), four mathematics courses (total credits 14), and two approved laboratory science courses (total credits 8). These courses supply the essential theory, concepts, and techniques in the major areas of computer science. To complement the breadth in this core, majors must also complete eight additional upper-level courses as specified in one of eleven defined subplans. The General Computer Science subplan allows the most flexibility, and each of ten specific subplans specify required, semielective, and elective courses targeted toward particular areas of computer science.

Computer Science majors also must fulfill the university’s Junior Year Writing requirement by taking CMPSCI 305 Social Issues in Computing.  Students whose primary major is Computer Science must satisfy the Integrative Experience requirement of General Education. Currently, either CMPSCI 320 Software Engineering or CMPSCI 326 Web Programming satisfy this requirement, which will also count as one of the upper-level courses for the major.

Required Computer Science Courses
121 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (or AP Exam)
187 Programming with Data Structures (or equivalent)
220 Programming Methodology
230 Computer Systems Principles
240 Reasoning Under Uncertainty
250 Introduction to Computation
305 Social Issues in Computing

Upper-Level Elective Courses
The General Computer Science subplan requires the following three courses:
311 Introduction to Algorithms
377 Operating Systems
383 Artificial Intelligence
plus five additional computer science electives numbered 300 or above, including at least three numbered 400 or above. At least five of the eight upper-level courses required for the major must be taken at the university. See the college website for further guidance as to exactly which courses may be used as electives.

Each of the following ten specific subplans also specifies eight upper-level courses, divided into required, semielective, and elective courses:
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Architecture
Networking
Programming Languages and Compilers
Robotics, Vision and Graphics
Search and Data Mining
Security and Privacy
Software Engineering
Software Systems
Theory of Computation
See the college website for an exact specification of each subplan.

Required Mathematics Courses
MATH 131 Calculus I
MATH 132 Calculus II
MATH 233 Multivariate Calculus or STATISTC 515 Statistics I
MATH 235 Introduction to Linear Algebra

Required Natural Sciences Courses
Every BS-CMPSCI major must satisfy a laboratory science requirement by taking two majors-level science courses in the College of Natural Sciences that include a lab component (minimum of 8 total credits). Currently accepted courses are: CHEM 111 or 121, 112 or 122; GEO-SCI 101 or 103/131 or 105/131; PHYSICS 151 or 181, 152 or 182. For CS majors that will have taken BIOLOGY 151/152/153, all three courses satisfy both majors-level science courses.

The Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts program in Computer Science will graduate computing professionals who have the necessary depth of expertise in computer science to have lifelong careers in the field, and who, at the same time, have sufficient exposure to a second discipline to be able to interact with professionals in that field in a knowledgeable manner, so as to apply advanced computer science techniques to problems in that second area. This degree is particularly appropriate for students who are interested in combining Computer Science with another discipline as a double major.

The degree requires 11 computer science courses, three math courses, and a four-course concentration. Computer Science majors also must fulfill the university’s Junior Year Writing requirement by taking CMPSCI 305 Social Issues in Computing. Double majors for whom Computer Science is the secondary major may use the Junior Year Writing requirement course from their primary major to fulfill this requirement.  Computer Science primary majors also must fulfill the Integrative Experience requirement of General Education. Currently, this may only be done by taking either CMPSCI 320 Software Engineering or CMPSCI 326 Web Programming, which will also count as one of the upper-level courses for the major.

Required Computer Science Courses
121 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (or AP exam)
187 Programming with Data Structures (or equivalent)

Three Core Courses Selected From
220 Programming Methodology
230 Computer Systems Principles
240 Reasoning About Uncertainty
250 Introduction to Computation

Five Computer Science Electives
Five computer science electives at the 300-level or higher (not including 305). These must be chosen from the college's regularly numbered courses 300 or higher. Experimental classes (numbered x90 through x99) may be used as electives only with Undergraduate Program Director (UPD) approval. Courses taken outside the college (including non-CS courses in special cases) may be used by petition.

Four-course Outside Concentration
The BA in CS requires four concentration courses as part of the required curriculum. The intent is to provide BA students with an opportunity to build relationships between computing and another discipline by including courses with content that is not available in our CS curriculum. To be eligible for the concentration, courses must be 200-level or above and used in the degree requirements of the major in the other discipline. Courses from more than one discipline can be acceptable with permission from the Undergraduate Program Director (UPD). One of the four can be the fourth 200-level CS core course or a sixth 300-level elective in computer science. No junior-year writing courses are eligible for use in the concentration.

Prior to senior year, students are required to announce their plans for the outside concentration and strongly advised to get pre-approval from the UPD when registering for concentration courses to avoid misunderstandings that may delay graduation.

Three Math Courses
Three math courses, including MATH 131-132 (or MATH 127-128*) plus one additional approved math course. Appropriate candidates include RES-ECON 211, RES-ECON 212, STATISTC 240, STATISTC 501, STATISTC 515, or any other MATH course at the 200-level or higher. Equivalent courses or appropriate AP exam placements are acceptable in place of MATH 131-132.

*MATH 131 and 132 are better preparation for most CS classes. Electing to take MATH 127-128 will restrict access to 200-level cores and higher-level CS electives that require MATH 132 as a prerequisite. If opting to take MATH 127/128 for the BA curriculum, taking the third Math requirement prior to attempting CMPSCI 240 or 250 is recommended. Consult the Chief Undergraduate Advisor (cua@cs.umass.edu) for recommendations of a third math course that will provide additional preparation.

Natural Science Courses
Students in the Bachelor of Arts program are required only to satisfy the general education science requirements.

Foreign Language Requirement
Students in the Bachelor of Arts program must fulfill the College of Information and Computer Sciences foreign language requirement. If a student is double-majoring with Computer Science as the secondary major, then the foreign language requirement associated with the primary major takes precedence.

Notes: No course taken on a Pass/Fail basis may be used for any major requirements, including computer science, mathematics, and science courses. Students must achieve a grade point average of at least 2.00 in all courses used for major requirements. Normally, courses with grades below C should be repeated for a new grade, as they may not be used as prerequisites. Also, at least five of the eight upper-level courses required for the BS and at least three of the five upper-level courses required for the BA must be taken at the university. 

Admission to the Major
Some first-year students and transfers are admitted directly into the Computer Science major when they apply to the university.  Exploratory undeclared students or students in other majors must apply to enter the Computer Science major at deadlines posted on the website.  Successful applicants demonstrate proficiency in entry-level computer science and mathematics courses and must have at least registered (or have transfer credit) for CMPSCI 121 or 187 at the time of application.  Students are either admitted directly or are given a contract whose successful completion results in admission.  Applicants that do not demonstrate proficiency on their first application are permitted to re-apply up to two times and must do so at the next application deadline.  At all points in the application process, students should register for courses that contribute to their case for proficiency---consult with the Undergraduate Program Director (upd@cs.umass.edu) during registration to make sure you are making your best case.  Deadlines and application forms are available on the website: https://www.cics.umass.edu/ugrad-education/major-change-cs.