Computer Science
Professors: Denning, Frieder, Hamburger (Interim Chair), Menasce, Michalski, Rine, Sood, Tecuci, Wechsler
Associate Professors: DeJong, Norris, Pullen, Quammen, Richards, Wang
Assistant Professors: Carver, Chen, Setia, Simon, White
Instructors: Marchant, Nordstrom (Visiting)
Affiliate Professor: Gerstner
Adjunct Professors: Ashtom, Berlin, Erwin, Grussman, Marshall
URL: http://www.cs.gmu.edu
Computer science is the discipline concerned with the design, implementation, and maintenance of the computer 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.
In addition to the general SITE degree requirements for a B.S. degree, the following courses are required:
- Computer Science core: CS 105, 112, 211, 265, 310, 330, 365, 421, and 483. Total hours: 26
- Senior Computer Science: Any four of the following: CS 440, 450, 451, 455, 471, 475, 480, 490. Total hours: 12
- Mathematics: MATH 113, 114, 125, 203, 213; OR 481; STAT 344; and ECE 301 for a total of 26 hours.
- Computer Science-related courses: 6 hours chosen from OR 435, 441, 442; ECE 285, 431, 442, 511, 512; PHIL 371, 376, 422; any MATH or CS course numbered above 300. Students may need to choose electives to satisfy the prerequisites of these courses.
- Natural Sciences: 12 credits in natural science courses intended for scientists and engineers. STAT 354 and PHIL 371 can also be counted toward this requirement if not used as "CS-related." Two of the courses for this requirement must have laboratory components and must constitute a sequence. A list of relevant courses can be obtained from the department office.
Sample Schedule for B.S. in Computer Science
First Semester
CS 112
MATH 113
ENGL 101
Social science elective
Total Hours
|
4
4
3
3
14
|
Second Semester
CS 105
CS 211
MATH 114
Social science elective
Literature
Total Hours
|
1
3
4
3
3
14
|
Third Semester
CS 265
MATH 213
Natural science elective
Literature
Humanities
or social science
Total Hours
|
3
3
3
3
3
15
|
Fourth Semester
CS 310
MATH 125
ENGL 302
Natural science elective
Humanities
or social science
Total Hours
|
3
3
3
3
3
15
|
Fifth Semester
CS 330
CS 421
MATH 203
ECE 301
Elective
Total Hours
|
3
3
3
3
3
15
|
Sixth Semester
CS 365
Senior CS
STAT 344
CS-related elective
Elective
Total Hours
|
3
3
3
3
3
15
|
Seventh Semester
CS 483
Senior CS
OR 481
CS-related elective
Natural science with lab
Total Hours
|
3
3
3
3
4
16
|
Eighth Semester
Senior CS
Natural science with lab
Electives
Total Hours
|
6
4
6
16
|
Transfer students and others who wish to take all their 300-level courses in the last two years should consult the alternative sample schedule in the department office.
Change of Major
Students requesting a change of major to computer science must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and have successfully completed MATH 113 and either MATH 114 or MATH 125.
Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination
Some students may receive credit for CS 103, 112, 211, or 265 by passing departmentally administered examinations. In addition, a score of 3 on the Advanced Placement (AP) CS examination qualifies the student for credit in CS 112. An AP score of 4, together with demonstrated competence in the programming language used in CS 211, qualifies for credit in that course.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Computer science majors complete the writing-intensive requirement through a planned sequence of projects and reports integral to the following CS courses: CS 105, 211, 332, 421, 471, 480, and 490. In all these courses, faculty provide feedback from the perspective of professional expository writing.
Grades
A student must earn a C or better in any course intended to satisfy a prerequisite for a CS course.
Cooperative Education
As a computer science major, a student may participate in the George Mason cooperative education program or in a work-study program in the Washington-Northern Virginia area.
The M.S. in Computer Science is for those interested in computer software technology. The program encompasses the depth of knowledge needed to pursue more advanced work in computer science or allied areas. Graduate classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate the professionally employed student. Financial aid in the form of graduate assistantships may be available for full-time, degree-seeking students.
The department offers courses in the core areas of computer science with an optional M.S. specialization in artificial intelligence, software engineering, parallel/distributed computing, image processing/graphics, or computer systems. The department actively participates in the program leading to the Ph.D. in Information Technology in SITE. A certificate in Software Systems Engineering is also available with an M.S. in Computer Science. Appropriate courses may be transferred, with adviser approval, into the George Mason degree program. Students may take courses through the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the M.S. in Computer Science program must satisfy the following requirements:
- Fulfill admission requirements for graduate study at George Mason University.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree that includes courses in Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 310, CS 330), Assembly Language Programming (CS 265), and Computer Architecture (CS 365). Students should also have completed one year of mathematics beyond first-year calculus, including a substantial course in discrete mathematics (e.g., MATH 125). Students with some deficiencies in preparation may be admitted provisionally pending completion of foundation courses in mathematics or computer science. Undergraduate credit earned for this purpose may not be applied toward the graduate degree.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work, preferably with a major in a technical field such as computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, or information systems.
- Submit transcripts of all post-secondary education; a self-assessment form (normally included in the application package or available from the department); three letters of recommendation; and official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) report, which is strongly recommended and encouraged but not required.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the university, completion of this program requires the following:
- Completion of 30 hours of graduate course credit, including the following:
- 12 hours comprising the following core courses:
CS 540 Language Processors
CS 571 Operating Systems
CS 580 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS 583 Analysis of Algorithms
- 12 hours or more of CS courses at the 600 level or above, which have at least one graduate CS course as a prerequisite (excluding CS 798 and 799)
- At least one non-core course taken from three of the five specialization areas listed below. Courses listed under more than one specialization count only once for satisfying this requirement.
- Either 3 hours of CS 798, or 3 to 6 hours of CS 799, or one additional 600-level or above CS course, which has at least one graduate CS course as a prerequisite. Additional graduate-level courses in computer science or in closely related fields, at a comparable level of challenge, chosen with the written consent of the adviser
- For students electing the project or thesis option, presentation of the project or thesis at an appropriate forum approved by the department graduate committee
Specializations
The Computer Science Department supports the following specialization areas: artificial intelligence, software engineering, parallel/distributed computing, image processing/graphics, and computer systems. A list of the courses in each of these specializations is obtainable in the department office. A student can specialize by taking at least 12 non-core credits, including M.S. thesis or project from one specialization area.
Students may also pursue a certificate in Software Systems Engineering. For information on this certificate, please refer to the Software Systems Engineering program.
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