2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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  Applied Science, BAS
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2014-2015 University Catalog

Applied Computer Science, BS

Banner Code: VS-BS-ACS

School: Volgenau School of Engineering 

Department: Computer Science 

This program presents an innovative approach to the integration of computer science with other disciplines that require expertise in computing techniques.  These disciplines do not merely use computing but create new and interesting problems for computer scientists.

Degree Requirements

For the BS ACS degree, students must complete 120 credits, including the Mason Core  requirements.  The program requires foundation, core, and concentration courses as described below. These course requirements provide expertise in programming, computer systems, software requirements and modeling, formal methods, and analysis of algorithms.

ACS foundation courses (24 credits)

Note:

MATH 104 , MATH 105 , and MATH 108  cannot be counted toward this degree.

ACS core (23 credits)

ACS elective (3 credits)

  • One CS course numbered above 400.

Communication (3 credits)

Concentration (67 credits)

▲ Concentration in Bioinformatics (BNF)

Foundation (17 credits)
Core (19 credits)
Two approved electives related to bioinformatics (6 credits)

A list of relevant courses can be obtained from the department office.

Additional Mason Core (21 credits)
  • Written Communication: 6 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Arts: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Science: 3 credits
  • Global Understanding: 3 credits
Electives (4 credits)

▲ Concentration in Computer Game Design (CGDS)

Foundation (19 credits)
Core (17 credits)
One approved elective related to game design (3 credits)

 Choose one course from the following:

Natural Science (8 credits)
Additional Mason Core (18 credits)
  • Written communication: 6 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Science: 3 credits
  • Global Understanding: 3 credits
Electives (2 credits)

▲ Concentration in Geography (GEOG)

Foundation (21 credits)
Core (22 credits)
Additional Mason Core (19 credits)
  • Written Communication: 6 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Arts: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Lab Science: 4 credits
Electives (5 credits)

▲ Concentration in Software Engineering (SWE)

Foundation (6 credits)
Core (10 credits)
SWE related (15 credits) chosen from:
Cross-disciplinary (6 credits)
Additional Mason Core (28 credits)
  • Written Communication: 6 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Arts: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Science: 3 credits
  • Global Understanding: 3 credits
  • Natural Science: 7 credits
Electives (2 credits)

Total: 120 credits

Note:

Students must take CS 101  within their first year at the university.  Students should take CS 105  during their second semester.  A grade of C or better must be earned in CS 306  for this course to satisfy the Mason Core  synthesis requirement.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Computer science majors complete the writing-intensive requirement through a sequence of projects and reports in CS 306  and CS 321 .  Faculty members provide feedback on students’ expository writing.

Grades

Students must earn a C or better in any course intended to satisfy a prerequisite for a computer science course.  Computer science majors may not use more than one course with grade of C- or lower toward department requirements.

Repeating Courses

Students may attempt an undergraduate course taught by the Volgenau School of Engineering twice.  A third attempt requires approval of the department offering the course.  This policy does not apply to STAT 250, which follows the normal university policy for repeating undergraduate courses.

Termination from the Major

No math, science, or Volgenau School of Engineering course, required for the major, may be attempted more than three times.  Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major.  Undeclared students in the Volgenau School who do not successfully complete a course required for a Volgenau School major within three attempts will also be terminated.  For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under AP.5 Undergraduate Policies .  

Students who have been terminated from a Volgenau School of Engineering major may not register for a Volgenau School course without permission of the department offering the course. This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Volgenau School except IT 103 and STAT 250.

Change of Major

Students requesting a change of major to computer science must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and successfully completed CS 112  or CS 211  and MATH 114 , or MATH 125 .

Advanced Placement, Credit by Exam

A score of 3 on the Advanced Placement (AP) computer science exam qualifies students for credit in CS 112 .  An AP score of 5, together with demonstrated competence in the programming language used in CS 211 , qualifies students for credit in CS 211.  A score of 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) computer science exam qualifies students for credits in CS 112, and a score of 5 or more qualifies students for credit in CS 211.