Computer Science

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The Department of Computer Science offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Both programs prepare students to become effective computer professionals. Upon graduation the student is ready for an entry-level position in industry and for graduate study. The required course work in computer science provides the student with an understanding of the basic areas of computer science: structure of programming languages, operating systems, systems analysis/software engineering, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture, and the theory of computer science.

Departmental Requirements:
At least 18 credits of computer science courses numbered 300 or above must be Orono courses. Required major GPA: 2.00

Field Experience Option (Capstone Experience requirement)
To provide students with an introduction to the professional environment of computer science, selected qualified students may elect a field experience following completion of the junior level course work. Students are placed in computing environments that utilize both their computer science education and course work in their concentration. Students are normally paid while on field experience and receive academic credit after completion of a written report and oral presentation to interested faculty, staff and students. Applicants will be screened by a committee within the department and students will be chosen for field experiences that match their credentials with employer requirements. Students who successfully complete field experience will have the location of their field experience noted on their transcript. Completion of COS 495 satisfies the General Education Capstone Experience requirement.

Students interested in field experience normally apply for consideration during the spring semester of their junior year. Before final acceptance in COS 495 and placement, a student normally must complete COS 301, COS 420, COS 431 and preferably COS 350 with at least a grade of “C” in each of these courses, and permission.

Students may elect an extended field experience that usually goes from January through August or June through December. A student would typically register for COS 495, 2 credits during the summer and 1 credit for spring or fall. This usually requires postponing graduation by one semester.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Students must complete course work in computer science and course work in an approved minor. The courses submitted to meet the requirements for the minor must include at least 18 credits of courses outside of Computer Science. Students completing a second or double major are not required to complete a minor. All students must satisfy the general requirements of University and the requirements of the B.A. degree. All required courses must be taken for a grade; courses taken PASS/FAIL will not count.

Required courses for the B.A. in Computer Science. At least 40 credits required.

COS 204 - Programming in FORTRAN Credits: 1
COS 220 - Introduction to C++ Programming Credits: 3
COS 221 - Advanced C++ Programming Credits: 3
COS 230 - Computer Architecture and Assembly Language Credits: 3
COS 250 - Discrete Structures Credits: 3
COS 301 - Programming Languages Credits: 3
COS 350 - Data Structures and Algorithms Credits: 3
COS 420 - Introduction to Software Engineering Credits: 3
COS 431 - Operating Systems Credits: 3
COS 495 - Field Experience Credits: 1-3
or
COS 499 - Senior Project Credits: 3
Note: A student must complete COS 220 and COS 221 with a grade of “C” or better in each; a grade of “C-” is not sufficient.

Four additional courses from

Four additional courses from:

COS 398 - Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1-3
COS 4xx Credits: 3
COS 5xx Credits: 3

Required Fundamental Courses

CMJ 103 - Fundamentals of Public Communication Credits: 3
ECO 120 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 121 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
ENG 317 - Business and Technical Writing Credits: 3
MAT 115 - Applied Mathematics for Business and Economics Credits: 3
or MAT 127 Calculus II. Credits: 3
MAT 126 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MAT 215 - Introduction to Statistics for Business and Economics Credits: 3
Note: A student must complete MAT 126, MAT 127 or MAT 115; and ENG 101 with a grade of “C” or better in each; a grade of “C-” is not sufficient.
or MAT 434 Introduction to Statistics. Credits: 3

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Computer Science

COS 101, COS 102, and COS 103 are recommended for students not familiar with personal computers. Students with little experience programming should take COS 120 in the fall instead of COS 220. Students with questions should check with their advisors. Credits for these courses do not apply to the major. This is only one model. Students may adjust the sequence of courses to meet their own situations.

Summer

COS 495 - Field Experience Credits: 1-3
(if selected)

Fourth Year - First Semester

COS Electives Credits: 6

Minor/Electives Credits:9

Fourth Year - Second Semester

COS 490 - Computers, Ethics and Society Credits: 3
COS Electives Credits: 6
Electives Credits: 6

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAS) of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB) accredits the B.S. Computer Science Program, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA). This degree complements the B.A. in Computer Science degree with a degree, which requires its recipients to demonstrate more scientific and technical expertise while allowing the student more freedom in meeting general education requirements. All requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must be met. All required courses must be taken for a grade; courses taken Pass/Fail will not count.

Required Computer Science Courses (43 credits)

COS 204 - Programming in FORTRAN Credits: 1
COS 220 - Introduction to C++ Programming Credits: 3
COS 221 - Advanced C++ Programming Credits: 3
COS 230 - Computer Architecture and Assembly Language Credits: 3
COS 250 - Discrete Structures Credits: 3
COS 301 - Programming Languages Credits: 3
COS 335 - Computer Organization and Architecture Credits: 4
COS 350 - Data Structures and Algorithms Credits: 3
COS 420 - Introduction to Software Engineering Credits: 3
COS 431 - Operating Systems Credits: 3
COS 490 - Computers, Ethics and Society Credits: 3
COS 495 - Field Experience Credits: 1-3
or
COS 499 - Senior Project Credits: 3
Note: A student must complete COS 220 and COS 221 with a grade of “C” or better in each; a grade of “C-” is not sufficient.
COS xxx Elective courses (three courses from COS 398, COS 4xx, and COS 5xx) Credits / Units: 9

Required Mathematics Courses (19 credits)

MAT 126 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MAT 127 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MAT 228 - Calculus III Credits: 4
MAT 262 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
MAT 434 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
Note: A student must complete MAT 126 and MAT 127 with a grade of “C” or better in each; a grade of “C-” is not sufficient.

Other Required courses (24 credits)

CMJ 103 - Fundamentals of Public Communication Credits: 3
ECE 271 - Microcomputer Architecture and Applications Credits: 3
ECE 275 - Sequential Logic Systems Credits: 3
ECE 471 - Microprocessor Applications Engineering Credits: 3
ECE 477 - Hardware Applications Using C Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
ENG 317 - Business and Technical Writing Credits: 3
PHY 121 - Physics for Engineers and Physical Scientists I Credits: 4
PHY 122 - Physics for Engineers and Physical Scientists II Credits: 4
Note: A student must complete ENG 101 and ENG 317 with a grade of “C” or better in each; a grade of “C-” is not sufficient.

Requirements on Electives:

A total of 24 additional credits of electives must be chosen from the (broadly construed) areas of the Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences (at least 6 credits in each area and at least 6 credits in upper level courses). These electives must be taken from the disciplines listed below. The University requires 18 of these credits to be in the area of Human Values and Social Context with six specific sub-categories defined. Lists of courses meeting this requirement are available from your advisor. The above requirements are overlapping and courses may be chosen to satisfy several requirements at once.

Social and Behavioral Science: Anthropology, International Affairs - Anthropology, Communication Disorders, Communication, Economics, International Affairs - Economics, Journalism, Mass Communication, Political Science, International Affairs - Political Science, Psychology, Sociology.

Arts and Humanities: Art, English, French, German, History, International Affairs, Latin, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Romance Languages, Spanish, Theatre .

Two additional courses (6-8 credits) emphasizing quantitative methods must be taken. Current courses meeting this requirement are: AST 109, 110, 215, 216, BMB 207, 208, BIO 100, 201, 202, 204, 208, 280, CHY 121 and 123, CHY 132 and 124/134, GES 101, 102, 103, 140, 314, PHY 236 and 229, PHY 238 and 230, PHY 4xx, SMS 370.

Suggested curriculum for the B.S. in Computer Science

COS 101, COS 102, and COS 103 are recommended for students not familiar with personal computers. Students with little experience programming should take COS 120. Credit for COS 100 and COS 120 does not apply to the major. This is only one model. Students may adjust the sequence of courses to meet their own situations.