COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science (B.S.)
Computer Science (Minor)
Forensic Computing (Minor)
Web Design (Undergraduate Certificate)
The Combined B.S./M.S. Program in Computer Science
Computer Science (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)
Forensic Computing (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)
Computer Science (M.S.)
Computer Security and Information Assurance (Graduate Certificate)

Computer Science emphasizes object-oriented programming and includes the study of computer architecture and the design and analysis of algorithms.

Computer Science (B.S.)

The major follows the guidelines for a Computer Science major set by the Association for Computing Machinery and provides students with a broad understanding of the field. It prepares students for careers in computer programming, systems administration, software engineering, applications and systems software development, network administration, and technical support. It also prepares students for graduate study in Computer Science.

Students majoring in Computer Science are advised to consider minors in Information Systems, Economics, Graphic Design, Mathematics, and Web Design, or electives in these areas as well as coursework in Accounting, Management, and the sciences.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the Computer Science major that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

CS 110 Programming I in Java§
MA 142 Precalculus or MA 181 Calculus I§
EN 101 Composition I*
POL/PSY/SOC 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

CS 111 Programming II in Java§
CS 120 Personal Security in the Digital Age§
MA 181 Calculus I§ or MA 182 Calculus II§
EN 102 Composition II*
Social Sciences elective (ECO 199 Macroeconomics or ECO 210 Microeconomics recommended)*

Year Two

Fall

CS 106 Programming on the Web in Java Script (odd years)§ or CS 150 The UNIX Operating System (even years)§
CS 220 Data Structures and Algorithms§
MA 150 Discrete Mathematical Structures§ *
BIO 151 General Biology I, CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I, or PHYS 171 General Physics I*

Spring

CS 210 Structure of Programming Languages (even years)§ or Humanities elective (odd years)*
CS 230 Computer Organization§
MA 182 Calculus II§ or elective
Humanities elective*
BIO 152 General Biology II, CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II, or PHYS 172 General Physics II

Year Three

Fall

CS 310 Software Engineering (even years)§ or CS 320 Database Systems (odd years)§
CS 325 Data Communications and Networking§
Health elective*
Humanities elective*
Social Sciences elective (300-level Economics recommended)*
Elective*

Spring

CS 210 Structure of Programming Languages (even years)§ or Humanities elective (odd years)*
CS 360 Intelligent and Agent-Based Systems or CS elective (even years)§ ** or CS 350 Operating Systems (odd years)§
Humanities elective*
Social Sciences elective*
Elective*

Year Four

Fall

CS 310 Software Engineering (even years)§ or CS 320 Database Systems (odd years)§
ISY 335 Information Security§
Humanities elective*
Writing elective*
Elective

Spring

CS 360 Intelligent and Agent-Based Systems or CS elective (even years)§ ** or CS 350 Operating Systems (odd years)§
CS 400 Internship§
Humanities elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**CS electives: CS 370 Computer Forensics, CS 421 Project, CS 433 Research, CS 391A-D Topics in Computational Mathematics.

Computer Science (Minor)

Minor Requirements

CS 110-111 Programming in Java I & II
MA 150 Discrete Mathematical Structures
MA 181 Calculus I
CS 220 Data Structures and Algorithms
CS 230 Computer Organization or CS 325 Data Communications and Networking

Forensic Computing (Minor)

This program provides students with the knowledge required by the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners for their Certified Computer Examiner standing. It also provides students with a rigorous introduction to computer science. It is ideal for students in the Computer Science major or for students in the Criminal Justice major with a Forensic Science concentration.
This minor is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice in the School of Education and Human Services.

Minor Requirements

CS 110-111 Programming in Java I & II
CS 120 Personal Security in the Digital Age
CS 230 Computer Organization
CS 325 Data Communications and Networking
CS 370 Computer Forensics
CJ 320 Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism

Web Design (Undergraduate Certificate)

See Graphic Design.

The Combined M.S./B.S. Program in Computer Science

This dual program allows advanced students to earn an M.S. in Computer Science (CS) and either a B.S. in Computer Science or a B.S. in any field with a minor in Computer Science. Those pursuing this program by earning the B.S. in Computer Science can complete the program in five years. Other students, depending upon the number of electives in their major, may take slightly longer.

Admission Requirements: In addition to meeting Universitywide undergraduate admission requirements, the student must have:

a declared major or minor in Computer Science
90 credits (or acceptable transfer credits) completed toward the undergraduate degree (typically by the end of the junior year);
at least 18 credits of CS courses completed, including CS 220 Data Structures and Algorithms;
an overall GPA of 3.0;
a GPA in Computer Science and Mathematics coursework of 3.5; and
two recommendation letters (one of which must be from a Computer Science or Mathematics advisor).

Once admitted to the program, the student will take a mixture of undergraduate and up to 12 credits of graduate courses for graduate credit in the senior year. The student is automatically admitted to the M.S. program at the end of his/her senior year after completing a total of 120 undergraduate credits while maintaining the required GPAs. The GRE and interview are waived for entry into the M.S. in Computer Science program.

Students complete their B.S./M.S. degrees by following one of two concentrations in their final three years: Computer Security and Telecommunications or Software Engineering.

Students who complete the traditional minor in Computer Science cannot take graduate Computer Science courses toward the minor, However, students completing the Computer Science minor can still benefit from this program by virtue of early admission to the graduate program and the ability to take up to 12 graduate credits during their senior year.

The requirements for award of the M.S. in Computer Science are identical to those stated for the traditional M.S. program.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the Computer Science major that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course.

Suggested Degree Plan

Students in this program will follow the degree plan for B.S. in Computer Science majors until year three, then complete the program as follows:

Year Three

Fall

CS 310 Software Engineering (even years)§ or CS 320 Database Systems (odd years)§
Two (2) Humanities electives*
Health elective*
Social Sciences elective (300-level Economics recommended)*
Elective*

Spring

CS 210 Structure of Programming Languages (even years)§ or Humanities elective (odd years)*
Two (2) Humanities electives*
Social Sciences elective*
Elective*

Year Four

Fall

CS 310 Software Engineering (even years)§ or CS 320 Database Systems (odd years)§
CS 500-level course requirements (6 credits)§ **
Humanities elective*
Writing elective*

Spring

CS 500-level course requirements (6 credits)§ **
CS 400 Internship§
Elective

Year Five

Fall

CS 500/600-level degree requirements/
concentration electives (12 credits)§ **

Spring

CS 500/600-level degree requirements/concentration electives
(9 credits)§ **

§ Requirement for the major or degree
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**500-level course requirements and 500/600-level degree requirements/concentration electives: CS 500 Language Design, 3 credits from CS 501A-H Programming courses (1-credit courses), CS 505 Design and Analysis of Algorithms, CS 610 Graduate Research Seminar in Computer Science, CS 698 Master’s Project or CS 699 Master’s Thesis. Computer Security and Telecommunications concentration electives: CS 520 Data Communications, CS 525 Computer Networking, CS 570 Computer Security 1, CS 571 Computer Security II, CS 620 Distributed Computing, CS 625 Cryptography, CS 670 Network Computer Defense. Software Engineering concentration electives: CS 530 Software Engineering, CS 535 Human Engineering Issues in Computer System Design, CS 555 Theory and Application of Artificial Intelligence, CS 565 Data Management Systems, CS 620 Distributed Computing

Computer Science (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

This program is for students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Computer Science. This certificate is designed for individuals who want to prepare for entry-level positions in software development. It also provides the preparatory work necessary to enter Marymount’s Master of Science in Computer Science program. Students who begin the certificate program in the fall semester can complete the program in one year.

Admission Requirements: In addition to Universitywide requirements for post-baccalaureate certificate admission, the following are required:

a demonstrated knowledge of high school algebra and trigonometry. Students with insufficient mathematics preparation will be advised to take appropriate undergraduate courses to prepare for the certificate program.

Course Waiver Policy: If a student can demonstrate a depth of prior experience and/or education in MA 181, this course may be waived.

Certificate Requirements

21 credits

CS 110-111 Programming in Java I & II
CS 220 Data Structures and Algorithms
CS 230 Computer Organization or CS 325 Data Communications and Networking
MA 181 Calculus I
MA 150 Discrete Mathematical Structures

Forensic Computing (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

This program is for students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Computer Science. This certificate is designed for individuals who want to prepare for entry-level positions in forensic computing. The coursework is inclusive of the material required by the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners for their Certified Computer Examiner certificate.

Admission Requirements: In addition to Universitywide requirements for post-baccalaureate certificate admission, the following are required:

a demonstrated knowledge of high school algebra. Students with insufficient mathematics preparation will be advised to take appropriate undergraduate courses to prepare for the certificate program.

Certificate Requirements

23 credits

CS 110-111 Programming in Java I & II
CS 120 Personal Security in the Digital Age
CS 230 Computer Organization
CS 325 Data Communications and Networking
CS 370 Computer Forensics
CJ 320 Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism

Computer Science (M.S.)

This program offers advanced study to prepare students for leadership roles in the design and production of computer software. The program prepares students for careers in industry, teaching, research, and for doctoral studies. Electives may be combined to provide a program tailored to the professional needs of the student. Concentrations in either Software Engineering or Computer Security and Telecommunications are optional.

Upon completion of the program, students should have the knowledge to:

critically read and evaluate professional and trade literature;
independently conduct and evaluate research in computer science;
analyze, design, and develop optimal solutions to real-world problems using advanced methods; and
exercise leadership roles in the development and maintenance of computer systems.

Admission Requirements: In addition to the Universitywide requirements for graduate admission, applicants must demonstrate high promise by having earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a passing score on the Sun Java Programmer Certification exam. (See note.) Applicants must also interview with a representative from the School of Arts and Sciences.

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a field other than Computer Science will be considered for admission if they complete Marymount’s Post-baccalaureate Computer Science certificate, or if they complete the following prerequisite coursework:

Introduction to Programming (in C++, Java, or another object-oriented language)
Data Structures and Algorithms
Computer Organization/Hardware or Networking
Differential and Integral Calculus
Discrete Mathematics

Students not meeting these prerequisite undergraduate courses for admission to the program must complete undergraduate or certificate courses to prepare for graduate work in Computer Science.

Degree Requirements

33 credits

CS 500 Language Design
Three (3) credits from CS 501A-H Programming courses (1-credit courses)
CS 505 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CS 525 Networking, CS 515 Advanced Computer Architecture, or CS 550 Principles of Operating Systems
CS 610 Graduate Research Seminar in Computer Science
CS 698 Master’s Project or CS 699 Master’s Thesis
12-15 credits in electives, chosen from any graduate course in Computer Science. Students have the option of choosing one of the following concentrations as a guide:
Software Engineering
- CS 530 Software Engineering
- CS 535 Human Engineering Issues in Computer System Design
- CS 555 Theory and Applications of Artificial Intelligence
- CS 565 Data Management Systems
- CS 620 Distributed Computing
Computer Security And Telecommunications
- CS 520 Data Communications
- CS 525 Computer Networking
- CS 570-571 Computer Security I & II
- CS 620 Distributed Computing
- CS 625 Cryptography
- CS 670 Computer Network Defense

Computer Security and Information Assurance (Graduate Certificate)

This program will prepare students for this growing area of interest, combining coursework in Computer Science and Information Systems. The field is predicted to foster job growth, especially in the Washington metropolitan area.

Admission Requirements: In addition to Universitywide requirements for graduate certificate admission, the applicant should hold a bachelor's degree with coursework or experience in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

Course Waiver Policy: If a student can demonstrate a depth of prior experience and/or education in CS 525 or ISY 515, these courses may be waived.

Certificate Requirements

15 credits

CS 525 Computer Networking or ISY 515 Information Security and Telecommunications
CS 570-571 Computer Security I & II
ISY 572 Information Assurance and Policy
One (1) course from the following: ISY 573 Information Security Management, CS 670 Computer Network Defense, or CS 625 Cryptography