Applied Computer Science, BS

Applied computer science is a degree program for those students who want and need the knowledge and expertise of computer science to work in one of the many disciplines that require advanced computing techniques. The program offers four areas of focus: bioinformatics, computer game design, geography, and software engineering. Some career paths are: software consulting, bioinformatics and data management, graphics and game development, defense software analysis.

Find degree requirements in the university catalog.

Highlights from the university catalog

Total credits: 120

Concentrations:

Bioinformatics
Computer Game Design
Geography
Software Engineering

Applied Computer Science, BS

Please see the University Catalog for complete program requirements and policies, and discuss all program plans with an academic advisor.  Certain courses may fulfill multiple requirements across the Mason Core general education program, the college or school, and/or the specific program.

In addition to the program described below, the Department of Computer Science offers a Computer Science Honors Program for students with strong computational foundations and the drive to delve deeper into computing.  The program is based on the bachelor of science in computer science and applied computer science curriculum and is distinct from the University Honors College curriculum.
 

Degree Requirements (120 credits total)

Mason Core General education program required for all undergraduate students.

College Requirement(s) n/a

Major Requirements (90-98 credits)
 

ACS foundation courses (24 credits):

• CS 101 - Preview of Computer Science (2 credits)
• CS 105 - Computer Ethics and Society (1 Credit)
• CS 112 - Introduction to Computer Programming (4 credits)
• CS 211 - Object-Oriented Programming (3 credits)
• MATH 113 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 credits)
• MATH 114 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits)
• MATH 125 - Discrete Mathematics I (3 credits)
• MATH 203 - Linear Algebra (3 credits)

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

ACS core (23 credits)  

• ECE 301 - Digital Electronics (3 credits)
• CS 262 - Introduction to Low-Level Programming (2 credits)
• CS 310 - Data Structures (3 credits)
• CS 321 - Software Requirements and Design Modeling (3 credits)
• CS 330 - Formal Methods and Models (3 credits)
• CS 367 - Computer Systems and Programming (3 credits)
• CS 465 - Computer Systems Architecture (3 credits)
• CS 483 - Analysis of Algorithms (3 credits)

ACS elective (3 credits)

• One CS course numbered above 400 except CS 498.

Communication (3 credits)

• COMM 100 - Public Speaking (3 credits)

Concentration (67 credits)  

Concentration in Bioinformatics (BNF)  

Foundation (17 credits)  

• PHYS 160 - University Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 161 - University Physics I Laboratory (1 Credit)
• CHEM 201 - Introductory Chemistry IChemistry (3 credits)
• BIOL 213 - Cell Structure and Function (4 credits)
• CS 306 - Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (3 credits)
• STAT 344 - Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)

Core (19 credits)

• BINF 450 - Bioinformatics for Life Sciences (4 credits)
• BIOL 482 - Introduction to Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
• BIOL 580 - Computer Applications for the Life Sciences (3 credits)
• CS 450 - Database Concepts (3 credits) 
• BINF 401 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology I (3 credits)
• CS 444 - Introduction to Computational Biology   (3 credits)
• BINF 402 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology II (3 credits)
  Or CS 445 - Computational Methods for Genomics  (3 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)

• CS 225 - Culture and Theory of Games (3 credits)
• CS 306 - Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (3 credits)
• CS 325 - Introduction to Game Design (3 credits)
• CS 351 - Visual Computing (3 credits)
• AVT 104 - Studio Fundamentals (4 credits)
• STAT 344 - Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (3 credits)

Core (15 credits)

• CS 425 - Game Programming I (3 credits)
• CS 426 - Game Programming II (3 credits)
• CS 451 - Computer Graphics (3 credits)
• AVT 382 - 2D Experimental Animation (3 credits)
• AVT 383 - 3D Experimental Animation (3 credits)
• One approved elective related to game design (3 credits)  
  • CS 332 - Object-Oriented Software Design and Implementation (3 credits)
  • CS 455 - Computer Communications and Networking (3 credits)
  • CS 475 - Concurrent and Distributed Systems (3 credits)
  • CS 480 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
  • CS 485 - Autonomous Robotics (3 credits)
  • SWE 432 - Design and Implementation of Software for the Web (3 credits)
  • GAME 332 - RS: Story Design for Computer Games (3 credits)
  • AVT 370 - Entrepreneurship in the ArtsArt and Visual Technology (3 credits)
  • AVT 374 - Sound Art (3 credits)
  • AVT 487 - Advanced Topics: New Media Art (3 credits)

Natural Science (8 credits)

• PHYS 160 - University Physics (3 credits)
• PHYS 161 - University Physics (1 Credit)
• One additional lab science (4 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 (4 credits)

Concentration in Geography (GEOG)  

Foundation (21 credits)  

• CS 306 - Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (3 credits)
• GGS 101 - Major World Regions (3 credits)
• GGS 102 - Physical Geography (3 credits)
• GGS 103 - Human Geography (3 credits)
• GGS 110 - Maps and Mapping (3 credits)
• GGS 300 - Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis (3 credits)
• STAT 344 - Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)

Core (22 credits)  

• GGS 310 - Introduction to Digital Cartography (4 credits)
• GGS 311 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
• GGS 411 - Advanced Digital Cartography (3 credits)
• GGS 412 - Air Photography Interpretation (3 credits)
• GGS 416 - Satellite Image Analysis (3 credits)
• GGS 463 - Applied Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
• One GGS course numbered above 300 (3 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)

• STAT 344 - Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I (3 credits)
• CS 306 - Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (3 credits)

Core (10 credits)

• SWE 205 - Software Usability Analysis and Design (3 credits)
• SWE 301 - Internship Preparation (0 credits)
• SWE 401 - Internship Reflection (1 Credit)
• CS 332 - Object-Oriented Software Design and Implementation (3 credits)
• SWE 437 - Software Testing and Maintenance (3 credits)

SWE related (15 credits)

Choose 15 credits from the following:

• CS 450 - Database Concepts (3 credits)
• CS 455 - Computer Communications and Networking (3 credits)
• CS 463 - Comparative Programming Languages (3 credits)
• CS 468 - Secure Programming and Systems (3 credits)
• CS 471 - Operating Systems (3 credits)
• CS 475 - Concurrent and Distributed Systems (3 credits)
• SWE 432 - Design and Implementation of Software for the Web (3 credits)
• SWE 443 - Software Architectures (3 credits)

Cross-disciplinary (6 credits)

• ENGH 388 - Professional and Technical Writing (3 credits)
• One of the following:
  • 3 PSYC 333 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
  • COMM 320 - Business and Professional Communication (3 credits) 
  • COMM 335 - Organizational Communication  (3 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. Applied Computer Science majors must take the Natural Sciences section of ENGH 302.

Students who major in Applied Computer Science can expect to launch successful careers in industry, government, financial services, game design, in higher education, or as entrepreneurs. Many current students work part-time for government contracting companies, small businesses, or with the Virginia Serious Games Institute. They also collaborate with faculty on research projects and take advantage of the opportunity to have their scholarly work published before graduation.

Known for teaching excellence, the Computer Science Department faculty have won University-wide awards for course planning and preparation; curriculum development; and innovative teaching, advising, and undergraduate and graduate mentoring. In 2015 tech giant Google awarded a three-year, $900K grant to the department for its Self-Paced Learning Increases Retention and Capacity (SPARC) project. Students in introductory Computer Science classes benefit from active-learning strategies, and flipped classrooms as they work at their own pace in teams with faculty facilitators.

Extra curricular opportunities abound for computer science students as they may participate in robotics programming for competition (RoboPatriots), the Student Run Computing and Technology (SRCT- pronounced circuit), Patriot Hackers, Game Analysis and Design Interest Group (GADIG), and more.

The major offers concentrations in the following areas:

• Bioinformatics
• Computer Game Design
• Geography
• Software Engineering

This information is being provided here for your planning purposes only. For official catalog information, please refer instead to the official George Mason University Catalog Website at http://catalog.gmu.edu.