CAS: Linguistics & Computer Science

Students with advising inquiries should work with advisors from the Computer Science and Linguistics departments.

Computer Science Advising: Students should contact the appropriate CS Academic Advisor below based on the first letter of their last name:

• Libby James (etjames@bu.edu): Last names Che – Kh
  
• John Newton (jsnewton@bu.edu): Last names Bj-Cha; Ki-M
• Michael Coulombe (coulombe@bu.edu): Last names Aa-An; N – S
  
• Stacie Nardizzi (nardizzi@bu.edu): Last names Ao-Bi; T-Z

Linguistics Advising: Please contact Kelly Capri (kcapri@bu.edu), Assistant Director of Academic Advising at CAS, with any questions.

Upon completion of the CGS program, students must have earned credit towards the following 10 courses:

• Humanities: 3 courses
  • Choose two from CGS HU 103, CGS HU 201, or CGS HU 202
  • CGS HU 104*
• Natural Sciences: 2 courses
  • CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
• Rhetoric: 2 courses
  • CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104*
• Social Sciences: 3 courses
  • Choose two from CGS SS 103, CGS SS 201, or CGS SS 202
  • CGS SS 104*

*Required course taken during the Summer term.

The joint major in Linguistics & Computer Science requires a total of fifteen 4-unit courses.

Six courses in Linguistics:

• CAS LX 250 Introduction to Linguistics
• CAS LX 301 Phonetics & Phonology: Introduction to Sound Systems
• CAS LX 321 Syntax: Introduction to Sentential Structure
• CAS LX 331 Semantics & Pragmatics: Introduction to Linguistic Meaning
• Two additional CAS LX courses at or above the 300 level

Seven courses in Computer Science:

• CAS CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science 1
• CAS CS 112 Introduction to Computer Science 2
• CAS CS 131 Combinatoric Structures
• CAS CS 132 Geometric Algorithms
• CAS CS 210 Computer Systems
• CAS CS 237 Probability in Computing
• CAS CS 330 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms

One additional course in Computer Science or Linguistics, from the following options:

• CAS CS 542 Machine Learning
• One CAS LX course at the 400 level

One course in Computational Linguistics or Natural Language Processing, from the following:

• CAS CS 505 Introduction to Natural Language Processing
• CAS LX 496 Introduction to Computational Linguistics

For more information about the major, please see the Linguistics Department website.

• Completion of the CGS curriculum and appropriate electives
• Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements. 

• BU Hub requirements
  • Students who take the specific CGS courses noted on the pathway above will fulfill all BU Hub requirements except those listed below. These remaining Hub requirementswill be fulfilled through the following courses:
    • Quantitative Reasoning II (1 requirement) fulfilled by CAS CS 111 or CAS CS 112
    • Creativity/Innovation (2 requirements) fulfilled by CAS CS 111 and CAS CS 112
    • Teamwork/Collaboration (1 requirement) fulfilled by CAS LX 331
  • You will fulfill the remaining Hub requirement– Writing-Intensive Course (1 requirement) – through the courses you take for your CAS major, other electives, or Hub Cocurricular Experiences.
• CAS requirements:
  • Second Language requirement
  • Natural Sciences Laboratory requirement*
• Linguistics & Computer Science major requirements
• CAS requires a minimum of 128 units, excluding PDP, ROTC, and FY and SY courses.

*Note: The CAS Natural Sciences Laboratory Requirement is met through completion of College of General Studies Program of Study.