The Computer Science Department offers a variety of course types to support students\u2019 learning, skill development, and exploration of the field. Below is an overview of the main course formats and a list of all the courses offered within the department.<\/b><\/p>\n
Note: CS majors and joint majors have specific course requirements for their degree programs. Students should refer to the detailed course requirements and sample plans of study on the <\/span>Academic Programs page<\/span><\/a> to ensure they are staying on track.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>CS Bulletin<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Topics Courses<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/em> If you’re interested in exploring computer science or fulfilling general requirements, we offer several introductory courses with no prerequisites. Most of these can be taken in any order\u2014except for the CS 111\/112 sequence, which should be taken consecutively.<\/span><\/p>\n CS 101: Introduction to Computing<\/strong> CS 103: Introduction to Internet Technologies and Web Programming<\/strong> CS 105: Introduction to Databases and Data Mining<\/strong> CS 108: Introduction to Applications Programming<\/strong> CS 111: Introduction to Computer Science I<\/strong> CS 112: Introduction to Computer Science II <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n CS Topic<\/b> (e.g., CS 391, 392, 501, 599)<\/b> are non-regular offerings that cover specialized or advanced areas of computer science. Topics vary by semester and instructor. These 4-credit courses must be taken for a letter grade and can often be used to fulfill Group D requirements, MS requirements (if CS 500+), or advanced elective requirements for the CS minor. <\/span>Students may take multiple topic courses, though they cannot repeat the same section.<\/b><\/p>\n Topics Courses & Descriptions<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n Requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n To apply fill this form <\/a><\/span>with your advisor and submit along with your project description to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dora Erdos <\/span>edori@bu.edu<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n This program is open to exceptional undergraduate students who desire to complete a research \u201ccapstone\u201d experience as <\/span>part of their CS major or CS joint major.<\/span> Interested students may contact <\/span>csadvise@bu.edu<\/span> for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n Eligibility<\/b><\/p>\n Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n How to Apply<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/strong><\/p>\nTypes of CS Courses<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n
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\nCourses for Non-Majors<\/h3>
\n<\/span>Computers are taken for granted in today\u2019s society, but most users have no knowledge of how computers work. CS 101 helps students gain a deeper appreciation of the capabilities and limitations of computing. Questions addressed include: What is a computer? How does computation happen? How is information represented within a digital computer? What is computer programming? What are algorithms, how do we measure their efficiency, and why does this matter? Why does a computer have an operating system, and what does it do? What is the Internet, and how does it work? How do applications like Google and Facebook perform their magic?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>CS 103 invites students to engage with the Web in order to gain an understanding of what it is, how to use it, and how to contribute to it. Students learn to view the Web and the underlying Internet architecture as instances of the mathematical abstraction of a network. They learn how modern Web technologies like search exploit fundamental aspects of networks, and they thereby become more effective users of these technologies. Finally, students become active contributors to the Web by learning the basics of Web programming and by creating a full-blown original website as an independent semester-long project.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Databases are everywhere. Retailers use data about customers and purchases to increase profits. Researchers analyze genomic data to find treatments for diseases. Online music and video services use data mining to deliver customized recommendations. How does all this work? CS 105 examines how data is organized, analyzed, and displayed. Topics include relational databases and the SQL query language, the writing of programs to analyze data, the principles of data visualization, and data-mining techniques for discovering patterns in data. At the end of the course, students apply the topics they have learned to a collection of data that interests them.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>As a society, we have become dependent on computer applications in our personal and professional lives\u2014from email programs and database software to the programs that drive the websites where we shop online. But what is computer software, and how is it developed? CS 108 is an introduction to object-oriented and procedural programming that covers the fundamental constructs and patterns present in all programming languages, with a focus on developing applications for users. While learning to program, students also develop problem-solving skills and ways of thinking that can be applied to a variety of disciplines. (Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS CS 111.) For more information, please refer to the<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The first course for computer science majors and anyone seeking a rigorous introduction. Develops computational problem-solving skills by programming in the Python language, and exposes students to variety of other topics from computer science and its applications. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Prereq: CAS CS 111 or equivalent. Covers advanced programming techniques and data structures. Topics include recursion, algorithm analysis, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, tables, searching, and sorting.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nTopics Courses<\/h3>
\nSpecial Courses<\/h3>
Directed Study in Computer Science
\n<\/i><\/b>A Directed Study in CS is a course in which a student pursues independent research under the guidance of a CS faculty member. Students should consult with their supervising faculty member to design a clear, explicit plan for the completion of the directed study course including supervision, research materials, and assignments. <\/span>Directed studies are registered under the course number CS491\/492 and have to be taken for 4 credits.<\/span><\/h4>\nSee <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> for the general guidelines for directed studies in CAS.<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\nHonors in the Major (2-Course Capstone)<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n
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\nCS 298: Undergraduate Internship in Computer Science<\/a><\/em>
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<\/h4>\nHelpful Links<\/h3>\n