Program Overview

Applied Computer Science, BS

The Applied Computer Science program presents an innovative approach to the integration of computer science with other disciplines that require expertise in computing techniques. These disciplines do not merely use computing but create new and interesting problems for computer scientists.

Policies

• Advanced Placement, Credit by Exam: A score of 4 on the Advanced Placement (AP) computer science exam qualifies students for credit in CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming. A score of 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) computer science exam qualifies students for credits in CS 112, and a score of 5 or more qualifies students for credit in CS 211 Object-Oriented Programming.
• Change of Major: Students requesting a change of major to Applied Computer Science must meet with the College of Engineering and Computing Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising and have a GPA of at least 2.75 in computer science and math courses.
• Grades: Students must earn a C or better in any course intended to satisfy a prerequisite for a computer science course.
• Program Requirements: For the BS ACS degree, students must complete 120 credits, including the Mason Core requirements. The program requires foundation, core, and concentration courses.
• Repeating Courses: Students may attempt an undergraduate course taught by the College of Engineering and Computing twice. A third attempt requires approval of the department offering the course.
• Writing-Intensive Requirement: Computer science majors complete the writing-intensive requirement through a sequence of projects and reports in CS 405 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional and CS 321 Software Engineering.

Degree Requirements

• Total credits: 120
• Students must complete all ACS Foundation and ACS Core requirements, as well as the requirements from one selected concentration.

Concentrations

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• AI Foundation: CS 405, MATH 213, STAT 344, and completion of one of the following Natural Science sequences.
• AI Core: CS 480, CS 484, and 6 credits chosen from CS 478, CS 482, CS 485, CS 489, or CS 499.
• AI Related Electives: 15 credits selected from CS 4---, PHIL 376, OR 441, LING 471, STAT 472, or PSYC 375.

Bioinformatics (BNF)

• Foundation: PHYS 160, PHYS 161, BIOL 213, CHEM 211, CHEM 213, CS 405, and STAT 344.
• Core: BINF 450, BIOL 482, BIOL 580, CS 450, CS 471, and select one CS course numbered above 400.
• BNF Related Electives: Select two approved electives related to bioinformatics.

Business Management (BMGT)

• Foundation: STAT 250, CS 405, BUS 100, PSYC 100, MGMT 303, and MKTG 303.
• Core: MGMT 313, MGMT 321, MGMT 451, MGMT 453, CS 471, and select one CS course numbered above 400.
• MGMT Related Electives: Select 9 credits from MGMT 300-499.

Business Marketing (BMKT)

• Foundation: STAT 250, CS 405, BUS 100, PSYC 100, MGMT 303, and MKTG 303.
• Core: MKTG 312, MKTG 351, MKTG 471, CS 471, and select one CS course numbered above 400.
• MKTG Related Electives: Select 12 credits from MKTG >3xx.

Computer Game Design (CGDS)

• Foundation: GAME 230, CS 405, CS 325, CS 351, AVT 104, and STAT 344.
• Core: AVT 382, AVT 383, CS 425, CS 426, CS 451, CS 471, and select one CS course numbered above 400.
• CGDS Related Electives: Select one course from the following.

Geoinformatics (GINF)

• Foundation: CS 405, GGS 102, GGS 103, GGS 110, GGS 300, and STAT 250.
• Core: CS 471, select one CS course numbered above 400, GGS 310, GGS 311, GGS 366, and GGS 379.
• GINF Related Electives: Select 12 credits from the following.

Intelligence Analysis and Chinese Studies (IACN)

• CS Related: Select two courses from CS 455, CS 468, CS 471, CS 475, CS 487, and select one course from SOCI 213 or STAT 250.
• Chinese Language: Select 12 credits from the following.
• Intelligence Analysis: Select 9 credits from the following.
• Chinese Studies: Select 12 credits from the following.

Intelligence Analysis and Korean Studies (IAKR)

• CS Related: Select two courses from CS 455, CS 468, CS 471, CS 475, CS 487, and select one course from SOCI 213 or STAT 250.
• Korean Language: Select 12 credits from the following.
• Intelligence Analysis: Select 9 credits from the following.
• Korean Studies: Select 12 credits from the following.

Intelligence Analysis and Middle Eastern Studies (IAME)

• CS Related: Select two courses from CS 455, CS 468, CS 471, CS 475, CS 487, and select one course from SOCI 213 or STAT 250.
• Arabic Language: Select 12 credits from the following.
• Intelligence Analysis: Select 9 credits from the following.
• Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies: Select 12 credits from the following.

Intelligence Analysis and Russian Studies (IARU)

• CS Related: Select two courses from CS 455, CS 468, CS 471, CS 475, CS 487, and select one course from SOCI 213 or STAT 250.
• Russian Language: Select 12 credits from the following.
• Intelligence Analysis: Select 9 credits from the following.
• Russian Studies: Select 12 credits from the following.

Linguistics (LING)

• Foundation: LING 300, LING 306, STAT 344, and CS 405.
• Core: LING 331, LING 335, LING 338, LING 471, CS 478, and select one course from the following.
• Linguistics Breadth: Select one of the following.
• LING Related Electives: Select three courses from the following.

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

• Foundation: CHEM 211, CHEM 213, MATH 213, MATH 214, PHYS 160, PHYS 161.
• Core: ME 211, ME 212, ME 221, ME 231, ME 313, ME 322, ME 323, ME 443, ME 444.
• CS Related Electives: Select 6 credits from the following.
• ME Related Electives: Select 6 credits from the following.

Software Engineering (SWE)

• Foundation: STAT 344, CS 405.
• Core: SWE 205, SWE 301, SWE 401, SWE 419, SWE 437, CS 471, and select one CS course numbered above 400.
• SWE Related Electives: Select 15 credits from the following.
• Cross-Disciplinary: ENGH 388, and select one from the following.

Technology Policy (TCHP)

• Foundation: GOVT 101, GOVT 134, GOVT 150, GOVT 300.
• Core: CS 405, select one CS course numbered above 400, GOVT 352, GOVT 363, GOVT 366, GOVT 426, GOVT 460, GOVT 492.
• TCHP Related Electives: Select 12 credits from the following.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Applied Computer Science, BS/Computer Science, Accelerated MS

• Overview: Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS can complete both a BS-ACS and a Computer Science, MS in five years.
• Admission Requirements: Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.30 and have successfully completed CS 310 and CS 330 with a grade of B or higher.
• Accelerated Option Requirements: Students may earn up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees.

Applied Computer Science, BS/Data Analytics Engineering, Accelerated MS

• Overview: Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS can complete both a BS-ACS and a Data Analytics Engineering, MS in five years.
• Admission Requirements: Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.30 and have successfully completed CS 310 and CS 330 with a grade of B or higher.
• Accelerated Option Requirements: Students may earn up to 9 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees.

Applied Computer Science, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS

• Overview: Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS program can complete both a BS-ACS and an Information Systems, MS in five years.
• Admission Requirements: Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.30 and have successfully completed CS 310 and CS 330 with a grade of B or higher.
• Accelerated Option Requirements: Students may earn up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees.

Applied Computer Science, BS/Software Engineering, Accelerated MS

• Overview: Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS can complete both a BS-ACS and a Software Engineering, MS in five years.
• Admission Requirements: Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.30 and have successfully completed CS 310 and CS 330 with a grade of B or higher.
• Accelerated Option Requirements: Students may earn up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees.