Page 84 of Boston College 2004-2005 Catalog by Boston College University

ARTS AND SCIENCES 82 The Boston College Catalog 2004-2005 First Year Computer Science Majors First year students considering majoring in Computer Science should plan to complete the programs calculus requirement (MT 101 or higher) during first year year. Most will enroll in MT 100 in fall semester and continue to MT 101 in spring semester. Students who either carry advanced mathematics placement, or who have completed a year of calculus in high school, should enroll directly in MT 101 (or a more advanced course) in the fall semester. First year students wishing to double major in Computer Science and Mathematics should take the calculus sequence recommended for the Mathematics major. Freshmen with some prior programming experience or strong technical skills are encouraged to take CS 101 Computer Science I or CS 102 Computer Science II in their first semester. Those students who have had no programming experience may consider beginning with an introductory computer course (e.g., CS 074) in their first year. First year students who have achieved a score of 4 or higher on the Computer Science A.P. Examination, or students entering with significant programming backgrounds, should speak with the Computer Science chairperson about proper course placement (e.g., directly taking CS 102). First Year Non-Majors The department offers five introductory courses in computer science: CS 021, CS 074, CS 101, CS 127 and CS 157. CS 021 is designed to teach students how to use computers effectively in a business setting. Students learn to use a variety of application packages including spreadsheets, database systems, and the Internet. This course is required for all students in the Carroll School of Management but it is also a popular elective with College of Arts and Sciences students who want business computer skills. CS 074 is a gentle survey of computer science, intended for Arts and Sciences students who know little to nothing about computing. It is an excellent course both for becoming more computer literate and as a preparation for the CS 101 course. CS 101 is the introductory programming course. It is required of all Computer Science majors and minors and is a prerequisite for all advanced computer science courses. Therefore, students who wish to take more than one course in computer science will need to take CS 101 sometime. The skills needed to write computer programs come easily to some people and less easily to others. Students who have little or no programming experience and are apprehensive about their ability should consider enrolling in CS 074 before enrolling in CS 101. CS 127 is an introduction to programming with an orientation to scientific applications. This course is taught using the C programming language. It is the first course in the minor in Scientific Computation. CS 157 is an introduction to programming with an orientation to management applications. This course is taught using the Visual Basic programming language and is required for Information Systems concentrators in the Carroll School of Management. The Minor Program The minor program in Computer Science is designed to provide an introduction to computer science, primarily for Mathematics and science majors. It is also suitable for students with a strong secondary interest in computer science and good analytical skills. Six courses are required for completion of the minor: CS 101 Computer Science I CS 102 Computer Science II CS 271 Computer Systems or CS 272 Computer Organization One elective course numbered 200 or above Two elective courses numbered 300 or above Departmental Honors Computer Science majors of junior or senior standing with at least a 3.3 grade point average in CS courses are eligible to join the Departmental Honors Program. In order to graduate with the Departmental Honors designation, the student must maintain at least a 3.3 grade point average in CS courses, and they must complete a senior thesis. In order to complete a senior thesis, an eligible student must have a thesis proposal approved by a faculty advisor and by the Honors Committee by the end of their junior year; they must complete two sections of CS 397 Honors Thesis during their senior year with grades of B+ or higher; they must submit a written honors thesis by the last day of class in the second semester of their senior year; and they must make an oral presentation of their thesis at the of end their senior year. Bachelor of Arts students participating in the Honors Program are required to take both sections of CS 397 Honors Thesis in addition to the ten required courses. Thus, they are required to take twelve computer science courses. Bachelor of Science students may count one section of CS 397 Honors Thesis as a departmental elective. Thus they are required to take thirteen computer science courses in all. Course Availability Most introductory courses (e.g., CS 021, 074, 101, 102, and 157) are available every semester. All courses that are required for the major are offered at least once each academic year. Most advanced electives are offered only in alternate years; hence, student schedules should be designed carefully. Course Credit Information All Computer Science courses are prefixed by the letters CS and are registered as courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. However, because the department serves both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Carroll School of Management, some courses are considered to be primarily management-oriented. These courses (CS 021, CS 157, CS 257 and CS 258) are cross-listed with the Operations, Information, and Strategic Management Department in the Carroll School of Management. CS 260 is also cross-listed with the Operations, Information, and Strategic Management Department but it is not primarily management-oriented. Carroll School of Management Concentrations The Computer Science Department offers a concentration in Computer Science for students in the Carroll School of Management. The requirements for this program are described below. Students in the Carroll School of Management can also complete a concentration in Information Systems through the department of Operations, Information, and Strategic Management. For a description of the Information Systems concentration, see the section on the Department of Operations, Information, and Strategic Management. Students in the Carroll School of Management are also able to fulfill either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science through the College of Arts and Sciences. For information on these programs and for a description of the Computer Science faculty, refer to the College of Arts and Sciences program description listed above. The College of Arts and Sciences also offers a minor in Scientific Computation. Information about this program can be found under Minors in the Arts and Sciences section. Computer Science Concentration The Computer Science (CS) concentration emphasizes technical and theoretical issues in computing. Graduates are prepared to enter technical computer software development positions as well as positions in information technology management. Students interest-

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