Computer Science: Traditional
Please refer to the current University Catalog to see the course descriptions and a major description with requirements for computer science.
Computer Science offers two choices for students majoring in computer science - the traditional program and the computer information systems concentration. Each is tailor-made for a challenging and practical course of study and paves the way for a dynamic career path or graduate school. Students interested in studying the breadth of the computer science discipline including topics: artificial intelligence, gaming, graphics, hardware, simulation, and the theoretical foundations of computing, will be attracted to the traditional computer science program.
Students who have LITTLE or NO PRIOR computer programming experience should enroll in CPSC 110. This course provides the programming experience necessary for further study in computer science.
Students interested in either program with prior computer programming experience should enroll in CPSC 220. Students who do not have AP credit for CPSC 110 but have sufficient experience to skip CPSC 110 and go directly to CPSC 220 should send email to cpscdept@umw.edu to arrange for permission to register for CPSC 220. This course partially satisfies the General Education requirement for Quantitative Reasoning and provides the programming experience necessary for further study in computer science.
If a student has had prior programming experience, but is unsure about the appropriate starting point to continue his or her studies, he or she can request to take the CPSC department’s online placement test by sending email to cpscdept@umw.edu.
Course Placement Based on AP Score:
Students who earned a 3 or better on the A exam will be awarded three credits and be exempted from CPSC 110. These students should select CPSC 220 to continue their studies in computer science or the computer information systems concentration.
Students who earned a 4 or better on the AB exam will be awarded four credits and be exempted from CPSC 220. These students should select CPSC 230A and CPSC 125A to continue their studies in computer science or the computer information systems concentration.
Students who earned a 3 on the AB exam will be awarded three credits and be exempted from CPSC 110. These students should select CPSC 220 to continue their studies in computer science or the computer information systems concentration.
Students who earned a 5 or higher on the HL exam will be awarded three credits and be exempted from CPSC 110. These students should select CPSC 220 to continue their studies in computer science or the computer information systems concentration.
Students who earned a 5 or higher on the HL exam (IB Information Technology in a Global Society) earn credit for CPSC 103 but do not receive SI credit.
In all cases, placement adjustments can be made during the first week of the semester.
In addition to CPSC 110 or 220, students should take CPSC 125, Introduction to Discrete Mathematics since it is a prerequisite to Computer Science 305 and 414. CPSC 125 should be taken before the junior year. Students should also complete through MATH 122, Calculus II, prior to the junior year.
If you are entering UMW with transfer credit for introductory level courses in this major, please refer to the major requirements and course prerequisites in the University Catalog (see above) to see what courses you are required to take for the major and what prerequisites you have already met.
Please be sure to remember the General Education and Across-the Curriculum Requirements and how your individual transfer credit affects the remaining courses you must take at UMW for a BA/BS degree.