UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE Programs

Computer Science BA Program Requirements

All courses required by the Computer Science Program must be taken for a grade; courses taken pass/fail will not count.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed with a grade of C or better. A grade of C- is insufficient.

Computer Science Courses (50 credit hours)

• COS 100 – Success in Computer Science (1 credit)
• *COS 125 – Introduction to Problem Solving Using Computer Programming (4 credits)
• COS 135 – Applied C Programming (3 credits)
• *COS 140 – Foundations of Computer Science (3 credits)
• *COS 225 – Object-Oriented Design, Programming, and Data Structures (3 credits)
• COS 226 – Introduction to Data Structures (3 credits)
• COS 235 – Computer Architecture (3 credits)
• COS 301 – Programming Languages (3 credits)
• COS 331 – Operating Systems (3 credits)
• COS 397 – Computer Science Capstone 1 (3 credits)
• COS 420 – Introduction to Software Engineering (3 credits)
• COS 430 – Introduction to Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• COS 490 – Computers, Ethics, and Society (3 credits)
• COS 497 – Computer Science Capstone 2 (3 credits)
• Nine additional credit hours from COS 3XX, COS 4XX, COS 5XX, or approved substitutes.

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Mathematics (15 credit hours)

• *MAT 126 – Calculus I (4 credits)
• MAT 127 – Calculus II (4 credits)
• COS 250 – Discrete Structures (4 credits)
• Statistics (choose one):
  • STS 235 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • STS 332 – Statistics for Engineers (3 credits)
  • STS 435 – Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3 credits)

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Science (7-8 credit hours)

The B.A. program has no additional science requirements beyond those specified in the University’s general education requirements. Students must complete two courses in the physical or biological sciences, at least one of which must have a laboratory.

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Capstone Experience

To meet the capstone requirement for the B.A., students must apply their accumulated knowledge to address a specific problem. This requirement is fulfilled by completing:

• COS 397 – Computer Science Capstone 1
• COS 497 – Computer Science Capstone 2

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English (6 credit hours)

• *ENG 101 – College Composition (3 credits)
• ENG 317 – Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)

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Minor Requirement

All B.A. students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must complete an approved minor outside the major.

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Model Curriculum for the B.A. in Computer Science

We provide here two model curricula, one for students who are calculus-ready and one for students who are not.  Calculus-readiness is assessed by the student having achieved a grade of C or better in MAT 122 Pre-Calculus; or no grade record in MAT 122 and a passing score on Part 3 of the Math Placement Exam (a score of 76 or higher on the ALEK exam) to allow you to enter MAT 126 or higher.   If you are calculus-ready, Model A is the model curriculum that applies to you; if not, then see Model B.

These curricula illustrate two possible ways of meeting the BA degree requirements within four years. Most students will not follow the model curriculum exactly.  Electives may be moved around and some adjustments might need to be made based on credit hours of courses taken (e.g.,  if you take a 4 credit statistics course instead of a 3 credit course). Please be aware: (1)  that certain students on financial aid must take a minimum of 15 credits per semester; (2) that sufficient hours must be included to reach the University degree minimum of 120; and (3) all School, College and University requirements must be met.  You should discuss your planned schedule and progress with your assigned academic advisor during registration times each semester.

The term “General education” below should be interpreted to mean a course helping to satisfy the Human Values and Social Context portion of the General Education requirements. The other portions are satisfied by our own requirements for the degree.  “Electives” are free electives, but you should consider using them to meet the requirements of your minor if needed.

Note that this assumes that none of the general education classes will count for your minor or vice versa, which would be unusual.  This total can be reduced by the judicial selection of minor and general education courses that can count for both.  We suggest deciding on your minor early and mapping out the courses required so that you can determine which general education requirements remain.

NOTE: All courses required by the Computer Science Program must be taken for a grade; courses taken pass/fail will not count.  (An exception to this policy may be in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic; see umaine.edu/return for further information.) Courses marked with an asterisk (*) below must be completed with a grade of “C” or better in each. A grade of C- is insufficient.