a c a d e m i c     p r o g r a m s

College of Computer Science

The invention of powerful computers and the development of complex software programs have fundamentally transformed the way people work and live. Computers are now essential tools in business, industry, science, medicine, and human services. Computers also enhance the efforts of individuals and volunteer groups to meet their goals. In addition, the most sophisticated work in music, film, and video often makes use of computer technology. The College of Computer Science believes that computing is one of the most exciting fields of study and that its applications are limitless.

The college offers two undergraduate degree programs in computer science, one undergraduate degree program in information science, and three dual majors. The Bachelor of Science in computer science emphasizes strong technical competence in computer science, mathematics, physics, and electrical engineering. The Bachelor of Arts in computer science combines a computer science major with a broad-based liberal arts education. The Bachelor of Science in information science integrates concepts and techniques from computer science, business, and the behavioral/social science. The current dual majors are with mathematics, physics, and cognitive psychology. The Bachelor of Science in computer science is accredited by the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board.

also in this section: computer science information science dual majors class entrance requirements minor in computer science degree requirements

Computer Science

In the computer science programs, students learn about the principles and practices that support the development of high-quality software. Computer science as a discipline draws its inspiration from many fields: mathematics, science, engineering, and art. From mathematics, students learn to think logically and to build complex structures from simple and secure components. From the experimental sciences, students learn to estimate the performance of algorithms and then test these estimates in real life. From engineering, students learn to treat program design as a complicated set of tradeoffs between computer resources (execution time, memory needs, peripherals), programmer resources (development time and available software tools), and customer needs (what must be done and how soon). Finally, from art, students learn to value the beauty of the internal program code as well as the quality of the external user interface. The students are trained to understand and practice the diverse skills that are needed to make a significant contribution to the field of computing.

The undergraduate programs in computer science treat a variety of subject areas in computing, such as algorithms, data structures, programming language design, compilers, computer architecture, operating systems, database systems, graphics, artificial intelligence, and parallel computing. Qualified students may choose electives from a wide range of more advanced graduate courses. Students may also work individually with professors on research projects or may volunteer with the systems staff in order to enhance their technical experience.

Information Science

The interaction between information technology and users is the focus of the new Bachelor of Science degree in information science (IS), offered by Northeastern University beginning in the fall of 1999. Information science is concerned with the applications of information technology Ñ that is, the function, the design, and the impact of computer-based systems. IS students acquire a strong technical foundation along with the ability to analyze information needs, and to plan, design, and develop the computer applications that users want. Information science is an interdisciplinary field. It stresses communication and organizational problem-solving as well as technical problem-solving.

The core curriculum in information science covers three broad areas: computing technology, information system design and development, and the human/organizational context. Students begin with a foundation of both computer science and behavioral science, including basic programming, algorithms and data structures, logic, computer structures, and object-oriented design for a strong technical foundation; and psychology, human cognition, organizational behavior, applied statistics, and a two-course social science sequence for a strong behavioral foundation.

Building on these foundations, information science core courses such as database design, telecommunications, human-computer interaction, and information resources management provide a sophisticated understanding of each of these areas and its relationship with the others. A course in empirical research methods for information scientists provides students with the tools to objectively evaluate the usefulness, usability, and impact of information technology. Additional elective courses address important topics such as text- and hypertext-based information retrieval, electronic commerce, artificial intelligence, and data mining. A capstone course for IS students includes a field study during the final co-op experience, where students - with faculty supervision - observe firsthand the relationship between technical/design issues and the human/organizational context. This is followed by a senior seminar where students write and present a research paper based on the field study.

Dual Majors

The college currently offers three dual majors: Computer Science and Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, and Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology. The fundamental propose of the dual-major degree programs is to permit students to take the most critical subjects in two undergraduate majors and nevertheless graduate in the standard time frame. The dual majors support interdisciplinary work by providing a framework of core courses in each of two disciplines that is supported by some integrative courses and by the general education requirements of the Arts and Science Bachelor of Science degree. Generally, a student takes up to thirteen courses in each major, at least two integrative courses, up to eleven courses in English, social science, and science, as well as some free electives. Specific curriculum information about the dual majors may be obtained from the college administration office in 161 Cullinane Hall or by calling 617.373.2462.

Normally, the undergraduate degree program is five years, including seven quarters of on-the-job cooperative education in industry. Students may complete the program in four years with a reduced cooperative education component. Because the experience acquired in industry can contribute tremendously to a student's academic and personal development, the college is strongly committed to the principle of cooperative education. See course descriptions for more information.

Class Entrance Requirements

The minimum overall quality-point averages listed are required for students to advance to the next rank and to graduate.

Sophomore	1.8
Middler	2.0
Junior	2.0
Senior	2.0
To graduate	2.0

In addition, a minimum quality-point average of 2.0 in all computer science courses (any course number with a COM prefix) is required for graduation. For additional information, consult the College of Computer Science Undergraduate Student Guidebook.

Minor in Computer Science

This minor is particularly valuable to noncomputer-science students seeking positions where a familiarity with computer science concepts and techniques is desirable. Four required level-one courses must be completed, plus three additional computer science courses elected from a number of courses specified by the college. Details may be obtained from the dean's office.

Five-Year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Curriculum

Quarter 1	COM 1100, Fundamentals of Computer Science; COM 1121, Computer Science Overview 1; ENG 1110, College Writing 1; MTH 1137, Discrete Mathematics; and one basic social science or MTH 1139, Modeling with Functions.
Quarter 2	COM 1101, Algorithms and Data Structures 1; COM 1122, Computer Science Overview 2; MTH 1140, Calculus for Science Majors 1; one basic social science and one arts and sciences core course or general elective.
Quarter 3	COM 1201, Algorithms and Data Structures 2; ENG 1111, College Writing 2; and one basic social science or arts and sciences core course or general elective.
Quarter 4	IS 1200, Principles of Information Science; COM 1130, Computer Organization and Design; PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; and PSY 1111, Foundations of Psychology 1.
Quarter 5	COM 1204, Object-Oriented Design; COM 1315/IS 1315, Database Design; HRM 1432, Organizational Behavior, and PSY 1112, Foundations of Psychology 2.
Quarter 6	IS 1361, Information System Analysis and Design; ECN 1250, Statistics; PSY 1364, Cognition; and one arts and sciences core course or general elective.
Quarter 7	IS 1510, Empirical Research Methods for Information Science; MSC 1335, Telecommunications; ENG 1125, Technical Writing 1; and one arts and sciences core course or general elective.
Quarter 8	IS 1362, Information System Development; MSC 1341, Information Resource Management; SOC 1485, Computers and Society; and one information science elective or concentration course.
Quarter 9	COM 1337, Computer/Communication Networks; IS 1320, Human-Computer Interaction; one information science elective or concentration course; and one arts and sciences core course or general elective.
Quarter 10	IS 1611, Information Science Field Study (taken while on co-op); two information science electives or concentration courses, and two arts and sciences core courses or general electives.
Quarter 11	IS 1612, Information Science Senior Project; one information science elective or concentration courses; and two arts and sciences core courses or general electives.
Five-Year Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science Curriculum (with computer science courses beginning in the first year)
Quarter 1	COM 1100, Fundamentals of Computer Science; COM 1121, Computer Science Overview 1; ENG 1110, College Writing 1; MTH 1137, Discrete Mathematics; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 2	COM 1101, Algorithms and Data Structures 1; COM 1122, Computer Science Overview 2; MTH 1140, Calculus for Science Majors 1; MTH 1187, Probability; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 3	COM 1201, Algorithms and Data Structures 2; ENG 1111, College Writing 2; MTH 1141, Calculus for Science Majors 2; and one general elective.
Quarter 4	COM 1130, Computer Organization and Design; PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; one science elective; and one general elective.
Quarter 5	COM 1204, Object-Oriented Design; COM 1350, Automata and Formal Languages; MTH 1142, Calculus for Science Majors 3; and one science elective.
Quarter 6	COM 1340, Recursive Thinking; COM 1390, Algorithms; one general elective; one science elective; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 7	COM 1358, Analysis of Programming Languages; ENG middler-year writing requirement; and two arts and sciences core courses.
Quarter 8	MTH 1301, Linear Algebra 1; SOC 1485, Computers and Society; one computer science elective; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 9	One computer science elective; one general elective; and two arts and sciences core courses.
Quarter 10	One computer science elective; two general electives; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 11	COM 1621, Computer Science Seminar; one computer science elective; two general electives; and one arts and sciences core course.
Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Curriculum
Quarter 1	COM 1100, Fundamentals of Computer Science; COM 1121, Computer Science Overview 1; ENG 1110, College Writing 1; MTH 1137, Discrete Mathematics; and one basic social science or MTH 1119, Precalculus for Computer Science.
Quarter 2	COM 1101, Algorithms and Data Structures 1; COM 1122, Computer Science Overview 2; MTH 1140, Calculus for Science Majors 1; MTH 1187, Probability A; and one basic social science.
Quarter 3	COM 1201, Algorithms and Data Structures 2; ENG 1111, College Writing 2; MTH 1141, Calculus for Science Majors 2; and one sub-area or general elective or basic social science.
Quarter 4	COM 1130, Computer Organization and Design; PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; PHY 1221, Physics 1; PHY 1521, Physics 1 Lab; and one sub-area or general elective.
Quarter 5	COM 1204, Object-Oriented Design; MTH 1142, Calculus for Science Majors 3; PHY 1222, Physics 2; PHY 1522, Physics 2 Lab; and one sub-area or general elective.
Quarter 6	COM 1350, Automata and Formal Language; ENG 1125, Technical Writing; PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 3; one sub-area or general elective.
Quarter 7	COM 1330, Operating Systems Concepts; COM 1340, Recursive Thinking; ECE 1178, Digital Electronics for Computer Science Majors; MTH 1301, Linear Algebra 1; and SOC 1485, Computers and Society.
Quarter 8	COM 1358, Analysis of Programming Languages; ECE 1229, Digital Systems Laboratory; ECE 1382, Computer Engineering 2: Design of Digital Logic Machines and Circuits; one computer science elective; and one sub-area or general elective.
Quarter 9	COM 1390, Algorithms; MTH 1240, Chaos and Fractals, or MTH 1349, Numerical Analysis 1, or MTH 1390, Mathematical Statistics; one computer science elective; and one sub-area or general elective.
Quarter 10	COM 1205, Software Design and Development; COM 1391, Data; and two sub-area or general electives.
Quarter 11	COM 1621, Senior Seminar; two computer science electives; and two sub-area or general electives.
Four-Year Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science Curriculum
Quarter 1	COM 1100, Fundamentals of Computer Science; COM 1121, Computer Science Overview 1; ENG 1110, College Writing 1; MTH 1137, Discrete Mathematics; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 2	COM 1101, Algorithms and Data Structure 1; COM 1122, Computer Science Overview 2; MTH 1140, Calculus for Science Majors 1; MTH 1187, Probability; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 3	COM 1201, Algorithms and Data Structure 2; ENG 1111, College Writing 2; MTH 1141, Calculus for Science Majors 2; and one general elective.
Quarter 4	COM 1130, Computer Organization and Design; PHL 1215, Symbolic Logic; one science course; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 5	COM 1204, Object-Oriented Design; COM 1350, Automata and Formal Languages; MTH 1142, Calculus for Science Majors 3; and one science course.
Quarter 6	COM 1358, Analysis of Programming Languages; one general elective; and two arts and sciences core courses.
Quarter 7	COM 1340, Recursive Thinking; COM 1390, Algorithms; MTH 1301, Linear Algebra; SOC 1485, Computers and Society; and one science course.
Quarter 8	ENG middler-year writing requirement; one computer science elective; one general elective; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 9	One computer science elective; one general elective; and two arts and sciences core courses.
Quarter 10	One computer science elective; two general electives; and one arts and sciences core course.
Quarter 11	COM 1621, Computer Science Seminar; one computer science elective; two general electives; and one arts and sciences core course.