Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Computer Science is the study of the design and use of computer systems.

The curriculum’s required courses give students a strong foundation in both the software and hardware aspects of computing, as well as the mathematics and science that underlie the discipline. The electives in the later years allow students to study a particular area of computer science in greater depth. An option in Bioinformatics is available for those wanting to focus on applications of computer science to molecular biology, biochemistry and medicine.

Program Requirements can be found in the UMass Lowell online Academic Catalog.

View the Degree Pathways for CS majors:

• Computer Science -General Option
• Computer Science - Data Science Option
• Bio-Cheminformatics Option
  

Other program information:

• Course Listing & Descriptions
• Learning Outcomes

The Computer Science minor is primarily intended for students in the sciences, engineering or other field with a substantial quantitative component who are looking to acquire a fairly deep CS background to complement their major. A student who successfully completes the coursework gains depth in CS beyond the requirements of the student's major department.  

• Program Requirements

For admissions information, visit the UML admissions site:

The Computer Science Department offers a five-year combined BS/MS Program, in which students earn both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees.

Two major advantages of the program: 

• The ability in some cases to count computer science courses for both your undergraduate and your graduate degrees and
• Being accepted into the master's program without taking the Graduate Record Examination.

CS majors who want to take advantage of this program should consider taking one or two qualifying graduate courses during their senior years. Foundations of Computer Science (COMP.5020) and Algorithms (COMP.5030) are good choices. Either of these can count as an undergraduate CS elective and as a master's degree course. Only credits beyond the 120 required for the BS can be double-counted.

The rules governing double-counting of courses are as follows:

• Any graduate course allowed for graduate CS credit may be taken as an undergraduate course and double-counted. 
• With the permission of the Undergraduate Coordinator, certain project-oriented pairs of graduate courses may be taken for the undergraduate project sequence, and may be double-counted.
• The double-counting of 4000-level courses requires case-by-case Graduate Committee approval.

As always, students must satisfy prerequisites before they enroll in courses.

Please note that some graduate courses offered by the CS Department do not carry credit even for our own graduate students. For example, you cannot receive credit for COMP.5000.

To be accepted into this program, you must have good grades and apply in your junior year. There are many rules governing eligibility. Please see the Graduate Catalog.

There are advantages and disadvantages to pursuing your master’s degree at the university as your bachelor's. Please discuss this with your academic advisor or other faculty member.

This program is managed by the CS Graduate Coordinator, not the Undergraduate Coordinator.