CAS: Computer Science

Sample Pathway

Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a degree in computer science. Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the computer science department to plan their own pathway to a computer science degree.

Gap Semester Recommended external course: Calculus I (equivalent to CAS MA 123).* Note: Prior approval must be granted for all external coursework.
Semester I Semester II
Freshman Year CGS RH 103
CGS SS 103 
CGS HU 103
CAS CS 111†		 CGS Required Courses (London or Boston-New England semester)
Sophomore Year CGS NS 201
CGS HU 201  
CAS CS 112
CAS CS 131		 CGS NS 202
CGS SS 202
CAS CS 210†
Group B Course
Junior Year CAS CS 330
Group B Course
Second Language (if needed)
Elective**		 Group C Course
Group D Course
Second Language (if needed)
Elective**
Senior Year Group C Course
Group D Course
Group D Course
Second Language (if needed) 		 Group D Course
Group D Course
Group D Course
Second Language (if needed)

*Computer science majors are expected to be comfortable with standard high school mathematics as a well as calculus at a level equivalent to completion of CAS MA 123. Students who have prior calculus experience should consult with Dr. Dora Erdos to determine whether they are proficient.

†Please contact a CS advisor (names are listed below) to request permission to add the class.

**Choose your non-major electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. Please see here for more information on which BU Hub units are satisfied by the computer science major. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit.

College of General Studies Program Requirements

  • Two rhetoric courses: CGS RH 103 and CGS RH 104
    • CGS RH 104 is taken during the London semester
  • Two natural science courses: CGS NS 201 and CGS NS 202
  • Three social science courses:
    • CGS SS 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
    • Students select at least two additional SS courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection
  • Three humanities courses:
    • CGS HU 104 is required and is taken during the London semester
    • Students select at least two additional HU courses and will work with their academic advisor to determine course selection

Major Requirements

The major in computer science requires a total of fifteen 4-credit courses, all completed with a grade of C or higher. For required courses, please see the CAS Bulletin.

CAS computer science electives are CS courses numbered 400 or above. Please also note that CS major credit will not be given for Metropolitan College courses and CAS courses below CAS CS 111.

For more information about the major, please see the Computer Science Department webpage.

Please contact Pluto Davis and Julie Lizardo (csadvise@bu.edu), Academic Advisors, for further guidance on degree planning.

Continuation Requirements

  • Completion of the CGS required courses and appropriate electives
  • Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.00

Graduation Requirements

Boston University students completing a degree in CAS must also complete the following requirements. 

  • BU Hub requirements
    • Students who take the specific CGS courses noted on the pathway above will fulfill all BU Hub requirements except the units listed below. These remaining Hub units will be fulfilled through the following courses:
    • Quantitative Reasoning II (1 unit) fulfilled by CAS CS 111 or CAS CS 112
    • Creativity/Innovation (2 units) fulfilled by CAS CS 111 and CAS CS 112
    • You will fulfill the remaining Hub units – Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy (1 unit), Teamwork/Collaboration (1 unit), and Writing-Intensive Course (1 unit) – through the courses you take for your CAS major and/or other electives.
  • CAS requirements:
  • Computer Science major requirements
  • CAS requires a minimum of 128 credits, excluding PDP, ROTC, and FY and SY courses.

This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.

It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.

Last revised: 02/07/2025