Computer Science

College of Arts & Sciences

  • Introduction to Computer Science 1

    CAS CS 111

    Online offering. This course is a rigorous introduction to programming for students intending to major or minor in Computer Science, Data Science, and related disciplines. The course introduces numeric, string, and list data, functions, decisions, recursion, iteration, and object- orientation. Applications include matrix operations, image manipulation, games, rules-based and generative artificial intelligence, and searching. Learning to program is a skill that can only be learned through practice -- it cannot be acquired from merely watching a series of lectures. Rather, students will learn through a combination of short readings; mini-lecture videos; interactive examples; and complex problem sets. Students must actively engage with these examples and problem sets to develop both the muscle memory of programming as well as a mental model of how programs execute and interact with data. Students will learn new concepts independently and attend regular workshop sessions to develop debugging skills and to obtain assistance with problem sets. The structure of the online class demands that students be intrinsically motivated to acquire programming skills, so that they will be motivated to keep up with a demanding schedule of learning activities and problem sets. To be successful in this course, students must be prepared to dedicate approximately 25-30 hours per week to the learning objectives. Students must have a Mac or Windows computer on which they can install the required software for the course. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 13-June 27)

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 15)

    CAS CS 111 Online: Introduction to Computer Science 1

    Students must register for a LEC and a LAB. Instructor Permission Required.

    CS111 is a rigorous programming class, in which each topic/problem set builds upon the previous ones. Due to the intense Summer Term schedule, it is not possible to catch up from missing any topic or problem set.

    Students must plan for 25-30 hours of work per week. There are 2 problem set workshops per week, and students need to dedicate 5-8 hours of active preparation before each workshop. It is not possible to do the problem sets without adequate preparation.

    There is zero tolerance for use of Chat GPT or other AI tools to solve problem sets, quizzes, and exams. Students suspected of using these tools will be subject to oral examination by the instructor, and students unable to explain their work or solve similar problems will receive an automatic grade of F in the course. Students who refuse an oral exam will receive an F in the course.

    Students wishing to take the course must email Prof. Aaron Stevens azs@bu.edu to seek approval. If he approves, he will help facilitate your registration through the Summer Term office.

    SUM 1 Schedule
    Lecture: O1
    Lab Workshops meet Tuesday and Friday
    W1 – 10am-12pm
    W3 - 12pm-2pm
    W5 - 3pm-5pm
    W7 - 6pm-8pm
    W9 - 8pm-10pm

    SUM 2 Schedule
    Lecture: O2
    Lab Workshops meet Tuesday and Friday
    W2 – 10am-12pm
    W4 - 12pm-2pm
    W6 - 8pm-10pm

    BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

    Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

    For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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  • Combinatoric Structures

    CAS CS 131

    Representation, analysis, techniques, and principles for manipulation of basic combinatoric structures used in computer science. Rigorous reasoning is emphasized. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 1 (May 13-June 27)

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 15)

    BU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB Courses

    Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2025, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2025 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

    For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/online-learning/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information.

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Metropolitan College

  • Introduction to Programming

    MET CS 201

    Introduction to problem-solving methods and algorithm development. Includes procedural and data abstractions, program design, debugging, testing, and documentation. Covers data types, control structures, functions, parameter passing, library functions, and arrays. Laboratory exercises in Python. Laboratory course. 4 cr. Tuition: $3260

    Summer 2 (June 30-August 8)

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