Major in Computer Science

The Computer Science major requires 81-83 units. A minimum of 30 major units must be taken at Towson University. Students cannot double major in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems, or in Computer Science and Information Technology.

Required Computer Science Courses
CIS 377INTRODUCTION TO CYBERSECURITY3
COSC 236INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I 1, 24
COSC 237INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE II 24
COSC 290PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER ORGANIZATION4
COSC 336DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHM ANALYSIS4
COSC 350DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING3
COSC 412SOFTWARE ENGINEERING3
COSC 439OPERATING SYSTEMS3
COSC 455PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES: DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION3
COSC 457DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS3
Required Math Courses
MATH 263DISCRETE MATHEMATICS3-4
or MATH 267 INTRODUCTION TO ABSTRACT MATHEMATICS
MATH 273CALCULUS I4
MATH 274CALCULUS II4
MATH 330INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS4
Elective Computer Science Courses
Select at least two of the following:6
COSC 417
INTRODUCTION TO THE THEORY OF COMPUTING
COSC 432
REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS & MODELING
COSC 436
OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN & PROGRAMMING
COSC 459
COMPUTER SIMULATION & MODELING
COSC 461
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COSC 467
FOUNDATIONS OF DATA MINING
COSC 471
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
COSC 483
DESIGN & ANALYSIS ALGORITHMS
Select at least two of the following:6
COSC 397
INTERNSHIP IN COSC
or COSC 495
 INDEPENDENT STUDY
COSC 431
SELECTED TOPICS COMPUTER SCIENCE
COSC 435
MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
COSC 440
OPERATING SYSTEMS SECURITY
COSC 442
SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING
COSC 450
NETWORK SECURITY
COSC 458
APPLICATION SOFTWARE SECURITY
COSC 465
ROBOTICS
COSC 484
WEB-BASED PROGRAM
Science Requirement
Select two lab science courses from the following (the courses do not need to form a sequence):8
BIOL 200
& 200L
BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LECTURE]
and BIOLOGY I: INTRODUCTION TO CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS [LAB]
BIOL 206
& 206L
BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LECTURE]
and BIOLOGY II: INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION [LAB]
CHEM 131
& 131L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
CHEM 132
& 132L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY
GEOL 121
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
PHYS 241
GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED
PHYS 242
GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED
Elective Math Course
Select one from the following:3-4
MATH 265
ELEMENTARY LINEAR ALGEBRA
MATH 275
CALCULUS III
MATH 314
INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGRAPHY
MATH 315
APPLIED COMBINATORICS
MATH 369
INTRODUCTION TO ABSTRACT ALGEBRA
MATH 374
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
MATH 377
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATH 378
EXPERIMENTAL MATHEMATICS
MATH 435
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS I
MATH 437
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
MATH 451
GRAPH THEORY
Other Requirements
Must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher.
COMM 131PUBLIC SPEAKING (Core 5)3
COSC 418ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL CONCERNS OF COMPUTER SCIENTISTS (Core 14)3
ENGL 317WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Core 9)3
Total Units81-83
1

COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236. 

2

COSC 236 and COSC 237, or their equivalents, must be taken at the same institution.

Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
COMM 131 (Core 5)3COSC 23724
COSC 2361, 24MATH 2744
MATH 273 (Core 3)4Lab-Science (from approved list) (Core 7)4
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
 14 15
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
COSC 3364COSC 2904
MATH 263 or 2673COSC 4123
Lab-Science (from approved list) (Core 8)4MATH 3304
Core 63Core 103
Core 123 
 17 14
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3773COSC 4393
COSC 3503COSC 4553
COSC 4573Math Elective4
ENGL 317 (Core 9)3Core 133
Core 113Elective3
 15 16
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
COSC Elective (from approved list)3COSC 418 (Core 14)3
COSC Elective (from approved list)3COSC Elective (from approved list)3
Core 43COSC Elective (from approved list)3
Elective3Elective3
Elective2Elective3
 14 15
Total Units 120
1

COSC 175 and (MATH 119 or MATH 231 or a qualifying score in the Math placement test) is needed as a prerequisite to COSC 236.

2

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.