VIU’s location in the Northern Virginia area, “Silicon Valley II,” means that graduates of our Computer Science program have ample opportunities to move immediately into employment or go on to advanced study.

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is designed to give a student a state of the art education in both the theory and practice of computer science. Upper-level courses involve students in team projects that emphasize industrial processes and practices.

The program provides a blend of theory and applications, preparing students for a variety of computer science and software engineering positions in scientific and business fields, and lays the foundation for graduate studies employment in a wide range of industrial and technological environments.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (CS) is established to train students to create solutions for information systems-based needs and problems in commercial, financial, governmental, or other types of organizations. The approach of this degree program is to integrate theoretical and practical aspects of information technology and business systems.

Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science program emphasizes the design and use of computer technology to develop information processing systems. The program provides students with broad range of computer knowledge and practical skills required in most of business and industry areas today. Successful graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. No minor degree is associated with this major.

General Education Courses (GEC)
The general education requirements are designed to give each student a breadth of experience in academic disciplines. These learning experiences provide an introductory basis to fields of study and discuss how each discipline conducts its research, thus adding to general knowledge. General education courses are designed to help a student develop a useful perspective of cultural, political, scientific, and economic issues.

Undergraduate students are required to meet the general education requirements listed below. Students should choose 12 courses from the list below in consultation with the academic advisor, and all of those 12 courses should be taking during the first year of academic study.

Social Sciences: (Choose one)

Laboratory Sciences: (Choose two)

World Literatures: (Choose two)

Course offerings may vary from time to time without prior notice. Please consult your advisor before you make your choice.

Core Courses
Students need to take 14 CS core courses including Senior Computer Design Project I and II in their third and fourth year of study at VIU.

Math Courses

Electives
Students are also required to take 6 CS elective courses from the following list during their third and fourth year.

Other Electives

In their third and fourth year at VIU, students take 4 electives from other majors. VIU strongly recommends and believes that courses from the undergraduate business program will provide students ample opportunity to understand and excel in the business field.