| Chairperson: | Safa, Haidar H. |
| Professors: | El-Hajj, Wassim; Safa, Haidar H.; Sharafeddine, Sanaa |
| Associate Professors: | Abu Salem, Fatima K.; Elbassuoni, Shady ; Khabbaz, Maurice |
| Assistant Professors: | Assaf, Rida; El Hajj, Izzat; Mouawad, Amer |
| Senior Lecturer: | Jureidini, Wadi' N. |
| Lecturers: | Raheel, Saeed |
| Instructors: | Aoude, Loa; Fatairi, Nour
|
The Department of Computer Science offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science. It also offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science. For more information about the department visit
http://www.cs.aub.edu.lb/.
Mission Statement
The Department of Computer Science at the American University of Beirut prepares students for advanced studies and professional careers in the dynamically changing world of computing and information technology. Our programs combine the theoretical foundations of computing with the practical knowledge of software development vital to industry, to provide broad and integrated curriculums.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in computer science, designed to be completed typically in three years. It also offers a Master of Science (MS) program designed to provide advanced and specialized education in computing, offered in formats that meet the needs of both working professionals and full-time students.
The department has vigorous research programs in graphics and multimedia, networking and security, machine learning and data science, high-performance computing, data mining and information retrieval, and software engineering. Our faculty members are committed to contributing to the advancement of the field of computing through scholarly activities, in which our students play a vital role.
BS in Computer Science
The BS program aims at imparting graduates with a solid foundation in computing at both the theoretical and practical levels, thus conferring the ability to design, build, and deploy sophisticated systems using state-of-the-art technologies in a broad array of areas. It also develops an appreciation of the transformative impact that computing has had on a wide variety of disciplines. Students are trained in quantitative reasoning, the use of fundamental principles and ideas (abstraction, modularity, data structures, algorithmics, computability, calculus, and logic) for analysis and problem solving, and disciplined development of modern software systems. The BS program adheres to ACM’s (Association of Computing Machinery) standards for knowledge areas learning outcomes.
BS/MS in Computer Science
We propose a study plan that allows students to finish the requirements for the BS (90 credits) and MS (30 credits) degrees in four years (including summers).
BE in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
AUB is introducing a new undergraduate major in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) leading to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (BE in CSE). The BE in CSE is offered by the Electrical & Computer Engineering department in collaboration with the Computer Science department. Students who have completed the requirements for a BS in Computer Science have the option to transfer to CSE, provided they achieve a qualifying overall GPA. Transferring students can finish the CSE degree in four calendar years, provided they follow an appropriate study plan.
Minor in Computer Science
A minor in computer science requires the completion of the following 18 credits: CMPS 201, CMPS 202, CMPS 211 (or MATH 211), CMPS 214, and 6 additional credits from the following: CMPS 215, CMPS 221, CMPS 231, CMPS 240, and CMPS 244, CMPS 270, and CMPS 271. A minimum of 9 credits must be taken in the department. [Note: This minor is not open to students from the ECE Department.]
Minor in Computational Science
A minor in Computational Science requires the completion of the following 15 credits: 9 required credits (CMPS 202, MATH/CMPS 251, MATH 281 or CMPS 254), 6 credits out of the following: MATH 211 (or CMPS 211), CMPS 214, CMPS 221, DCSN 200, PHYS 222, or a tutorial course in either PHYS 231 or PHYS 232, or a chemistry course which has computational contents.
Minor in Data Science
A minor in data science requires the completion of the following 18 credits: CMPS 201 or CMPS 203, CMPS 244, CMPS 261, CMPS 262, one of the following (STAT 230, STAT 201, STAT 210, EDUC 227 or ECON 213), and MATH 218 or MATH 219. [Note: This minor is not open to Computer Science students and students from the ECE Department.]
Minor in Software Development and Design
A minor in software development and design requires the completion of the following 18 credits: CMPS 201, CMPS 202, CMPS 244, CMPS 270, CMPS 271, and one of CMPS 278, CMPS 279, and CMPS 288. A minimum of 9 credits must be taken in the Computer Science department. [Note: This minor is not open to Computer Science students and students from the ECE Department.]
Minor in Gaming
The Gaming Minor can be attained by any AUB student who fulfills 18 credits which vary depending on the student’s major.
Humanities, creative arts, graphic design, and related majors must take the following 3 courses: CMPS 201 or CMPS 203, GRDS 141, CMPS 204. Science, engineering, math, and other STEM majors (including computer science) must take the following 3 courses: CMPS 202, CMPS 285, CMPS 288.
All majors must take 2 out of the following courses: ENGL 264, ENGL 297, MCOM 291P. All majors must also take 1 out of the following courses: ENGL 254G, EDUC 275.
Degree Requirements
To graduate with a BS in computer science, a student must complete the following requirements:
University General Education Requirements
The General Education requirements are Understanding Communication - English (6 credits), Understanding Communication - Arabic (3 credits), Cultures and Histories (9 credits), Human Values (3 credits), Societies and Individuals (6 credits), Understanding the World and Quantitative Reasoning (9 credits with at least 3 credits from each), and Community Engaged Learning (3 credits).
At least one of the courses from Cultures and Histories or Human Values should be from the History of Ideas: CHLA. At least one course from your degree requirements (except Understanding Communication) should cover the theme of Social Inequalities (3 credits).
Major Requirements
- Computer science: CMPS 201, CMPS 202, CMPS 214, CMPS 215, CMPS 221, CMPS 231, CMPS 240, CMPS 244, CMPS 270, CMPS 271, and 12 additional credits in computer science courses numbered 214 and above.
- Technical electives: Three credits to be chosen from the following: CMPS elective numbered 214 or above, BIOL 251, ECON 214, ECON 217, FINA 210, MATH 210, MATH 261, MATH/STAT 234, MATH/STAT 238, PHYS 222, PHYS 228, PHYS 235, PSYC 222, PSYC 229
- Mathematics: MATH 201, and MATH 211 (or CMPS 211).
All prospective computer science majors are expected to complete CMPS 201, MATH 201, MATH 211 or CMPS 211, and CMPS 202 in the sophomore year. Computer science majors are expected to complete CMPS 214, CMPS 221, CMPS 231, CMPS 244, CMPS 270, and CMPS 271 in the junior year and maintain an average grade of at least 2.3 in computer science courses. Students must have a grade of at least C+ in CMPS 201, and a grade of at least C+ in CMPS 202 before they are allowed to enroll in most CMPS courses.
Sample Study Plan for BS
A typical study plan could have the following distribution of CMPS courses:
Students Starting in the Fall term:
First Year
- Fall term: CMPS 201, CMPS 211, MATH 201
- Spring term: CMPS 202, MATH 218, STAT 230
Second Year
- Fall term: CMPS 214, CMPS 221, CMPS 270
- Spring term: CMPS 231, CMPS 244, CMPS 271
Third Year
- Fall term: CMPS 215, CMPS 240, CMPS elective
- Spring term: CMPS elective, CMPS elective, CMPS elective
Students starting in the Spring term:
First Year
- Spring term: CMPS 201, CMPS 211 , MATH 201
- Fall term: CMPS 202, MATH 218, STAT 230
Second Year
- Spring term: CMPS 214, CMPS 231, CMPS 244
- Fall term: CMPS 215, CMPS 221, CMPS 270
Third Year
- Spring term: CMPS 271, CMPS elective, CMPS elective
- Fall term: CMPS 240, CMPS elective, CMPS elective
Sample Study Plan for BS/MS
First Year
- Fall: CMPS 201, CMPS 211, MATH 201
- Spring: CMPS 202, MATH 218, STAT 230
- Summer: CMPS 221
Second Year
- Fall: CMPS 214, CMPS 240, CMPS 270
- Spring: CMPS 231, CMPS 244, CMPS 271
- Summer: CMPS Elective
Third Year
- Fall: CMPS 215, CMPS elective, CMPS elective, CMPS elective
- Spring: 4 Graduate Courses
Fourth Year
- Fall: 3 graduate courses + comprehensive (for thesis and project options)
- Spring: 3 graduate courses (for course-based option) or 2 graduate courses + project (for project option) or thesis (for thesis option)
Introductory Courses
42 Credits in Computer Science
|
Modes of Analysis |
Understanding Communication - English and Arabic (9) |
Cultures and Histories (9), Human Values (3) |
Societies and Individuals (6) |
Understanding the World (3), Quantitative Reasoning (54) |
Community-Engaged Learning (3) |
Technical Electives (3) |
Lecture Courses (9+12+ 6+3+3 +54+3) | Required Arabic course (3) Required English courses (usually 6): ENGL 203(3), 204(3), as determined by placement | Required credits in the Cultures and Histories: 9 credits including History of Ideas and 3 credits Human Values | Required courses (6) | Required Understanding the World courses (3) Required CMPS courses (30): CMPS 201(3), 202(3), 214(3), 215(3), 221(3), 231(3), 240(3), 244(3), 270(3), 271(3) Required CMPS electives (12): to be chosen from CMPS courses above 214 Required mathematics courses (12): MATH 201(3), MATH 211(3) (or CMPS 211), MATH 218 (or 219), STAT 230 (or 233) | Required courses (3) | Required 3 credits course (3): CMPS elective numbered 214 or above, BIOL 251, ECON 214, ECON 217, FINA 210, MATH 210, MATH 261, MATH/STAT 234, MATH/STAT 238,PHYS 222, PHYS 228, PHYS 235, PSYC 222, PSYC 229 |
| Seminar (0) | | | | | | |
| Laboratory | | | | CMPS 201, 202, 278 | | |
Research
project (0 or 3) | | | | | |
|