Chairperson:
| Safa, Haidar H.
|
| Professors: | El-Hajj, Wassim; Safa, Haidar H. |
| 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: | Kobeissi, Mohamed A.; 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 https://www.aub.edu.lb/fas/cs/Pages/default.aspx
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 after the freshman year. 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 theoretical computer science, systems,
machine learning and data science, 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
A study plan is presented that allows students to finish the requirements for the BS and MS
degrees in four years (including summers) after the freshman year.
BE in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
AUB also offers a program in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) leading to the degree
of Bachelor of Engineering (BE). The BE in CSE is offered by the Department of Electrical &
Computer Engineering in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science. Students
who have completed the requirements for a BS in Computer Science have the option to
transfer to the BE program in 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 3 additional credits from the following: CMPS 215, CMPS 221, CMPS 231, CMPS 240, CMPS 241, and CMPS 271, and 3 additional credits from CMPS courses numbered 214 and above (except CMPS 297T). [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 18 credits: 12
required credits (CMPS 201 or CMPS 203, CMPS 202, MATH/CMPS 251, MATH 281 or CMPS
254), 6 credits out of the following: MATH 211 (or CMPS 211), DCSN 200, PHYS 222, or a tutorial course in either PHYS 231 or PHYS 232, a course in bioinformatics, 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 201, STAT 210, STAT
230, STAT 233, BUSS 200, EDUC 227,ECON 213, or NURS 203), 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, and CMPS 271, and two of CMPS 270, CMPS 278,
CMPS 279, and CMPS 288. [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 the 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 240, CMPS 241, CMPS 271, and 18 additional credits in computer
science courses numbered 214 and above (except CMPS 297T).
- Technical electives: Three credits to be chosen from the following:
CMPS elective numbered 214 or above (except CMPS 297T), 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, MATH 211 (or CMPS 211), MATH 218 (or MATH 219),
and STAT 230 (or STAT 233).
All prospective computer science majors are expected to complete CMPS 201, MATH 201,
MATH 211 or CMPS 211, MATH 218, CMPS 202, and STAT 230 in the sophomore year. Computer science majors are expected to complete CMPS 214, CMPS 221, CMPS 241, and CMPS
271 in the junior year, and CMPS 215, and CMPS 240 in the senior 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 241
- Spring term: CMPS elective, CMPS elective, 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 221, CMPS elective
- Fall term: CMPS 241, CMPS 271, CMPS elective
Third Year
- Spring term: CMPS 215, 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 241, CMPS elective
- Spring: CMPS 215, CMPS 240, CMPS 271
- Summer: CMPS Elective
Third Year
- Fall: CMPS 215, CMPS elective, CMPS elective, CMPS graduate course
- Spring: CMPS elective, 3 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)
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
(24): CMPS
201(3),
202(3), 214(3),
215(3), 221(3), ,
240(3), 241(3),
270(3) Required
CMPS electives (18):
to be chosen
from CMPS
courses
above
214 (Except
CMPS 297T) 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
(Except
CMPS
297T),
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) | | | | | |
|