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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Computer Science and Physics, BS

Computer Science and Physics, BS

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission
    • Information for Entering Students
    • College Expenses
    • Academic Policies and Procedures
    • University Academics
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
      • Computer Science
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data Science
      • Khoury Combined Majors
        • Chemical Engineering and Computer Science, BSChE
        • Civil Engineering and Computer Science, BSCE
        • Computer Engineering and Computer Science, BSCmpE
        • Computer Science and Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
        • Computer Science and Biology, BS
        • Computer Science and Business Administration, BS
        • Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology, BS
        • Computer Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Computer Science and Criminal Justice, BS
        • Computer Science and Design, BS
        • Computer Science and Economics, BS
        • Computer Science and English, BS
        • Computer Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Computer Science and Game Development, BS
        • Computer Science and History, BS
        • Computer Science and Journalism, BS
        • Computer Science and Linguistics, BS
        • Computer Science and Mathematics, BS
        • Computer Science and Media Arts, BS
        • Computer Science and Music with Concentration in Music Technology, BS
        • Computer Science and Philosophy, BS
        • Computer Science and Physics, BS
        • Computer Science and Political Science, BS
        • Computer Science and Sociology, BS
        • Computer Science and Theatre, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Business Administration, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Economics, BS
        • Data Science and Biochemistry, BS
        • Data Science and Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
        • Data Science and Business Administration, BS
        • Data Science and Chemistry, BS
        • Data Science and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Economics, BS
        • Data Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Data Science and Health Science, BS
        • Data Science and Journalism, BS
        • Data Science and Linguistics, BS
        • Data Science and Mathematics, BS
        • Data Science and Physics, BS
        • Data Science and Psychology, BS
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • College of Science
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

The computer science and physics combined major brings together three disciplines: computer science, physics, and mathematics. The mathematics requirements serve as a foundation for both computer science and physics. From hands-on experience with sophisticated physics instruments, to mathematical theory, to the latest computational innovations, our interdisciplinary approach will prepare students for the myriad challenges in today’s rapidly changing world.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Computer Science Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Computer Science Overview
CS 1200First Year Seminar1
CS 1210Professional Development for Khoury Co-op1
Computer Science Fundamental Courses
CS 1800
and CS 1802
Discrete Structures
and Seminar for CS 1800
5
CS 2500
and CS 2501
Fundamentals of Computer Science 1
and Lab for CS 2500
5
CS 2510
and CS 2511
Fundamentals of Computer Science 2
and Lab for CS 2510
5
CS 2800
and CS 2801
Logic and Computation
and Lab for CS 2800
5
Computer Science Required Courses
CS 3000Algorithms and Data4
CS 3500
and CS 3501
Object-Oriented Design
and Lab for CS 3500
5
CS 3800Theory of Computation4
CS 4500Software Development4
or CS 4530 Fundamentals of Software Engineering

Physics Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Required Courses
PHYS 1161
and PHYS 1162
Physics 1
and Lab for PHYS 1161
5
PHYS 1165
and PHYS 1166
Physics 2
and Lab for PHYS 1165
5
Intermediate Physics
PHYS 2303Modern Physics4
PHYS 2371
and PHYS 2372
Electronics
and Lab for PHYS 2371 (Integrative course)
4
Advanced Physics
PHYS 3600Advanced Physics Laboratory4
PHYS 3602Electricity and Magnetism 14
PHYS 4305Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics4

Capstone and Electives

Course List
Code Title Hours
Capstone
Complete either one computer science capstone or the physics capstone:4
Computer Science Capstone
CS 4100
Artificial Intelligence
CS 4300
Computer Graphics
CS 4410
Compilers
CS 4150
Game Artificial Intelligence
CS 4550
Web Development
Physics Capstone
PHYS 5318
Principles of Experimental Physics
Khoury Elective
The computer science elective is not required if the student has completed the computer science capstone (above). With adviser approval, a directed study, research, project study, or appropriate graduate-level course may also be taken as a computer science elective.
Complete 4 credits of CS, CY, DS, or IS classes that are not already required. Choose courses within the following ranges:4
CS 2500 or higher, except CS 5010
CY 2000 or higher, except CY 4930
DS 2500 or higher, except DS 4900
IS 2000 or higher, except IS 4900
Physics Elective
Only one physics elective is required if the student has completed the physics capstone (above).
Complete two courses in the following range:8
PHYS 3000 to PHYS 5999

Integrative Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Calculus
MATH 1341Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 1342Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering4
MATH 2321Calculus 3 for Science and Engineering4
Additional Mathematics Requirements
MATH 2341Differential Equations and Linear Algebra for Engineering4
MATH 3081Probability and Statistics4

Supporting Course

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete one of the following:4
AFAM 2600
Issues in Race, Science, and Technology
CY 4170
The Law, Ethics, and Policy of Data and Digital Technologies
CY 5240
Cyberlaw: Privacy, Ethics, and Digital Rights
ENGL 2150
Literature and Digital Diversity
HIST 2220
History of Technology
INSH 2102
Bostonography: The City through Data, Texts, Maps, and Networks
IS 1300
Knowledge in a Digital World
or PHIL 1300
Knowledge in a Digital World
PHIL 1145
Technology and Human Values
SOCL 1280
The Twenty-First-Century Workplace
SOCL 2485
Environment, Technology, and Society
SOCL 4528
Computers and Society

Computer Science Writing Requirement

Course List
Code Title Hours
College Writing
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
ENGW 3302Advanced Writing in the Technical Professions4
or ENGW 3315 Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines

Required General Electives

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete 24 credits of general electives.24

Khoury College GPA Requirement

Minimum 2.000 GPA required in all CS, CY, DS, and IS courses

NUpath Requirements Satisfied

  • Engaging with the Natural and Designed World 
  • Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation 
  • Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning 
  • Analyzing and Using Data 
  • Writing in the First Year 
  • Advanced Writing in the Disciplines 
  • Writing-Intensive in the Major 
  • Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Capstone

Integrating Knowledge and Skills Through Experience is satisfied through co-op.

Program Requirement

136 total semester hours required

Sample Patterns:

Four Years, Two Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 12001CS 2510
and CS 2511
5CS 3500
and CS 3501
5Vacation
CS 1800
and CS 1802
5MATH 13424MATH 23214 
CS 2500
and CS 2501
5PHYS 11654  
MATH 13414PHYS 11661  
PHYS 11614ENGW 11114  
PHYS 11621   
 20 18 9 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 2800
and CS 2801
5CS 30004Elective4Co-op
MATH 23414PHYS 36024Elective4 
PHYS 23713PHYS 43054  
PHYS 23721Computing and social issues4  
PHYS 23034CS 12101  
 17 17 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-opCS 38004PHYS 36004Co-op
 Elective4Elective4 
 PHYS elective if CS capstone (Khoury elective if PHYS capstone)4  
 CS or PHYS capstone4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1Hours 
Co-opCS 45004Elective4 
 PHYS elective4Elective4 
 MATH 30814  
 ENGW 33024  
 0 16 8 
Total Hours: 137

Five Years, Three Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 12001CS 2510
and CS 2511
5Vacation0Vacation0
CS 1800
and CS 1802
5MATH 13424  
CS 2500
and CS 2501
5PHYS 11654  
MATH 13414PHYS 11661  
PHYS 11614ENGW 11114  
PHYS 11621   
 20 18 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 3500
and CS 3501
5CS 30004Vacation0Co-op0
PHYS 23034MATH 23214  
PHYS 23713MATH 23414  
PHYS 23721PHYS 43054  
CS 2800
and CS 2801
5CS 12101  
 18 17 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0CS 38004PHYS 36004Co-op0
 Elective4Elective4 
 PHYS 36024  
 ENGW 33024  
 0 16 8 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0CS 45004Elective4Co-op0
 PHYS elective4Elective4 
 MATH 30814  
 Computing and social issues4  
 0 16 8 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
Co-op0CS or PHYS capstone4  
 PHYS elective if CS capstone (Khoury elective if PHYS capstone)4  
 Elective4  
 Elective4  
 0 16  
Total Hours: 137

Five Years, Three Co-ops in Spring/Summer 1

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 1800
and CS 1802
5CS 2510
and CS 2511
5Vacation0Vacation0
CS 2500
and CS 2501
5MATH 13424  
PHYS 11614PHYS 11654  
PHYS 11621PHYS 11661  
CS 12001ENGW 11114  
MATH 13414   
 20 18 0 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 3500
and CS 3501
5Co-op0Co-op0Vacation0
PHYS 23034   
PHYS 23713   
PHYS 23721   
CS 2800
and CS 2801
5   
CS 12101   
 19 0 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
MATH 23214Co-op0Co-op0PHYS 36004
CS 30004  PHYS 43054
MATH 23414   
Elective4   
 16 0 0 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 38004Co-op0Co-op0Elective4
Elective4  Elective4
PHYS 36024   
ENGW 33024   
 16 0 0 8
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours  
CS 45004CS or PHYS capstone4  
PHYS elective4PHYS elective if CS capstone (CS elective if PHYS capstone)4  
MATH 30814Elective4  
Computing and social issues4Elective4  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 137
  • PHYS 2303 offered every fall, spring, and summer 2
  • PHYS 2371/2372 offered every fall
  • PHYS 3600 offered every summer 1 and summer 2
  • PHYS 3601 offered spring and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 3602 offered every fall and spring
  • PHYS 3603 offered fall (even years) and summer 1 (odd years)
  • PHYS 4115 offered every fall and spring
  • PHYS 4305 offered every spring and summer 2 (even years)
  • PHYS 4621 offered spring (odd years) and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 4623 offered summer 1 and fall (even years)
  • PHYS 4651 offered spring and fall (odd years)
  • PHYS 4652 offered every spring
  • PHYS 5318 offered every spring
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