Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

About

Computer science is the study of computers, computer software and computational systems including their theory, design, development and application. Principal areas within computer science include Internet and web programming, mobile system development, data mining and machine learning, social networks, video game development, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, database systems, programming languages, software engineering and theory of computing. Computer science incorporates concepts from mathematics, engineering and psychology.

What is the difference between the BS and BA Computer Science Degree?

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science is a program for students who are interested in design and development of computer software. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a program for students to study computers, computer software and computation systems including their theory, design, development, and application.

The major difference in math/science requirements between BSCS and BACS is that BSCS requires students to take higher level math and science courses. On the other hand, the students in the BACS program take general education level math and science courses. Furthermore, BSCS covers all aspects of computing, including theoretical foundations, software and systems, and BACS focuses more on software development. 

Computer Science Undergraduate Degree Program Information

• Admission Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Program Summary
• Mission, Objectives and Student Outcomes

Core Courses

All students must take the following core courses, which total 51 credits.

Semi-Core Courses

Students seeking a specialty may consider taking electives in an area of study. A few suggested areas of study follow

Students must have completed COP 3530, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, with a minimum grade of "C" before being eligible to register for directed independent study. Students are permitted to take no more than the equivalent of one course (3 credits) to satisfy degree requirements.

***Please check University Catalog for newest updates. 

Additional Resources

• Student Learning Outcomes Assessment (pdf)
• Course Syllabi
• eLearning Fully Online Option, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• General Education Curriculum
  • Computer Science (BA)
    • 2024-25
  • Computer Science (BS)
    • 2024-25

Admission Requirements

All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) with Major in Computer Science is intended for students interested in software development. The program prepares students for a career in the field of Computer Science with focus on software development. The B.A. in Computer Science is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, but unlike FAU's B.S. in Computer Science, it is not accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students

Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the Transition Guides .

All courses not listed with the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Admission Requirements for a Second BA in Computer Science

This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science degree at FAU.

Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first B.A.C.S. at FAU.

Degree Requirements

The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) degree is 120 credits. This degree will be awarded to students who satisfy all admission and degree requirements for the department.

Students entering FAU with fewer than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are satisfied normally if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college.

Students must complete 39 credits of B.A.C.S. courses and 18 credits of Computer Science
Electives with a grade of "C" or better.

Pass/Fail Grades: Courses taken as pass/fail are not accepted for Computer Science students.

Degree Requirements for a Second BA in Computer Science

The minimum number of FAU credits needed to earn a second bachelor's degree (B.A.C.S.) is 30 credits at the 3000 level or higher.

1. Students must have completed 39 credits of core courses in the B.A.C.S. program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

2. Students must have completed 6 credits of Computer Science electives. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

3. Students must have completed the math prerequisites necessary to take the core and elective courses in the program.

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Mission

• To produce graduates with a strong grasp of fundamentals of computer science, knowledge in technical specialty areas and an appreciation of the power of collaborative effort applied to problem solving.
• To offer courses and programs that stimulate innovation and enhance the ability of graduates to achieve high levels of professional development and to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
• To conduct research in selected areas and to integrate research results with teaching activities.
• To provide service to the profession and community and forge strategic alliances with other professions.

Educational Objectives

Within three to five years of graduation, CS graduates are expected to exhibit the following professional characteristics:

• Career advancement: They will be successful in practicing the profession of computer science through their education and training in critical computational thinking skills, analytical and problem-solving ability, software design and development expertise, and communication and teamwork experience.
• Professionalism: They will act with both professional and social responsibility in their career field, including a commitment to protect both occupational and public health and safety, and a commitment to apply ethical standards related to the practice in computer science.
• Lifelong learning: They will continue to develop their knowledge and skills through progress toward or completion of graduate education, and/or other professional development for successful adaptation to technological and cultural changes in society.

Student Outcomes

Based on the Educational Objectives of the BACS program, the department has established the following student learning outcomes for the baccalaureate program in Computer Science.

Graduates will be able to:

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

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Program Summary (Requires 120 credits)

General Education

Course Title	Credits
Foundations of Written Communication	6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior	6
Foundations of Global Citizenship	6
Foundations of Humanities	6
Foundations of Science and the Natural World	6
Subtotal	30

Mathematics

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Methods of Calculus	MAC 2233	3
Introduction to Statistics	STA 2023	3
Subtotal		6

B.A.C.S Courses

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics	CAP 4773	3
Computer Logic Design	CDA 3203	3
Principles of Software Engineering	CEN 4010	3
Software Engineering Project  or  Mobile App Project	CEN 4910  or COP 4655	3 3
Introduction to Programming in Python	COP 3035	3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python	COP 3410	3
Introduction to Database Structures	COP 3540	3
Introduction to Internet Computing	COP 3813	3
Python Programming	COP 4045	3
Object-Oriented Design and Programming	COP 4331	3
Computer Operating Systems	COP 4610	3
Advanced Database Systems	COP 4703	3
Foundations of Computing	COT 2000	3
Subtotal		39

Electives

To satisfy the Computer Science (CS) elective requirement, all students must take 18 credits chosen from Computer Science and Computer Engineering upper-division courses that are not in the Computer Science Core. Certain 5000-level or 6000-level courses may be taken as CS electives.

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Computer Science Electives	See Advisor  for current list	18
Free Electives	See Advisor  for current list	27
Subtotal		120

Students seeking a specialty may consider taking electives in an area of study. A few suggested areas of concentration follow.

Internet Technology

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Introduction to Data Communications	CNT 4104	3
Foundations of Cybersecurity	CNT 4403	3
Mobile App Projects	COP 4655	3
Advanced Database Systems	COP 4703	3

Cybersecurity

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Cyber Physical System Security	CIS 4213	3
Operating Systems Security	CIS 4367	3
Foundations of Cybersecurity	CNT 4403	3
Network and Data Security	CNT 4411	3

Machine Learning and Data Science

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Introduction to Deep Leaning	CAP 4613	3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence	CAP 4630	3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning	CAP 4770	3

The following courses may be taken as Computer Science Electives

Course Title	Course Number	Credits
Direct Independent Study	COT4900	1-3
Topics in Computer Science and Engineering	COT 4930	1-3
Topics in Computer Science	COT 5930	1-3

**Please check University Catalog for newest updates.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 

Admission Requirements

All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of the University Catalog for detailed information. 

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed in the University Catalog in order to be accepted into the Computer Science program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students

Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the Transition Guides .

All courses not listed with the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Admission Requirements for a Second BS in Computer Science

This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at FAU.

Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first bachelor's degree in Computer Science at FAU.

Degree Requirements

The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) degree is 120 credits. All courses that count toward the degree must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. This degree will be awarded to students who satisfy all admission and degree requirements for the department. Items below are referenced in the table following the list. This degree program is available in person and fully online.

1. Students entering FAU with fewer than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are satisfied normally if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college.
2. At least one course must have a laboratory component.
3. For those students who are also pursuing a math minor, STA 4032, Probability and Statistics for Engineers, can be substituted for EEE 4541, Stochastic Processes and Random Signals.

Pass/Fail Grades: Courses taken as pass/fail are not accepted for Computer Science students.

Degree Requirements for a Second BS in Computer Science

1. Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at FAU, at the 3000 level or higher, beyond those required for the first degree. Students earning two degrees simultaneously (a dual degree) must earn at least 150 credits.
2. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits required for the major from FAU.
3. Students must have completed at least 15 credits in mathematics including discrete mathematics with mathematical rigor at least equivalent to introductory calculus. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."
4. Students must have completed at least 6 credits (or equivalent) in natural science coursework intended for science and engineering majors. At least one course must have a laboratory component. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C." 
5. Students must complete 51 credits of core courses listed in the Computer Science degree program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

Undergraduate Computer Science Degree Program

Mission

• To produce graduates with a strong grasp of fundamentals of computer science, knowledge in technical specialty areas and an appreciation of the power of collaborative effort applied to problem solving.
• To offer courses and programs that stimulate innovation and enhance the ability of graduates to achieve high levels of professional development and to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
• To conduct research in selected areas and to integrate research results with teaching activities.
• To provide service to the profession and community and forge strategic alliances with other professions.

Educational Objectives

• Preparation for Practice. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions in their discipline and for graduate/professional studies.
• Tools for Creativity. Graduates will experience the creative and design processes and their application to typical engineering situations.
• Societal Awareness. Graduates will receive the breadth of education necessary to integrate practice in their disciplines with the needs and interests of a diverse modern society.
• Leadership Skills. Graduates will be prepared for leadership in their disciplines.

Student Outcomes

Based on the Educational Objectives of the BSCS program, the department has established the following student learning outcomes for the baccalaureate program in Computer Science.

Graduates will be able to:

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

MS with Major in Computer Science

The Master of Science with Major in Computer Science (MSCS) prepares students for careers in industry in various positions such as Software Engineer, Software Architect, Big Data Engineer, Data Analytics Engineer, Database Engineer, Mobile Application Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, and Senior Application Developer. Students in the program build a foundational background in computer science theory, software development and computer systems, and are exposed to the latest advances in various areas including machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, advanced programming methodologies, database systems, cybersecurity, cryptography, wireless communications and networking, IoT and smart systems, bioinformatics, multimedia systems, mobile application development, and healthcare informatics. The program can be completed on campus or hybrid.

Program Information

• Admission Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Graduate Courses
• Program Worksheet - for students who started in Spring 2025 or earlier
• Program Worksheet - for students who started in Summer 2025 or later

Apply Online 

Admission Requirements

• Students are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Applicants with a different background are encouraged to apply. Students are expected to have taken calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of data structures, algorithm design and analysis, operating systems, and computer architecture. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis.
• Submit official transcripts from previous institutions attended. The desirable minimum bachelor GPA is 3.0 (of a 4.0 maximum) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation.
• The GRE is not required for this program.
• International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL or a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS.

Apply Online

MSCS with or without Thesis - Admission to Candidacy/Online Plan of Study

Students must apply for candidacy as soon as they are eligible. Students should prepare, in a consultation with a graduate advisor, an Online Plan of Study that will include the list of courses for completing their degree requirements. The student's advisor must approve all courses. A student is eligible to apply for candidacy when:

1. A minimum of 9 credits as a graduate student have been completed.
2. A minimum of 3.0 GPA in all courses attempted as a graduate student has been maintained.

Normally no more than 15 credits of work completed before admission to candidacy will be accepted toward a degree program. Students working toward degrees with thesis options may not register for thesis until their admission to candidacy.

Graduate Courses

Both thesis and non-thesis options require a minimum of 30 credits. Students must take 1 course from Theory and Algorithms (graduate course prefix COT), 1 course from Software and Programming (graduate course prefix COP or CEN), and 1 course from Systems and Applications (graduate course prefix CAP, CIS, CNT, or CDA). Please note that courses COT 5930, COT 6930, COT 6900, COT 6905, CEN 5931, CEN 6930 may be counted only with prior approval of the advisor.

In addition, students pursuing non-thesis option will take 7 elective courses and students pursuing thesis option will take 6 thesis credits and 5 elective courses. All students must complete one semester of CGS 5937 Graduate Seminar (0 credits).

The EECS Department offers a rich and diverse selection of elective courses in traditional areas of computer science and in the areas of research of the faculty including software engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, advanced programming methodologies, database systems, computer networks, wireless networking, cybersecurity, cryptography, IoT and smart systems, bioinformatics, multimedia systems, mobile application development, and healthcare informatics. Visit the department course schedule for a comprehensive list of elective courses.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science with Major in Computer Science program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. Both options require a minimum of 30 credits.

Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following requirements must be met:

1. Must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
2. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
3. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
4. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937 Graduate Seminar.
5. Students can take a maximum of 3 credits of independent study.

Transfer Credits

Any transfer credits toward the requirements for a master's degree in Computer Science must be approved by the Department, the College and the University. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. Normally no more than 6 credits of coursework (that have not been applied to a degree) can be transferred from another institution.

Doctor of Philosophy with Major in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science program (PhD CS) prepares students for academic careers in higher education, for careers as research scientists at high-tech companies and research labs, and senior positions in computer science related fields. Topics of study include software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cryptography, machine learning and data analytics, spatial database and data mining, computer networking, cloud computing, Internet of Things and more. 

Program Information

• Admission Requirements
• Candidacy Examination 
  • Candidacy Examination Instructions
  • Candidacy Examination Application Form
• Admission to Candidacy and Transfer Credits
• Dissertation Information

Students can select between the following options:

1. PhD CS, General program (i.e. no concentration)
   •  Degree Requirements
   • BS-PhD Program Worksheet  (pdf)
   • MS-PhD Program Worksheet  (pdf)
2. PhD CS, Data Science and Analytics (DSA) concentration
   • Degree Requirements DSA
   • BS-PhD Program Worksheet DSA   (pdf)
   • MS-PhD Program WorksheetDSA  (pdf)
3. PhD CS, Cybersecurity concentration 
   • Degree Requirements Cybersecurity
   • BS-PhD Program Worksheet Cybersecurity (pdf)
   • MS-PhD Program Worksheet Cybersecurity  (pdf)

Apply Online

Doctor of Philosophy with Major in Computer Science (PhD)

Admission to Candidacy / Online Plan of Study

Students should apply for candidacy as soon as they become eligible. A doctoral student is eligible to apply for candidacy when:

1. He/she has passed the qualifying examination.
2. A minimum of 3.0 GPA in all courses attempted as a doctoral student has been maintained.

Students may not register for dissertation credits until their admission to candidacy.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission to doctoral study will be evaluated on an individual basis by the department's graduate programs committee. Usually, the following criteria must be met:

1. The applicant must submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and must have a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0 maximum) in previous graduate work. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has an M.S. degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
2. The applicant must have a Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline awarded by a recognized institution. Thesis option is preferred.
3. The applicant must produce three reference letters (at least two from academia) that address his/her research potential, motivation, relative academic achievement, and personality. Forms are supplied with applications for admission.
4. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Applicants are expected to have taken the following prerequisite courses (or equivalents) before pursuing the Ph.D. degree. In some cases, prerequisite requirements may be satisfied after admission to the Ph.D. program. In such a case, proficiency in the prerequisite courses must be shown before the student takes dissertation credits.

Transfer Credits

Any transfer credits (from other institutions) toward the requirements for the PhD degree must be approved by the department, the college, and the university. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. A maximum of 30 credit-hours can be transferred from a Master's degree. In addition to the credits for a Master's degree, no more than 6 credit-hours of course work can be transferred from another institution.

Prerequisite courses for Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science:

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 84 graduate credits (including a minimum of 33 dissertation credits) is required beyond a bachelor's degree. No 4000-level courses may be counted in the Ph.D. degree. A master's degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits. A minimum of 21 credits of coursework is required beyond a master's degree. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. Students lacking proper background may have to take additional courses to make up for the deficiencies. In addition to meeting the course requirement, a doctoral student must pass the Qualifying Examination, complete the dissertation under the supervision of the student's advisor and dissertation committee and pass the oral dissertation examination. Also a written dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee at least six months prior to the oral dissertation examination. A doctoral candidate is expected to have at least one research paper published or accepted for publication in a fully refereed conference or journal prior to graduation. The following rules apply to the courses taken (beyond the master's degree):

1. Of the 21-credit minimum of coursework, a minimum of 15 credits must be in Computer Science and Engineering courses and a minimum of 15 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed.
2. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be used to satisfy the minimum of 21 credits. In that case, the subject matter may not overlap the student's dissertation.
3. A course that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded cannot be counted toward the degree. This rule does not apply to the courses transferred from the master's degree.
4. No 4000-level course may be counted toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
5. Students must register for a minimum of 33 credits of dissertation.
6. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 maximum) or better.
7. All courses in the degree programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
8. Every PhD student must take CGS 5937/Graduate Seminar (2 semesters)/ A seminar series with distinguished speakers. Students must attend at least ten seminar presentations. (Grading: S/U, 0 credits.)

Dissertation Committee

Students are encouraged to interact with faculty members of the department to select a dissertation advisor and research area/topic for their dissertation. After a student has passed the Candidacy Examination, a dissertation committee shall be formed to supervise the student's research work. The committee will consist of at least four faculty members who are familiar with the research area, at least three of whom are regular faculty members of the department. At least one member of the committee is recommended be from outside the department (could also be from another institution or industry), and this member should have an academic or professional level compatible with the rest of the committee. The committee is chaired by the student's dissertation advisor. The chair of the committee must be a faculty member from the EECS department. Students are expected to work in close cooperation with their dissertation committee and to keep the committee members informed about their progress on a regular basis. The dissertation committee should meet with the student at least once a semester to review the progress of the research work.

Time Limitation

A PhD student who enters the program with a Master's degree has no more than ten years to complete all requirements for the PhD degree.

Dissertation and Oral Defense

The dissertation must be written in the format specified by the Graduate College. A copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate College for approval of the dissertation format. Dissertations must be defended orally. A dissertation should be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee for their review at least two weeks before the oral defense. After an oral defense, the members of the dissertation committee vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation. The committee may also suggest that the student do some additional work so as to make the dissertation acceptable. The decision of the dissertation committee will be reported in the form of satisfactory/ unsatisfactory grade for dissertation credits.

PhD Computer Science

Admission Requirements

MS to PhD

• Students are expected to have a Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related discipline awarded by a recognized institution. Applicants with a different background are encouraged to apply. Students are expected to have taken calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of data structures, algorithm design and analysis, operating systems, and computer architecture.The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis.
• Submit official transcripts from previous institutions attended. The desirable minimum GPA in previous graduate work is 3.3 (of a 4.0 maximum).
• Submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE requirement is waived for students with a Master’s degree from EECS.
• The applicant must produce two reference letters that address the student's research potential, motivation, relative academic achievement and personality.
• International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL or a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS.
• Statement of Research Interests

BS to PhD Direct Path Program

• Students are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Students are expected to have taken calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of data structures, algorithm design and analysis, operating systems, and computer architecture. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis.
• Submit official transcripts from previous institutions attended. The desirable minimum bachelor GPA is 3.3 (of a 4.0 maximum) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation.
• Submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The desirable combined score (verbal and quantitative) of the GRE is 310 or better.
• The applicant must produce two reference letters. Where possible these letters should address the student's qualifications for research.
• International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL or a score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS.
• Statement of Research Interests

As part of the application to EECS PhD programs, applicants are required to submit a research statement. This crucial document should clearly communicate the applicant’s research background, interests, and potential fit with current research foci of faculty in the department. Applicants are strongly encouraged to go over the department's faculty research and publications before writing their research statement. The research statement must address three main areas:

1. The Applicant’s Research Experience and Preparation
   Describe the academic and professional experiences that have prepared the applicant for doctoral studies:
   • Relevant coursework, research training, and applicable professional experience
   • Research projects and technical skills
   • Publications, presentations, or significant findings
2. The Applicant’s Proposed Research Direction
   Outline the research areas to be pursued during PhD studies:
   
   • Clearly state research interests
   • Explain the importance of this research
   • Describe how previous experiences have prepared the applicant for this research
3. Faculty Alignment
   Identify potential faculty advisors in the EECS department:
   
   • Name two or three faculty members whose research aligns with the applicant’s proposed research direction
   • For each faculty member, (i) explain how their work connects to the applicant’s research interests and (ii) discuss how their expertise would benefit the proposed research program

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Degree Requirements

MS to PhD

A minimum of 72 graduate credits is required beyond a bachelor's degree. A master's degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits. A minimum of 18 credits of coursework is required beyond a master's degree. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. In addition to meeting the course requirement, a doctoral student must pass the Candidacy Examination, complete the dissertation under the supervision of the student's advisor and dissertation committee and pass the oral dissertation examination. In addition, a written dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee at least six months prior to the oral dissertation examination. A doctoral candidate is expected to have at least one research paper published or accepted for publication in a fully refereed conference or journal prior to graduation. The following rules apply to the courses taken beyond the master's degree:

1. Of the 18-credit minimum of coursework, a minimum of 12 credits must be in Computer Science and Engineering courses (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 9 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed.
2. A maximum of 3 credits of directed independent study or advanced research may be used to satisfy the minimum of 18 credits. In that case, the subject matter may not overlap the student's dissertation.
3. Students must register for a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation.
4. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 maximum) or better.
5. All courses in the degree programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
6. Students must complete two semesters of CGS 5937 Graduate Seminar.

BS to PhD

A minimum of 72 graduate credits is required beyond a bachelor's degree. A minimum of 42 credits of graduate coursework is required. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. In addition to meeting the course requirement, a doctoral student must pass the Candidacy Examination, complete the dissertation under the supervision of the student's advisor and dissertation committee and pass the oral dissertation examination. The Qualifying Examination will normally be taken after the student has completed 24 credits of graduate coursework. In addition, a written dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee at least six months prior to the oral dissertation examination. A doctoral candidate is expected to have at least one research paper published or accepted for publication in a fully refereed conference or journal prior to graduation. The following rules apply to the courses:

1. Of the 42-credit minimum of coursework, a minimum of 27 credits must be in Computer Science and Engineering courses (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 18 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed.
2. A maximum of 6 credits of directed independent study and/or advanced research graduate courses may be used to satisfy the minimum of 42 credits. In that case, the subject matter may not overlap the student's dissertation.
3. Students must register for a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation.
4. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 maximum) or better.
5. All courses in the degree programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
6. Students must complete two semesters of CGS 5937 Graduate Seminar.

PhD Computer Science, Cybersecurity Concentration - Degree Requirements

Students must meet all the degree requirements for the PhD CS General program, click here. In addition, the following requirements must be satisfied:

1. Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least three graduate courses from the Cybersecurity course list below. These courses focus on theoretical and/or applied cybersecurity. Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement.
2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of cybersecurity, including but not limited to applied and/or theoretical areas.

Cybersecurity Course List

1. CDA 5326 Cryptographic Engineering
2. CIS 5371 Practical Aspects of Modern Cryptography
3. CIS 6370 Computer Data Security
4. CIS 6375 Distributed Systems Security
5. COT 6427 Secret Sharing Protocols
6. CAI 6803 Data Analysis and Modeling for Cybersecurity
7. CIS 6730 Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technologies
8. MAD 5474 Introduction to Cryptology and Information Security

PhD Computer Science, Data Science and Analytics Concentration - Degree Requirements

Students must meet all the degree requirements for the PhD CS General program. In addition, the following requirements must be satisfied:

1. Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least four graduate courses from the Data Science and Analytics course list below.    Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement.
2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of data science and analytics, including but not limited to applied and/or theoretical areas.

Computer Science Minor

Computing and programming skills are in high demand in many disciplines. The minor in Computer Science enhances the educational background of all undergraduate students regardless of their major and increases their marketability in a competitive job market. The Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science offers the Minor in Computer Science. This program builds the foundation of Computer Science in terms of programming, data structures and algorithm analysis which prepares students for advanced classes in various areas such as software engineering, Internet computing, database systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer networks and many more. The minor in Computer Science is available to all FAU undergraduates who are not majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

• Admission Requirements
• Program Description
• Advising Worksheet (pdf)
• Program Application (pdf)

Admission Requirements

• Submission of official transcripts is required from all applicants.
• Students must satisfy the prerequisites required for each course in the certificate program with a minimum grade of “C”.
• All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
• Acknowledgment of a minor in Computer Science is official upon successful completion of an FAU degree program.

Program Description 

The minor in Computer Science is available to all FAU undergraduates who are not majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. This minor requires completion of five courses (15 credits) with a minimum grade of "C." Students must ensure that they have completed the prerequisites for the selected courses.

Students may choose to follow either the C/C++ Track or the Python Track.

The Python Track is especially suitable for students from other departments than the EECS Department.

Undergraduate Computer Science Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Advising Flowchart

The department accepts freshmen and transfer students. Students should refer to the general statements on admission to the College of Engineering and Computer Science and to the University requirements for freshmen and for transfer students.

Students transferring from a Florida state college should have completed 60 lower division credits including the following courses:

* BCC students take COP 1334C, Introduction to Programming in C++
** The number of credits varies among lower division institutions.
*** Science courses to bring the total credits in calculus, physics, and other sciences to at least 21 credits. These additional science courses must come from biology, chemistry, or geology, and must be equivalent to courses taken by science majors at FAU.

PhD in Computer Science Qualifying Exam

The Computer Science (CS) Qualifying Exam is a written exam intended to assess whether a student is ready to conduct research at the doctoral level and is able to publish in international conferences and journals. This exam must be passed for formal admission into the doctoral program. Students seeking the PhD degree are expected to take the exam during the second semester of their doctoral studies, excluding the Summer semester.

The exam addresses the student's knowledge of graduate and undergraduate course material and basic mathematical concepts and engineering methods required for research and professional practice at the doctoral level. The exam consists of six problems (one from each course) related to material covered in recent FAU graduate and undergraduate CS courses, which are prepared by faculty with input from the student and selected by the Graduate Committee. The exam, administered in the Fall and Spring semesters, is given in two 3-hour sessions, each session covering three courses, morning and afternoon, in one day. The student can bring three 2-sided pages of notes and a simple calculator to each session, but no books, computers, or phones. An overall minimum score of 70% or better is required to pass. A student failing the written exam may, upon re-application, take it a second time. Two failures will normally result in the student's dismissal from the PhD program.

Application for the Computer Science Qualifying Exam

Students need to fill out and submit an  application  for the qualifying exam. In filling out the form, the student should list six courses, at most four of which may be at the graduate level and at least two of which must be at the undergraduate level and selected from one of the lists below. Each of the graduate courses selected must satisfy the following requirements: (1) the course is not a DIS course (i.e. BME 6905, COT 6900, COT 6905, EEL 6905), (2) at most 2 graduate courses taught by the same instructor, and (3) the course was offered by the EECS department in the preceding three years. Students can select at most one graduate course outside the EECS department with the approval of the advisor. All other courses must have been offered by the EECS department during the preceding three years but the student may have taken them anywhere or prepared for them on their own. The student will also list a primary area of research and at least one secondary area.

The application must be approved by the student's adviser and then submitted to the Graduate Committee. Upon approving the application, the Graduate Committee will arrange for preparation of the exam.

Computer Science Courses

1. CDA 4102 Computer Architecture
2. COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis or COP 3410 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python
3. COP 3540 Introduction to Database Structures
4. COP 4610 Computer Operating Systems
5. COT 4400 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
6. COT 4420 Theory of Computation

Textbook information and QE topics for each undergraduate course are available at   /engineering/eecs/pdf/qe-course-topics.pdf.