
B.S. in Computer Science
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
As a JMU computer science major, you’ll understand and analyze problems across a wide range of applications.
You'll develop solutions that can be computationally implemented, strive for the best solutions, and use resources effectively. You'll be part of a collaborative and inclusive community in which you are set up for success in your studies, your career, and your life.
As a JMU computer scientist you'll:
- Design and build software.
- Develop effective ways to solve computing problems, such as storing information in databases sending data over networks, or providing new approaches to security problems.
- Conduct research in collaboration with faculty members.
- Enjoy small classes. Our courses are capped at 30 and are taught by full-time faculty.
- Devise new and better ways of using computers and address particular challenges in areas such as mobile computing, robotics, artificial intelligence, web-based systems, or digital forensics.
The major puts students in the middle of the exploding information revolution where they study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security, and artificial intelligence. Students will learn about computing technologies used by today’s professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to analyze problems, design solutions, implement solutions using multiple computing technologies, test and install those solutions, and communicate those solutions to others in written and verbal presentations.
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Admissions
Curriculum
Years 1 and 2
During the first two years, computer science majors should complete the following CS courses: 149, 159, 227, 240, and 261.
By the end of their sophomore year, students should complete two courses from CS 327, 345, 361, or a CS Elective. In addition, students should satisfy their mathematics requirements by taking courses in calculus and statistics.
Years 3 and 4
During their junior and senior years, students in the computer science major complete their core and general education requirements and choose their electives. Students may pursue a minor or take unrestricted “general elective” courses in any discipline (which may include additional CS elective courses) to satisfy the 120 credits required to graduate.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours1
- Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) 3 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) 49-52 Credit Hours
- University electives 24-27 Credit Hours
Footnote
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
Major Requirements
- CS 149. Introduction to Programming Credits: 3.00
- CS 159. Advanced Programming Credits: 3.00
- CS 240. Algorithms and Data Structures Credits: 3.00
- CS 261. Computer Systems I Credits: 3.00
- CS 327. Discrete Structures II Credits: 3.00
- CS 345. Software Engineering Credits: 3.00
- CS 361. Computer Systems II Credits: 3.00
- CS 430. Programming Languages Credits: 3.00
- Computer Science electives above CS 300, with at least two above CS 332. Credits / Units: 9.00
Choose one introductory discrete math course: 3 Credit Hours
- CS 227. Discrete Structures I Credits: 3.00
or - MATH 227. Discrete Structures I Credits: 3.00
or - MATH 245. Discrete Mathematics Credits: 3.00
Choose one calculus sequence: 4-6 Credit Hours
- MATH 235. Calculus I [C3QR] Credits: 4.00
or - MATH 231. Calculus with Functions I [C3QR] Credits: 3.00 and
- MATH 232. Calculus with Functions II Credits: 3.00
Choose one statistics course: 3-4 Credit Hours
- MATH 220. Elementary Statistics [C3QR] Credits: 3.00
- MATH 229. Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R [C3QR] Credits: 3.00
- MATH 318. Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: 4.00
Choose one algorithms course: 3 Credit Hours
- CS 412. Applied Algorithms Credits: 3.00
- CS 452. Design and Analysis of Algorithms Credits: 3.00
Choose one system elective: 3 Credit Hours
- CS 432. Compilers Credits: 3.00
- CS 450. Operating Systems Credits: 3.00
- CS 455. Advanced Computer Networking Credits: 3.00
- CS 456. Computer Architecture Credits: 3.00
- CS 470. Parallel and Distributed Systems Credits: 3.00
Additional Information
The credit/no-credit option may not be applied to any courses specifically listed above, nor may that option be applied to computer science electives
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Computer Science
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- IT Engineer at ReliaQuest
- Naval Ship, Submarine, and Unmanned Design and Design Software - Naval Architects/Engineers/Scientists at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division
- Research Data Web Developer at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
- Software Engineer, University Graduate (Creative Tools)- 2023 Start (BS/MS) at TikTok Inc.
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Entry Level Software Developer/Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Data Engineer - Entry level at Invictech Inc
- Software Engineer at Spectric Labs, Inc.
- Entry Level Roles in Data Science - December 2022 and May 2023 Graduates at NXP Semiconductors
- Systems Engineer at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Software Developer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- Software Engineer - Minnesota at Architecture Technology Corporation
- September 2023 Associate Software Engineer Program, Enterprise Technology - New York at Fitch Group
- September 2023 Associate Software Engineer Program, Enterprise Technology - Chicago at Fitch Group
- Autonomy Engineer at Performance Drone Works, LLC.
- Technology Consultant (2023) at Infinitive
- Data Science / Math / Statistics / Operations Research New Grad Positions at MITRE Corporation
Programming
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer III at Walmart Corporate
- 2023 Summer Intern: Sam's Club Software Engineer II at Walmart Corporate
- IT Engineer at ReliaQuest
- Associate - Early Career Digital Leadership Program (Campus 2023 Hires/New Grads) at United Airlines
- Software Engineer at ENSCO, Inc.
- Software Engineer (University Grad) at Qualcomm
- Cyber Security Engineer - Entry Level - Fairfax, VA at CGI
- Full Stack Developer at M&S Consulting
- Corporate Audit Services (IT Audit) Management Trainee 2023 at BNSF Railway
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Entry Level Software Developer/Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Software Engineer at Enterprise Solutions, Inc
- Software Analyst at Ignite Fueling Innovation
- Data Scientist: ND Hiring at Specialisterne USA
- IT Business Analyst: ND Hiring at Specialisterne USA
- Software Engineer: ND Hiring at Specialisterne USA
- Tech Project Officer: ND Hiring at Specialisterne USA
- Entry Level Python Fullstack Developer at i28 Technologies Corporation
Computer Engineer
- Systems Engineer (Entry-Level)- Chantilly, VA at Peraton
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Naval Ship, Submarine, and Unmanned Design and Design Software - Naval Architects/Engineers/Scientists at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division
- MBE Engineer at IPG Photonics
- Civil Engineer I - Fredericksburg, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineer I - Herndon, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineer I - Herndon, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineer I - Leesburg, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineer I - Montgomery County and Prince George's County, MD at Bowman
- Software Engineer at ENSCO, Inc.
- Senior Electrical Engineer - Sign-On/Relocation Bonus Available at ENSCO, Inc.
- Senior Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) at ENSCO, Inc.
- Geotechnical Engineer at RK&K
- Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyst at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
- Data Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- Entry Level Software Developer/Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services
- CAD Designer at Modine Manufacturing Company
- Engineering Leadership Development Programs at Xylem, Inc.
Internships for JMU Students
Computer Science
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- DoD College Acquisition Internship Program at Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO CBRND)
- Luminis Health Website Intern at Luminis Health
- Software Engineering Coop (Spring 2023) at Carrier
- Motorparts: Software Engineering Intern - Summer 2023 (Southfield, MI or Remote) at Tenneco
- AT&T Supply Chain Undergraduate Internships - Strategy & Consulting at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Graduate Internships - Strategy & Consulting at AT&T
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Data Analytics Intern at Aware Recovery Care
- Waveserver Software Intern (Winter 2023) at Ciena
- Dell Technologies Services Graduate Data Science Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Data Science Summer Intern at Dell Technologies
- IT Operations Intern at Modine Manufacturing Company
- IT Operations Intern at Modine Manufacturing Company
- Cybersecurity Engineering Intern at Brightspot
- Intern - Information Security Analyst, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Intern - Software Engineer, Summer 2023 at Enterprise Holdings
- Health Scientist Summer Intern at Cardno
- Data Science Summer Internship at EMC Insurance Companies
Programming
- Software Development Intern ( Paid ) at ChenMed
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- Business Technology Associate Consultant Intern at ZS Associates
- Software Engineering Intern at BlackRock
- Full-Stack Engineer Intern at Arbor
- UX Designer / UX Researcher Intern - Summer 2023 Internship (Meraki) at Cisco
- Motorparts: Software Engineering Intern - Summer 2023 (Southfield, MI or Remote) at Tenneco
- Software Engineer Intern (Summer 2023, Remote/Hybrid) at Vectorworks, Inc.
- Software Engineer: Spring/Summer 2023 Co-Op or Internship (Full-Time) - San Diego, CA at Quartus Engineering
- Automotive Audio Systems Intern at Tesla
- Dell Technologies Services - Undergraduate Cybersecurity Intern at Dell Technologies
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Technical Intern - Data Scientist at Ball Aerospace
- Dell technologies Services - Infrastructure as Code Automations Undergraduate Intern at Dell Technologies
- 2023 Summer Intern - Information Security at State Farm Insurance Companies
- User Experience Intern at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Internal Audit Intern, IT at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Consumer and Digital Transformation Intern, Digital Products at Santander Bank, N.A.
- Intern-IT Quality Assurance at EMC Insurance Companies
Computer Engineer
- Technology, Digital Products & Cybersecurity Interns - Summer 2023 at PPL Corporation
- Software Engineering Summer Intern at Grammarly
- Software Engineering Coop (Spring 2023) at Carrier
- Intern - RF Optimization Engineer at DISH
- Motorparts: Software Engineering Intern - Summer 2023 (Southfield, MI or Remote) at Tenneco
- AT&T Supply Chain Undergrad Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- AT&T Supply Chain Graduate Internships -Technology Enablement & Automation at AT&T
- Civil Engineering Intern (Summer 2023) - Manassas, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineering Intern (Summer 2023) - Leesburg, VA at Bowman
- Civil Engineering Intern - Montgomery County and Prince Georges County, MD at Bowman
- Electrical Engineering Intern at iA
- Software Engineer: Spring/Summer 2023 Co-Op or Internship (Full-Time) - San Diego, CA at Quartus Engineering
- Mechanical Design or Analysis Engineer: Spring/Summer 2023 Co-Op or Internship (Full Time) - San Diego, CA at Quartus Engineering
- Electrical Engineer: Spring/Summer 2023 Co-Op or Internship (Full Time) - San Diego, CA at Quartus Engineering
- Dell Technologies Services - Systems Development Engineer Intern at Dell Technologies
- Systems Engineering Intern at Second Order Effects Inc
- Waveserver Software Intern (Winter 2023) at Ciena
- Digital ASIC/FPGA Design and Verification Development Engineer Intern (Winter 2023) at Ciena
- Software Engineer - Summer Intern at Brightspot
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
English Language Requirements
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