The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at APUS comprises a rigorous, balanced curriculum including topics in both hardware and software, focusing on cyber operations. Students will have a comprehensive program of study in computer science and also be able to take a deep-dive by selecting a concentration in specific areas of interest such as communications and artificial intelligence. Our online computer science degree is designed to enable working professionals to gain knowledge in rapidly growing fields within computer science, e.g. software and application developers, computer scientists, system software developers, computer programmers, and more. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at APUS can prepare students for challenging professional endeavors or for ongoing graduate work in Computer Science.

This program has specific admission requirements.

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and to 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 or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the computer science discipline.
  • Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Programmatic Admission Requirements

For admission to the BS of Computer Science, applicants must have completed preparation in mathematics equivalent to pre-calculus or higher. A review of high school or college transcripts showing completion of this requirement will be conducted during the admission process.

Please visit our AMU or APU undergraduate admission page for more information on institutional admission requirements.

Need help?

If you have questions regarding a program’s admission requirements, please contact an admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.

Degree at a Glance

General Education Requirements30
Major Required68
Select one of the following concentrations:18
Final Program Requirements6
Total Semester Hours122

Degree Program Requirements

General Education Requirements (30 semester hours)

Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours) 1
STEM270Thinking and Acting Ethically3
Select 1 courses from the following:3
Arabic I
Arabic II
Art Appreciation
Survey of Photography
Film and Literature
Image Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop®
French I
French II
German I
German II
Introduction to Japanese
Literature of American Encounters, Revolution, and Rebellion
From Abolition to #MeToo: Literature of the American Civil Rights Movement
Pivotal Figures in Early British Literature
British Literature from Wordsworth through the Wasteland
Leadership in World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern Period
Literature of the Newly Globalized World: The Individual’s Struggle to Adapt
Music Appreciation
Jazz and Rock
World Music and Cultures
Introduction to Philosophy
Critical Thinking
Introduction to Ethics
Philosophy of Science
Introduction to Brazilian Portuguese
Introduction to the Study of Religion
Introduction to World Religions
Russian I
Spanish I
Spanish II
Civics, Political and Social Sciences (6 semester hours)
STEM280Exploring Society and Cultures via Science Fiction3
Select 1 courses from the following:3
Introduction to Anthropology
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Human Sexuality
Social Media and Society
Intercultural Communication
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Humane Education: A Global Interdisciplinary Perspective
Introduction to Geography
Practical Food Safety and Awareness
International Relations I
Forgotten America--Under Represented Cultures in American Literature
Introduction to Political Science
American Government I
Introduction to Psychology
Death and Dying
Race & Religion
Hope and Resilience
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
American Popular Culture
Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours)
COMM120Information and Digital Literacy3
ENGL110Making Writing Relevant3
Select 1 course from the following:3
Public Speaking
Proficiency in Writing
Argumentation and Rhetoric
Introduction to Literature
Technical Writing
Scientific Writing
Effective Business Communication
Human Relations Communication
Information Literacy and Global Citizenship
Introduction to Information Technology Writing
Human Relations
History (3 semester hours)
STEM185The History and Context of STEM3
Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours)
MATH225Calculus3
Natural Sciences (3 semester hours)
STEM100Introduction to STEM Disciplines3
Total Semester Hours30

Major Required (68 semester hours)

SCIN233Physics I with Lab4
MATH210Discrete Mathematics3
MATH226Calculus II3
MATH220Linear Algebra3
SCIN234Physics II with Lab4
CSCI140Introduction to Programming3
CSCI150Digital Systems I3
CSCI210Introduction to Networking3
CSCI240Algorithms and Data Structures I3
CSCI230Machine Architecture and Organization3
CSCI220Operating Systems I3
MATH302Statistics3
CSCI350Digital Systems II3
CSCI340Program Design and Development3
CSCI345Algorithms and Data Structures II3
CSCI320Operating Systems II3
CSCI360Introduction to Database Systems3
CSCI311Network Security Fundamentals3
CSCI471Software Engineering3
CSCI452Cybersecurity/Cyber Defense3
CSCI445Formal Languages and Automata Theory3
CSCI440Principles of Programming Languages3
Total Semester Hours68

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a Concentrations in Artificial Intelligence or Concentration in Cyber Operations.

Concentration in Artificial Intelligence (18 semester hours)

The Artificial Intelligence concentration for the BS in Computer Science teaches students to design and execute computational systems that interpret and understand. Students can research and apply machine-learning methods and develop problem-solving models applicable to a variety of domains. Furthermore, students can learn how to build systems that collect and respond to various sensors and measurements, and develop networks that communicate and respond to environmental signals. Self-taught intelligent systems play a significant role in this domain. This concentration of Artificial Intelligence utilizes the basics of computer science and applies advanced methods needed for effective knowledge modeling.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Understand principles of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
  • Gain hands-on experience with a variety of machine learning models under different constraints (supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, environment feedback).
  • Become proficient in handling different types of data including structured and unstructured, using traditional and advanced machine learning techniques.
  • Apply basic principles of AI in solutions that require problem solving, inference, perception, knowledge representation, and learning.
  • Demonstrate awareness and a fundamental understanding of various applications of AI and machine learning techniques.

Concentration Requirements (18 semester hours)

CSCI381Machine Learning3
CSCI386Advanced Topics in Machine Learning3
CSCI484Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSCI486Deep and Reinforcement Learning3
CSCI480Introduction to Artificial Life3
STEM471Analytics, Algorithms, AI, and Humanity3
Total Semester Hours18

Concentration in Cyber Operations (18 semester hours)

The Cyber Operations concentration provides students with skills and in-depth expertise to protect and build safe software systems. Students obtain a thorough understanding of the technical needs, risks, and vulnerabilities of computer systems as they learn how to use tools and techniques to investigate, analyze, and respond to cyber-attacks. The concentration examines various aspects of society and focuses on both theoretical and practical dimensions. Students learn about a wide variety of computer security-related subjects, such as networks, mobile technologies, and cloud computing. Students will also have the ability to discuss the social implications of cybersecurity through courses such as STEM470 Cybersecurity, Surveillance, Privacy and Ethics.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Have a firm understanding of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and be able to apply concepts for a secure system development.
  • Understand cyber threat environment, and be able to monitor, detect, analyze, and expel threats from information system.
  • Secure systems to ensure Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of the information and protect data and networks from intrusions and malicious actors.
  • Design networks utilizing Risk Management Framework (RMF) methodology, risk analysis, security policies, and monetary damages assessment.
  • Plan and implement security strategies, policies, disaster recovery plans, continuity of operation plans, and audits in a broad range of local and wide area networks.

Concentration Requirements (18 semester hours)

CSCI370Software Reverse Engineering3
CSCI390Cellular and Mobile Technologies3
CSCI475Development of Secure Software Systems3
ISSC326Cloud Computing3
CSCI431Embedded Systems3
STEM470Cybersecurity, Surveillance, Privacy and Ethics3
Total Semester Hours18

Final Program Requirements (6 semester hours)

CSCI498Senior Project Design3
CSCI499Senior Project Implementation3
Total Semester Hours6