Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science: Computer Science (Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway))
Tidewater Community College
Tidewater Community College
Program description

The Department of Computer Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a rigorous, highly concentrated curriculum of computer science courses. It includes advanced study in several important areas of computer science and provides a strong foundation in this discipline. Every course is taught by full-time faculty members who also serve as advisers to both undergraduate and graduate students.


The master’s degree emphasizes continuing self-development of individuals currently engaged in science-, technology- and engineering-related fields. It prepares persons who have completed undergraduate majors in these fields for entry into careers in areas that use computing technology. Both the theoretical and applied aspects of computer science are emphasized in this program. The program offers courses in a wide range of areas in computer science, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing, data mining, bioinformatics, and medical informatics.

Career opportunities

Computer science (CS) spans the range from theory through programming to cutting-edge development of computing solutions. Computer science offers a foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas. The work of computer scientists falls into three categories: a) designing and building software; b) developing effective ways to solve computing problems, such as storing information in databases, sending data over networks or providing new approaches to security problems; and c) devising new and better ways of using computers and addressing particular challenges in areas such as robotics, computer vision, or digital forensics.   

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Computer programmer
  • Cybersecurity engineer
  • Data engineer or architect
  • Project manager
  • Sales engineer
  • Scrum master
  • Software engineer or developer
  • Software quality assurance and test engineer
  • Web or mobile app developer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • College Professor
  • Computer Architecture Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Lead Software Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer/Scientist
  • Project Leader
  • Research & Development Engineer
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Review requirements of Engineering Admission Agreement
Completion of associate degree (A.S. in Engineering or A.S. in Science) 
Minimum GPA of 3.0 
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
Earn a minimum grade of "B" in all your math, science and engineering classes

Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0+ cumulative GPA

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Computer Science)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Register for SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor at the beginning of each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112 during your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Browse careers related to Computer Science through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Meet with your academic advisor at the beginning of each semester to review your academic progress.
  • Explore the accelerated BS to MS in Computer Science program.
  • Explore the concentrations of the Computer Science degree: cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Computer Science department-related events.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to your TCC career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Learn about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend New Student Orientation.
  • Register for SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor at the beginning of each semester.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Start your math sequence and pass ENG 111-112 during your first year.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to Computer Science through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on the VCU website.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Meet with your academic advisor at the beginning of each semester to review your academic progress.
  • Explore the accelerated BS to MS in Computer Science program.
  • Explore the concentrations of the Computer Science degree: cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Computer Science department-related events.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to your TCC career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Learn about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Computer Science)

Tidewater Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 101 Orientation to Computer Science UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
CSC 110 Introduction to Computing CMSC 210 3 General education
MTH 161 PreCalculus I MATH 141 3 General education
Humanities elective Select 1: PHI 101, 111, 220; ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 151; REL 230 VCU equivalent 3 General education
CSC 201 Computer Science I CMSC 255 4 Major
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 162 PreCalculus II MATH 151 3 Major
Social Science elective Select 1: PSY 200, SOC 200, 211, PLS 211, 241 VCU equivalent 3 General education
History elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
CSC 205 Computer Organization CMSC 311 3 Major
CSC 210 Programming with C++ CMSC 256 4 Major
MTH 263 Calculus I MATH 200 4 Major (Ancillary)
Science with Lab Select 1: BIO 101, CHM 111, or PHY 241 BIOL/Z 151 or CHEM/Z 101 or PHYS 207 4 Major (Ancillary)
CSC 215 Advanced Computer Organization CMSC 3XX 3 Elective
MTH 264 Calculus II MATH 201 4 Major (Ancillary)
History elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
Humanities elective Select 1: ENG 200-level literature; PHI 101, 111, 220; ART 101, 102; MUS 121; CST 151; REL 230 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Science with Lab Take second course in the sequence: BIO 102, CHM 112, or PHY 242 BIOL/Z 152 or CHEM/Z 102 or PHYS 208 4 Major (Ancillary)
Tidewater credits transferred to VCU 61
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
CMSC 257 Computer Systems 4 Major
CMSC 302 Introduction to Discrete Structures 3 Major
CMSC 303 Introduction to the Theory of Computation 3 Major
CMSC 312 Introduction to Operating Systems 3 Major
CMSC 355 Software Engineering: Specification and Design 3 Major
CMSC 401 Algorithm Analysis with Advanced Data Structures 3 Major
CMSC 403 Programming Languages 3 Major
CMSC 440 Data Communication and Networking 3 Major
CMSC 451 Senior Project I 3 Major
CMSC 452 Senior Project II 3 Major
CMSC 508 Database Theory 3 Major
CMSC CMSC upper-level electives 9 Major
ECON 205 The Economics of Product Development & Market 3 Major (Ancillary)
STAT 212 Concepts of Statistics 3 Major (Ancillary)
MATH Select two upper-level (300-level) MATH courses 6 Major (Ancillary)
Natural Science Select two BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS courses that counts toward major(s) in those sciences 6 Major (Ancillary)
Credits completed at VCU 61
Bachelor's degree total 122