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    <title>Computer Science Major @ MSMU</title>  

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        <h1 class="pageTitle">Computer Science Major</h1>
        <h2>Mathematics and Computer Science Department</h2>
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        <p>Mount St. Mary's University</p>
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        <p class="caption"><strong>Offering courses and programs in Computer Science</strong></p>
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        <p class="caption">
            <strong>Learn more about the 
            <a href="https://msmary.edu/academics/schools-divisions/school-of-science-mathematics-and-technology/index.html" target="_blank">
            School of Science, Technology & Computer Science</a></strong>
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            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">What is the Purpose of the Computer Science Major?</h3>
            <p class="blogContent">
                <i>
                    The purpose of a computer science major extends beyond learning to program and code. 
                    Computer scientists design, develop, and analyze software and hardware to solve problems 
                    in business, industry, science, and society.
                    <br><br>
                    Computer science has a significant human component since computers serve and enrich people's lives. 
                    This major strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping students with valuable 
                    abilities such as analytical and logical thinking, technical and mathematical proficiency, 
                    attention to detail, project management, technical writing, research, and even art and design.
                </i>
            </p>
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            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">Computer Science, B.S. Major Requirements</h3> 
            <p class="pastblogTitle"><strong>A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science</strong></p>
            <ul>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 120 - <u>Introduction to Computer Science 1</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 125 - <u>Introduction to Computer Science 2</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 254 - <u>Data Structures and Algorithms</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 277 - <u>Computer Architecture</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 474 - <u>Computer Science Capstone 1</u> - Credits: (1)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI 475 - <u>Computer Science Capstone 2</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>CMSCI XXX - <u>Computer Science Elective 300-level or above</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>MATH XXX or DATA XXX - <u>Math or Data Science Elective at the 200 level or above</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>MATH 228 - <u>Discrete Mathematics</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
            </ul>
            <p class="pastblogTitle"><strong>Two of the Following</strong></p>
            <div class="pastblogOverview">
                <ul>
                    <li><strong>CMSCI 442 - <u>Principles of Programming Languages</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                    <li><strong>CMSCI 453 - <u>Algorithms</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                    <li><strong>CMSCI 485 - <u>Theory of Computation</u> - Credits: (3)</strong></li>
                </ul>
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            <a href="https://catalog.msmary.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=18&poid=1583&returnto=775">Mount CS Course Catalog</a>
        </div>

        <hr>

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            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">Who Participates in the CS Major?</h3>
            <p class="blogContent">
                <i>
                    Dedicated and determined computer science majors participate in this field, viewing technology 
                    as a lifelong pursuit rather than just a career choice.
                    <br><br>
                    These students aspire to become software developers, engineers, programmers, and web developers, 
                    tackling challenges with problem-solving and communication skills. 
                    They continuously expand their knowledge, gain hands-on experience with emerging technology, and work toward innovation.
                </i>
            </p>
        </div>

        <hr>

        <div>
            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">How does a Student Join the CS Major?</h3>
            <p class="blogContent">
                <i>
                    Students join the computer science major by officially declaring it through the university's 
                    central declaration process. Once enrolled, students must complete the required coursework 
                    and receive guidance from a department advisor.
                    <br><br>
                    However, fully engaging in the major requires dedication, as coursework increasingly demands 
                    problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
                </i>
            </p>
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        <hr>

        <div>
            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">What Happens at an Event Related to the CS Major?</h3>
            <p class="blogContent">
                <i>
                    To complete their degree, computer science students take various courses, culminating in Capstone 1 and Capstone 2. 
                    During these courses, students work on significant projects, collaborating with clients or selecting topics from on-campus or external sources.
                    <br><br>
                    They define problems, research solutions, choose an approach, and identify key technologies. 
                    Capstone 2 focuses on detailed design, and students also discuss computer ethics.
                    At the end of their studies, students present their projects at the university's SPARK event, where faculty, peers, and industry professionals 
                    evaluate and research significant projects in a sizable on-campus showcase.
                </i>
            </p>
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        <hr>

        <div>
            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">Notable Facts About the CS Major</h3>
            <ul>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>J.V. Atanasoff built the first electronic computer around 1940 and later retired to Frederick, where Mount professors occasionally helped him troubleshoot his PC.</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>Mount St. Mary's University offered its first computer science classes in 1969.</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>In the early 1970s, the second programming course had the course code MATH 211.</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>The first student to graduate with a computer science degree from Mount St. Mary's did so in 1998.</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>The university acquired its first computer in 1975.</strong></li>
                <li class="pastblogOverview"><strong>The first computer at Mount St. Mary's was powered by a custom operating system that Professor O'Toole and his students had built.</strong></li>
            </ul>
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        <hr>

        <div>
            <h3 class="pastblogTitle">What Else Should Students Know About the CS Major?</h3>
            <p class="blogContent">
                <i>
                    Pursuing a computer science degree is more than a career choice—it is a lifelong commitment to continuous learning and skill development. 
                    The field constantly evolves, requiring professionals to keep pace with technological advancements.
                    <br><br>
                    Succeeding in computer science demands persistence, especially when facing complex concepts. 
                    There will be times when classroom material is challenging to grasp, but students must fill those knowledge gaps. 
                    Growth in this field comes from trial and error, not perfection.
                </i>
            </p>
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        <div>
            <p class="caption">Source Citation: <a href="https://msmary.edu/academics/majors-minors/computer-science.html" target="_blank">About the Mount CS Major</a></p>
            <p class="caption">Source Citation: <a href="https://catalog.msmary.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=18&poid=1583&returnto=775" target="_blank">About the Mount CS Course Catalog</a></p> 
            <p class="caption">Source Citation: <a href="https://www.mtu.edu/cs/undergraduate/computer-science/" target="_blank">Visit Michigan Tech</a></p> 
            <p class="caption">Source Citation: <a href="https://thebestschools.org/degrees/computer-science-degree/" target="_blank">Visit TheBestSchools</a></p> 
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