Transfer Hub Guide: Computer Science

A typical semester schedule looks like:
  1. Major required course
  2. Major required course or Course of interest
  3. Language course or Course of interest
  4. Hub course 
  5. Optional add-on: HUB FY 101 First-Year Seminar

    However, this schedule may vary depending on your major/minor, your transfer credit, and your intended timeline. We’ve included some helpful info below to get you started thinking about which courses to select for your first semester.

    Some helpful notes as you begin to select your courses:

    • Major required course(s): Please review the Computer Science major requirements for a comprehensive breakdown of your required courses. You will likely aim to take 1-2 major required courses this semester.
    • Language course: CAS requires all students to demonstrate or develop proficiency at or above the fourth-semester level in one language other than English. There are multiple ways to fulfill this requirement, including external credit. If you’re planning to complete the language requirement through coursework at BU, one of your courses this semester should likely be a language course.
      • If you’re new to the language, start with the first-semester level (usually coded as 111 – for example, Spanish 1 is CAS LS 111, Arabic 1 is CAS LY 111, etc.). 
      • If you have previously studied the language, take a placement test to determine what level to start with (for instance, CAS LS 112 Spanish 2, CAS LY 211 Arabic 3, CAS LK 212 Korean 4, etc.). Please review the CAS Language Requirement page for detailed information about placement tests and appropriate levels.
    • Hub course:
      • Students taking BU courses for the Computer Science major will generally satisfy some or all the BU Hub requirements below. You therefore may not need to seek out electives to fulfill these requirements:
        • Quantitative Reasoning II
        • Critical Thinking
        • Research & Information Literacy
        • Teamwork/Collaboration
        • Creativity/Innovation
      • When choosing a Hub course, you should instead consider selecting a course or two that fulfills Hub requirements you won’t fulfill with your major, including:
        • Philosophical, Aesthetic, & Historical Interpretation
        • Scientific Inquiry I or II
        • Social Inquiry I or II
        • Diversity, Civic Engagement, & Global Citizenship
        • Communication
      • If you’re not sure how to find a Hub elective, you can review our registration instructions for tips on browsing by Hub requirement. 
      • No Hub requirements will be awarded to courses taken outside of Boston University, with the exception of some Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams/scores.
    • As you search, you can also review the course descriptions to see if a course has a prerequisite*. Please note that you are responsible for completing all prerequisites listed in the course description prior to registering for that course.
    • After reviewing this, we also strongly encourage you to work with your advisor, so they can help customize your schedule to your specific requirements, needs, and goals.

    *a prerequisite is a requirement that you must meet or complete before taking a more advanced course to ensure you have sufficient background in the material