UMass Boston

Degree Planning

The Student Success Center curriculum plans for all CSM majors to help you plan your path to graduation.  Whether you’re starting fresh or as a transfer student, you can see where you should start, the order in which the department wants you to take your major classes, and how to finish at a pace that's right for you. 

Degree Planning Tools

Below you will find 'plans to graduation' and sample course syllabi. The plans were created by academic departments to help you stay on track and complete graduation requirements. These plans should be used in conjunction with your degree audit to show you the necessary order of courses so that pre-requisites are met for higher level classes and encourage you to take classes that complement each other in the same semester. The plans also reflect general UMass Boston degree requirements, which you can read more about here

These plans are a suggested framework for completing degree requirements to graduate in eight semesters. We recognize that every student is an individual who has full autonomy over the pace of their academic progress.  As such, your Student Success Advisor is pleased to work with you to develop a personalized plan for graduation, whether that be over four years, or longer if you so choose.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry Department

Biochemistry Four-Year Plan

Sample Syllabi:
- Sample Biology 111 Syllabus
- Sample Chemistry 115 Syllabus
- Sample Chemistry 117 Syllabus

Relevant Course Catalogs:
- Biology Course Catalog
- Chemistry Course Catalog

Biology

Biology Department

Biology Advising Guide 2024

Biology Four-Year Plan

Sample Syllabi:
- Sample Biology 111 Syllabus
- Sample Chemistry 115 Syllabus
- Sample Chemistry 117 Syllabus

Relevant Course Catalogs:
- Biology Course Catalog
- Chemistry Course Catalog

Chemistry

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Computer Science Department  Computer Science Internal Website 

Computer Science BA Four-Year Plan

Computer Science BS Four-Year plan

Click here to learn more about the Computer Science program from Professor Nurit Haspel

Tech Science Decision Guide (A guide to help students decide which computer-related program is right for them). 

Sample Syllabi:
- Sample Computer Science 110 Syllabus
- Sample Physics 113 Syllabus
- Sample Physics 181 Syllabus

Important Advising Notes: 

  • The following courses in the Computer Science major have a grade requirement of "C-" or above in order to progress:
    CS 110->CS220
    CS 210->CS310
    CS 220->CS420
  • ALEKS Math Placement considerations
    • Academic integrity matters.  For ALEKS to be effective, you must do the exam on your own without notes, books, or help from others.  ALEKS is not a traditional exam.  Instead, it’s a tool to help you place into an appropriate course for which you have the best chance to succeed.  Learn more about academic integrity and the University's Code of Conduct.
    • The Computer Science website states that an aptitude for logical reasoning and mathematics is needed to complete the major successfully, partly because designing programs to solve problems requires good problem solving skills and partly because some of the requirements are relatively advanced theoretical Computer Science and mathematics courses.
    • In light of the above, it's critical that your math foundational knowledge is strong and that you pursue your math development in a sound educational manner.  Although it is ideal for new students to start their math requirement at the Calculus level (Math 140), if you place into College Algebra (Math 115), or Precalculus (Math 130), it's wise for you to start at that level as it is likely an accurate reflection of your mathematical aptitude and preparation.  Be sure to talk with your academic advisor for additional guidance.  Visit the CSM Math Placement webpage for more considerations on enrolling in an appropriate math course. 

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Physics

Information Technology

Information Technology Department

Information Technology Four-Year Plan
Information Technology Advising Tool
Information Technology Tracks  (Information to help students decide which track is right for them)
Tech Science Decision Guide (A guide to help students decide which computer-related program is right for them). 

Sample Syllabus:
- Sample Information Techology 110 Syllabus

 

Mathematics

Math Department  

Click here to learn more about the Math program from Professor Alfred Noel

Math BA Four Year Plans
- Standard Math BA Four-Year Plan (For students who declared the math major in Fall 2019 or prior)
- Math for Teaching Concentration Four-Year Plan

Math BS Four-Year Plans
- Standard Math BS Four-year Plan (For students who declared the math major in Fall 2019 or prior)
- Applied and Pure Math Concentration Four-Year Plan
- Computational Math Concentration

- Students interested in Actuarial Sciences should select the Computational Math Concentration.  See this webpage for contact information and to learn more about the Actuarial Science courses. 

Sample Syllabi:
Review sample syllabi for most math courses here.  A course syllabus is an essential form of communication between instructors and students. In particular, a course syllabus will describe learning objectives, required assignments, course grading rubrics, attendance policies, among other information to help students fully understand all course expectations. 

Math Course Measurable Outcomes:
- Math 115 Measurable Outcomes
- Math 130 Measurable Outcomes
- Math 140 Measurable Outcomes

Concentration Information:
All mathematics majors are required to declare a concentration

  • Applied and Pure or Computational Mathematics for BS students
  • Mathematics for Teaching for BA students.

Concentrations must be declared by the time that the core program requirements* are substantially complete and/or 60 total credits have been earned (including any test or transfer credits). Additionally, declaring a concentration is required in order to be assigned a faculty advisor.

*The core program requirements are: MATH140, MATH141, MATH242, MATH260, MATH265, MATH270, MATH291, MATH314, MATH345, PHYSIC113, and CS110.

More information on our concentrations can be found here.

Physics

Pre-Med