Courses

Course Offering Plan 

Course Offering Plan
Offering Plan Exceptions - Academic Year 2024-25 

Spring 2025-Subject to Change

Courses Not Yet on SPIRE 

The following NEW experimental courses are being reviewed by the Faculty Senate and will not appear on SPIRE until fully approved:

  • CICS 590P Technology Policy and Innovation to Serve the Common Good
    Instructor:  Emily Nutwell and Carolina Rossini

    Credits:  3
    In this course, we will introduce Public Interest Technology, innovation, and relevant regulatory frameworks to provide a foundation to explore the thoughtful design of technology that can serve society while remaining safe for all users and stakeholders. The course begins with examining the core values of public interest technology, such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. We will then review foundational concepts around innovation and strategies, along with an overview of technology governance. An overview of product development models, focusing on Agile product development will be presented along with a presentation of tech governance within an Agile framework. We will then analyze case studies where technologies have either succeeded or failed to uphold these values, examining the societal impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving cars, digital platforms, and data-driven systems. Throughout the semester, guest lectures from leaders in the fields of technology policy, innovation, and governance will offer insights into how you can bridge the gap between regulatory goals and technological creativity in your future careers. This course counts as an Elective for the CS and INFORM Majors.

    Course URL:  TBD

    Prerequisites & Eligibility:  LEC 01: JUNIOR AND SENIOR CS AND INFORM MAJORS WITH CICS 305 WITH A GRADE OF C OR BETTER.
 LEC 02: MS-CMPSCI GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY.
    Class Notes:  CROSS-LISTED WITH SPP 590P.  LEC 01 FOR UNDERGRADS; LEC 02 FOR GRADS.  CS/INFORM MAJORS WHO HAVE COMPLETED AN ALTERNATE JYW COURSE WITH A C OR BETTER WILL BE CONSIDERED.
    Meeting Days/Times:  TT 10:00-11:15 AM
  • COMPSCI 590QC Quantum Communication
    
Instructor:  Gayane Vardoyan

    Credits:  3
    This course will provide an introduction to fundamental principles underlying quantum communication, including quantum repeaters, entanglement, and other tools needed for the implementation of distributed quantum protocols. Topics include: basics of quantum computation and information; modeling and coping with noise in quantum systems; entanglement generation schemes; quantum Internet and its applications.  Meets with and is identical to COMPSCI 690QC, with the exception that the final project requires students to read a research paper and compose a detailed summary of it. This course counts as a CS Elective for the CS Major.

    Course URL:  TBD

    Prerequisites & Eligibility:  LEC 01: JUNIOR AND SENIOR CS MAJORS ONLY WITH MATH 235 AND COMPSCI 240 (OR STATISTC 315/515), BOTH WITH A GRADE OF C OR BETTER.  LEC 02: MS-CMPSCI STUDENTS ONLY.
    
Class Notes:  MEETS WITH COMPSCI 690QC.  LEC 01 FOR UNDERGRADS; LEC 02 FOR GRADS. STUDENTS CAN ONLY RECEIVE CREDIT FOR EITHER 590QC OR 690QC, NOT BOTH, REGARDLESS OF SEMESTER.  SWAPPING BETWEEN 590QC AND 690QC IS ONLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE END OF ADD/DROP.  SEATS HELD FOR INCOMING GRAD STUDENT REGISTRATION.  FAMILIARITY WITH PROBABILITY THEORY, LINEAR ALGEBRA, AND COMPLEX NUMBERS.  NO PRIOR FAMILIARITY WITH QUANTUM CONCEPTS NEEDED.  PHYSICS STUDENTS SHOULD WAIT UNTIL OPEN TO SELF-ENROLL.  ALTHOUGH NOT ON THE LIST OF PRE-APPROVED INFORM ELECTIVES, INTERESTED JUNIOR AND SENIOR INFORM MAJORS MEETING PREREQUISITE WILL BE CONSIDERED VIA OVERRIDE.
    Meeting Days/Times:  MW 4:00-5:15 PM
  • COMPSCI 690QC Quantum Communication

    Instructor:  Gayane Vardoyan

    Credits:  3
    This course will provide an introduction to fundamental principles underlying quantum communication, including quantum repeaters, entanglement, and other tools needed for the implementation of distributed quantum protocols. Topics include: basics of quantum computation and information; modeling and coping with noise in quantum systems; entanglement generation schemes; quantum Internet and its applications.  Meets with and is identical to 590QC, with the exception that students will carry out a research project involving a simulation of a quantum network.

    Course URL:  TBD
    
Prerequisites & Eligibility:  CMPSCI GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY.

    Class Notes:  MEETS WITH COMPSCI 590QC.  STUDENTS CAN ONLY RECEIVE CREDIT FOR EITHER 590QC OR 690QC, NOT BOTH, REGARDLESS OF SEMESTER.  SWAPPING BETWEEN 590QC AND 690QC IS ONLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE END OF ADD/DROP.  SEATS HELD FOR INCOMING GRAD STUDENT REGISTRATION.  FAMILIARITY WITH PROBABILITY THEORY, LINEAR ALGEBRA, AND COMPLEX NUMBERS.  NO PRIOR FAMILIARITY WITH QUANTUM CONCEPTS NEEDED.  PHYSICS STUDENTS SHOULD WAIT UNTIL OPEN TO SELF-ENROLL. 
    Meeting Days/Times:  MW 4:00-5:15 PM

The following courses are in the process of being added and will appear on SPIRE as soon as Course & Classroom Management has the opportunity to add the course:

  • Courses not requiring Faculty Senate approval will be listed here once submitted to Course & Classroom Management.

 

Spring 2025 - Override Requests for CICS, COMPSCI, and INFO Courses

Process for students who require special permission to enroll in university-scheduled CICS, COMPSCI, and INFO courses. 

Fall 2024

 

Fall 2024 - Overrides

Process for students who require special permission to enroll in university-scheduled CICS, COMPSCI, and INFO courses. 

Winter 2025

Winter 2025 - Override Requests for CICS, COMPSCI, and INFO Courses

Process for students who require special permission to enroll in courses offered through University+ (formerly University Without Walls).

Override Information »

Spring 2024

Spring 2024 - Override Requests for CICS, COMPSCI and INFO Courses

Process for students who require special permission to enroll in university-scheduled CICS, COMPSCI, and INFO courses. 

Override Information »

Other Helpful Tools 

Courses Outside the College 

Additional computer science-related courses are also offered in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UMass and at nearby Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges. The Five College Course Catalog combines course schedule information from these colleges, as well as UMass.