This document outlines the structure and components of the Computer Science Curricula 2013 which defines the body of knowledge for undergraduate computer science programs. It is organized into 18 Knowledge Areas that are further divided into Knowledge Units and Topics. Each Topic specifies core and elective topics and their associated learning hours and outcomes. Knowledge Areas do not map directly to courses, which can be organized differently at various institutions. The guidelines provide flexibility while ensuring coverage of fundamental concepts.

1. Computer Science
Curricula 2013
Kasun Ranga Wijeweera
(krw19870829@gmail.com)
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2. Reference
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3. Sub-disciplines of computing
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
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4. Body of Knowledge
• Body of Knowledge is organized into a set of
18 Knowledge Areas.
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5. Knowledge Areas
• AL – Algorithms and Complexity
• AR – Architecture and Organization
• CN – Computational Science
• DS – Discrete Structures
• GV – Graphics and Visualization
• HCI – Human-Computer Interaction
• IAS – Information Assurance and Security
• IM – Information Management
• IS – Intelligent Systems
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6. Knowledge Areas…
• NC – Networking and Communications
• OS – Operating Systems
• PBD – Platform-based Development
• PD – Parallel and Distributed Computing
• PL – Programming Languages
• SDF – Software Development Fundamentals
• SE – Software Engineering
• SF – Systems Fundamentals
• SP – Social Issues and Professional Practice
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7. Knowledge Units
• Each Knowledge Area is further organized into
a set of Knowledge Units.
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8. E.g. Graphics and Visualization
• Fundamental Concepts
• Basic Rendering
• Geometric Modeling
• Advanced Rendering
• Computer Animation
• Visualization
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9. Topics
• Each Knowledge Unit is further organized into
a set Topics.
• Topics are identified as either “Core Tier-1
Topics”, “Core Tier-2 Topics”, or “Elective
Topics”
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10. E.g. GV/Fundamental Concepts
• 4 Core Tier-1 Topics
• 3 Core Tier-2 Topics
• 1 Elective Topic
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11. Curricula Hours
• The unit of coverage in the Body of Knowledge
is defined in terms of lecture hours.
• An “hour” corresponds to the time required to
present the material in a traditional lecture-
oriented format.
• The hour count does not include any
additional work that is associated with a
lecture (e.g. in self-study, laboratory sessions,
and assessments).
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12. E.g. GV/Fundamental Concepts
• 2 hours for Core Tier-1 Topics
• 1 hour for Core Tier-2 Topics
• Time is not specified for Elective Topics
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13. The Rules
• A curriculum should include all Core Tier-1
hours.
• A curriculum should include at least 80% of
Core Tier-2 hours.
• A curriculum should include significant
amount of Elective hours.
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15. Courses
• A “course” means an institutionally-recognized
unit of study.
• The Topics within Knowledge Areas will be
organized into courses in different ways at
different institutions.
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16. E.g. Computer Graphics, Harvard
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17. Learning Outcomes
• Each Knowledge Unit lists both a set of Topics
and the Learning Outcomes.
• Each learning outcome has an associated level
of mastery.
– Familiarity: “What do you know about this?”
– Usage: “What do you know how to do?”
– Assessment: “Why would you do that?”
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18. E.g. Notion of Iteration
• Familiarity: Define the concept of iteration.
• Usage: Write a program properly using a form
of iteration.
• Assessment: Understand multiple methods
for iteration and appropriately select among
them for different applications.
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19. Some Important Facts
• Knowledge Areas are not necessarily Courses.
• Most Core Tier-1 topics will typically be
covered in introductory courses.
• The specification of topic hours represents
the minimum amount of time. Any institution
may opt to cover the same material in a
longer period of time.
• There is no expectation that Core Tier-1 Topics
necessarily precede all Core Tier-2 Topics.
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20. Materials
• Course Exemplar Template
• Curricular Exemplar Template
Link:
http://ai.stanford.edu/users/sahami/CS2013/
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21. Thank you!
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