Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science

The Associate in Science (AS), Emphasis in Computer Science degree provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in computer science. With an associate degree, students may seek employment as a computer user support specialist. With a bachelor's degree, students may pursue employment opportunities in several careers, including computer network architects, computer programmers, computer systems analysts, database administrators, information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators, and/or software developers in a number of sectors including arts, sciences, manufacturing, engineering, medicine, energy, and security.

Details

Field of Interest

Computer and Information Technology

Degree Type

Associate in Science (AS)

Academic Plan

Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

8601

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2025-2026

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following transfer partners:

ASU (Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering), Computer Science (any emphasis), BS

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn

Write programs in a variety of programming languages and computing environments.
Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics to model situations in a variety of disciplines.
Analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
Design, implement, and evaluate a software solution to meet required specifications.
Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of software, and demonstrate an understanding of tradeoffs involved in design choices.
Demonstrate creativity, adaptability, and flexibility in solving problems.
Apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.
Demonstrate ethical reasoning and professional conduct in computing disciplines.
Collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds to accomplish a common goal.
Effectively communicate with a variety of audiences orally, visually, and in writing.
Demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt in a constantly evolving technical environment.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Computer Network Architects

$118,810

Computer Programmers

$79,350

Computer Systems Analysts

$98,470

Computer User Support Specialists

$55,190

Database Administrators

$93,990

Information Security Analysts

$108,640

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$87,900

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

Software Developers, Applications
Software Developers, Systems Software

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
CSC110 or CSC110AA or CSC110AB	Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, or an appropriate District placement for MAT15+ or higher, or permission of Instructor or Department/Division Chair.	CS or CS or CS	3–4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	FYC or FYC	3
MAT220 or MAT221	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.	MA or MA	4–5
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success			1–3
(CHM150 and CHM151LL) or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or CHM151AA or PHY121 or BIO181 or BIO181XT or (GLG101 and GLG103) or GLG101IN	(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I with Lab or University Physics I: Mechanics or General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I or (Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lecture and Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lab) or Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or permission of Department or Division. One year of high school physics suggested but not required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended. or No requisites or No requisites	SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ in combo w/ GLG103 and SQ or SQ	4–5

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
CSC/EEE120	Digital Design Fundamentals	Corequisites: CSC100 or CSC110 or permission of Instructor.	CS	4
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	FYC or FYC	3
MAT230 or MAT231	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.	MA or MA	4–5
(CHM152 and CHM152LL) or CHM152AA or PHY131 or BIO182 or BIO182XT or (GLG102 and GLG104) or GLG102IN	(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II with Lab or University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II or (Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lecture and Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lab) or Historical Geology: Primordial to Present	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM152. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department or Division and PHY121. Corequisites: MAT241 or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181, or BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181 or BIO181XT. or No requisites or No requisites	SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ or SQ or SG or SG or H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG	4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CSC205++	Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC110 or permission of Instructor.		CS	3–4
CSC/EEE230	Computer Organization and Assembly Language	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CSC100 or CSC110) and CSC/EEE120, or permission of Instructor.			4
MAT240 or MAT241	Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231. or Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231.		MA or MA	4–5
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113)], or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
HU and L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design and Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU and L	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
CSC240 or CSC240AA	Introduction to Different Programming Languages or Introduction to Different Programming Languages	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC205 or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC205 or permission of Instructor.		3–4
MAT227	Discrete Mathematical Structures	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221, or permission of Department/Division Chair.		3
HU and C	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design and Cultural Diversity in the US		HU and C	3
COM100 or COM110 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication		SB or SB or SB	3
(SB and G) or (SB and H)	(Social-Behavioral Sciences and Global Awareness) or (Social-Behavioral Sciences and Historical Awareness)		SB and G or SB and H	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements: Cultural [C] and Global [G] or Historical [H] Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
CSC110 or CSC110AA or CSC110AB	Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java) or Introduction to Computer Science (Java)	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, or an appropriate District placement for MAT15+ or higher, or permission of Instructor or Department/Division Chair.	CS or CS or CS	3–4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	FYC or FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success			1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
(CHM150 and CHM151LL) or (CHM151 and CHM151LL) or CHM150AA or CHM151AA or PHY121 or BIO181 or BIO181XT or (GLG101 and GLG103) or GLG101IN	(General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or (General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory) or General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I with Lab or University Physics I: Mechanics or General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I or (Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lecture and Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth Lab) or Physical Geology: Dynamic Earth	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL) or CHM130AA or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and (MAT151 or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM150 or CHM151. or Prerequisites: C or better in [(CHM130 & CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or 1 yr of high school chemistry taken within the last 5 yrs] & C or better in MAT151 or higher or satisfactory score on placement exam or permission of the Instructor or Dept or Div Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM130 and CHM130LL), or CHM130AA, or one year of high school chemistry taken within the last five years] and (a grade of C or better in MAT151 or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory placement), or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or permission of Department or Division. One year of high school physics suggested but not required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended. or No requisites or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151 or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ or SQ in combo w/ GLG103 and SQ or SQ	4–5

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CSC/EEE120	Digital Design Fundamentals	Corequisites: CSC100 or CSC110 or permission of Instructor.		CS	4
MAT220 or MAT221	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or MAT188, or an appropriate District placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT187, or an appropriate District placement.		MA or MA	4–5

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT230 or MAT231	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II or Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT220, or MAT221, or equivalent.		MA or MA	4–5
(CHM152 and CHM152LL) or CHM152AA or PHY131 or BIO182 or BIO182XT or (GLG102 and GLG104) or GLG102IN	(General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory) or General Chemistry II with Lab or University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism or General Biology (Majors) II or General Biology (Majors) II or (Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lecture and Introduction to Geology II - Historical Lab) or Historical Geology: Primordial to Present	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM152. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT230 or MAT231 or permission of Department or Division and PHY121. Corequisites: MAT241 or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181, or BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181 or BIO181XT. or No requisites or No requisites		SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM152 or SQ or SQ or SG or SG or H; SG in combo w/ GLG104 and SG in combo w/ GLG102 or H, SG	4

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CSC205++	Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC110 or permission of Instructor.		CS	3–4
MAT240 or MAT241	Calculus with Analytic Geometry III or Calculus with Analytic Geometry III	Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231. or Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in MAT230 or MAT231.		MA or MA	4–5

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CSC/EEE230	Computer Organization and Assembly Language	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CSC100 or CSC110) and CSC/EEE120, or permission of Instructor.			4
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113)], or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor.	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
HU and L	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design and Literacy & Critical Inquiry			HU and L	3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CSC240 or CSC240AA	Introduction to Different Programming Languages or Introduction to Different Programming Languages	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC205 or permission of Instructor. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CSC205 or permission of Instructor.			3–4
MAT227	Discrete Mathematical Structures	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT212, or MAT213, or MAT220, or MAT221, or permission of Department/Division Chair.			3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Area	Credits
HU and C	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design and Cultural Diversity in the US	HU and C	3
COM100 or COM110 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication	SB or SB or SB	3
(SB and G) or (SB and H)	(Social-Behavioral Sciences and Global Awareness) or (Social-Behavioral Sciences and Historical Awareness)	SB and G or SB and H	3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Students may be required to complete a language course at the elementary or intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information about your transfer-specific world language requirement.

Course Area Key

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
G = Global Awareness
H = Historical Awareness
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design

L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456158).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Science (AS) in Associate in Science, Emphasis in Computer Science