Computer Science, B.S.

Requirements for the major in computer science, B.S. program

The program in computer science leading to a Bachelor of Science degree prepares students for a productive career in industry, and for graduate study in computer science. The program prepares the students for a productive career in industry by providing them with the technical skills to formulate suitable abstractions, create novel computational solutions, design complex systems, and improve on existing solutions integrating current and emerging technologies. The program prepares the students for lifelong learning and graduate school by providing them with the theoretical foundations of information and computation and exposing them to areas of current and future developments. The program also includes a strong professional component for the development of skills in technical communication, ethics, and team work. The BS in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Program educational objectives

In the course of their careers, graduates of the Computer Science program will:

Work productively in the creation, maintenance, and improvement of computing systems.
Remain current in their profession through lifelong learning, including graduate school.
Exhibit leadership and exercise their profession with the highest level of ethics, and social responsibility.

Course requirements (minimum of 128 total credits)

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in computer science students must complete a minimum of 128 credits, satisfy the general education requirements (also see Undergraduate degree requirements) and meet the following requirements:

General education (excluding math and science) – 28 credits

Students are required to take PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering to satisfy the general education requirement in Western Civilization.
In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Mathematics and sciences – 29 credits

MTH 1554 - Calculus I (4)
MTH 1555 - Calculus II (4)
MTH 2775 - Linear Algebra (4)
APM 2663 - Discrete Mathematics (4)
STA 2226 - Applied Probability and Statistics (4)
PHY 1510 - Introductory Physics I (4) and PHY 1100 General Physics Lab I (1)*
PHY 1620 - Fundamentals of Physics II (4) *

* PHY 1510 and PHY 1100 must be taken concurrently.

PHY 1620 does not satisfy the university general education requirement in the natural science and technology knowledge exploration area. Credit for both PHY 1520 and PHY 1620 is not permitted.

Computer science core – 22 credits

CSI 1420 - Introduction to C Programming and Unix (4)
EGR 2400 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
CSI 2300 - Object-Oriented Computing (4)
CSI 2310 - Data Structures (4)
CSI 2999 - Sophomore Project (2)
CSI 3640 - Computer Organization (4)

Required professional subjects – 32 credits

CSI 2470 - Introduction to Computer Networks (4)
CSI 3610 - Design and Analysis of Algorithm (4)
CSI 3350 - Programming Languages (4)
CSI 3370 - Software Engineering and Practice (4)
CSI 3430 - Theory of Computation (4)
CSI 3450 - Database Design and Implementation (4)
CSI 4500 - Fundamentals of Operating Systems (4)
CSI 4999 - Senior Capstone Project (4)

Professional training – 4 credits

Select one of the following courses:

CSI 4950 - Internship (4)
CSI 4995 - Undergraduate Research (4)

Professional track – 8 credits

Select courses from one of the following professional tracks:

Computational Intelligence (CSI 5130, CSI 5810) (8)
System Administration Track (CSI 3660 , CSI 3670 ) (8)
Bioinformatics Track (BIO 3400 , CSI 4780 ) (8)
Computer Security Track (CSI 4480 , MTH 4772 ) (8)

Professional electives – 5 credits

Any 3000, 4000, or 5000 level engineering or computer science or information technology courses.

No more than one of the following 2000 level courses:

CSI 2320 - C++ for Programmers (2)
CSI 2330 - Immersive Python (2)
CSI 2340 - Ruby for Web Developers (2)
CSI 2350 - Programming in Visual C# for .NET Technology (2)

Any of the following 5000 level courses (with departmental approval):

CSI 5220 Objective Oriented Analysis and Design (4)
CSI 5380 Software Verification and Testing (4)
CSI 5420 Software Architecture and Components (4)
CSI 5490 Wireless and Industrial Networks (4)
CSI 5550 Visual Computing (4)
CSI 5810 Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery (4)
CSI 5830 E-Commerce and ERP (4)

Any math or science elective from the following:

APM 2555 - Introduction to Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra (4)
APM 3332 - Applied Matrix Theory (4)
APM 4333 - Numerical Methods (4)
APM 4334 - Applied Numerical Methods: Matrix Methods (4)
APM 4663 - Graph Theory and Combinatorial Mathematics (4)
APM 4777 - Computer Algebra (4)
BIO 1200 - Biology I (4)
CHM 1430 - Chemical Principles (4)
MTH 3552 - Complex Variables (4)
MOR 2442 - Elementary Models in Operations Research (4)
PHY 1110 - General Physics Lab II (1)
PHY 3250 - Biological Physics (4)
PHY 3260 - Medical Physics (4)
PHY 3310 - Optics (4)
PHY 3660 - Vibrations and Waves (4)
PHY 3710 - Foundations of Modern Physics (4)
or others by approved petition to the SECS Committee on Academic Standing

Major standing

To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Computer Science, students must gain major standing. An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses. Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate Advising Office or from the SECS website.

To gain major standing in Computer Science, students must:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: MTH 1554 , MTH 1555 , MTH 2775 , APM 2663 , PHY 1510 , PHY 1620 .

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following computer science core courses: EGR 2400 , CSI 2300 , CSI 2999 .

C) have no more than two grades below C in the courses listed in A and B above.

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times. Students may petition to repeat a course a fourth time.

E) have not repeated more than three different courses. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete requirements A and B above.

Performance requirements

In addition to previously stated requirements, satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of C within each group: namely, mathematics and sciences, core subjects and professional subjects. Within professional subjects, at most two grades below C are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated and a total of three attempts is permitted.

Sample computer science schedule

Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.