Computer Science, B.S.

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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 BSE in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

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 104 - 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 science – 28 credits

MTH 154 - Calculus I (4)
MTH 155 - Calculus II (4)
MTH 275 - Linear Algebra (4)
APM 263 - Discrete Mathematics (4)
STA 226 - Applied Probability and Statistics (4)
PHY 161 - Fundamentals of Physics I (4) *
PHY 162 - Fundamentals of Physics II (4) *

PHY 161 and PHY 162

* Neither PHY 161 nor PHY 162 satisfies the university general education requirement in the natural science and technology knowledge exploration area. Credit for both PHY 151 and PHY 161 is not permitted, and credit for both PHY 152 and PHY 162 is not permitted.

Computer science core – 22 credits

CSE 142 - Introduction to C Programming and Unix (4)
EGR 240 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (4)
CSE 230 - Object-Oriented Computing I (4)
CSE 231 - Object-Oriented Computing II (4)
CSE 280 - Sophomore Project (2)
CSE 364 - Computer Organization (4)

Required professional subjects – 32 credits

CSE 247 - Introduction to Computer Networks (4)
CSE 335 - Programming Languages (4)
CSE 337 - Software Engineering and Practice (4)
CSE 343 - Theory of Computation (4)
CSE 345 - Database Design and Implementation (4)
CSE 361 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms (4)
CSE 450 - Fundamentals of Operating Systems (4)
CSE 480 - Senior Capstone Project (4)

Professional training – 4 credits

Selection one of the following courses:

CSE 496 - Internship (4)
CSE 498 - Undergraduate Research (4)

Professional track – 8 credits

Select courses from one of the following professional tracks:

Computational Intelligence (CSE 513, CSE 581) (8)
System Administration Track (CIT 348 , CIT 349 ) (8)
Bioinformatics Track (BIO 341 , CSE 461 ) (8)
Computer Security Track (CIT 448 , MTH 472 ) (8)

Electives – 6 credits

Any 300-, 400-, or 500-level engineering or computer science or information technology courses.

Any one of the following 200-level courses:

CSE 232 - C++ for Programmers (2)
CSE 233 - Immersive Python (2)
CSE 234 - Ruby for Web Developers (2)
CSE 235 - Programming in Visual C# for .NET Technology (2)

Any one of the following 500-level courses (with departmental approval):

CSE 522 Objective Oriented Analysis and Design (4)
CSE 538 Software Verification and Testing (4)
CSE 542 Rapid Proto and Component Software (4)
CSE 549 Wireless and Industrial Networks (4)
CSE 555 Visual Computing (4)
CSE 581 Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery (4)
CSE 583 E-Commerce and ERP (4)

Any math or science elective from the following:

APM 255 - Introduction to Differential Equations with Matrix Algebra (4)
APM 332 - Applied Matrix Theory (4)
APM 433 - Numerical Methods (4)
APM 434 - Applied Numerical Methods: Matrix Methods (4)
APM 463 - Graph Theory and Combinatorial Mathematics (4)
APM 477 - Computer Algebra (4)
BIO 111 - Biology I (4)
CHM 143 - Chemical Principles (4)
MTH 352 - Complex Variables (4)
MOR 242 - Elementary Models in Operations Research (4)
PHY 325 - Biological Physics (4)
PHY 326 - Medical Physics (4)
PHY 331 - Optics (4)
PHY 366 - Vibrations and Waves (4)
PHY 371 - Foundations of Modern Physics (4)
or others by approved petition to the SECS Committee on Academic Standing

Performance requirements

In addition to previously stated requirements, satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each group: namely, mathematics and science, core subjects and professional subjects. Within professional subjects, at most two grades below 2.0 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.