General education
The General Education Requirements are comprised of three parts: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. In addition, U.S. Diversity requirements must also be met. For details, refer to the General Education section of the catalog. In order to satisfy both general education and other program requirements, in some of the general education areas students should select from the courses listed below.
Foundations
- Writing Foundations (WRT 1060)
- Formal Reasoning (Satisfied by MTH 1554; see Mathematics and sciences)
Explorations: One course from each of the seven Explorations areas
- Arts
- Language and Culture
- Global Perspective
- Literature
- Natural Science and Technology (Satisfied by an approved science elective with lab; see Mathematics and Sciences)
- Social Science
- Western Civilization (Satisfied by PHL 1310; see additional major requirements)
Integration
- Knowledge Applications (Satisfied by MTH 1555; see Mathematics and sciences)
U.S. Diversity
- May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area.
Writing Intensive and Capstone
- Capstone (Satisfied by CSI 4999; see Required professional subjects)
- Writing Intensive in the Major (Satisfied by CSI 4999; see Required professional subjects)
- Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)
Additional Major Requirements
All students must complete the following requirement.
- Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
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.
Minimum credit hour requirements in mathematics and sciences
Students must complete all five required mathematics and statistics courses for a minimum of 15 credits. Students with fewer than 15 credits of required mathematics and statistics, for example due to transfers from another institution, must take additional courses to satisfy the requirement. Any additional course must be approved by a petition of exception.
Students must complete an approved science elective and an approved science elective with lab for a minimum of 6 credits. Students with fewer than 6 credits of sciences, for example due to transfers from another institution, must take additional courses to satisfy the requirements. Any additional course must be approved by a petition of exception.
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. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Computer Science will have their major changed to Computer Science. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Computer Science is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.
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 , an approved science elective, and an approved science elective with lab.
B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following computer science core courses: CSI 1420 , CSI 2300 , CSI 2310 , CSI 2470 , and 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.
E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. 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.
Students who have questions about petition of exception, transfer credit, academic standing, major standing, or any other aspects of their degree programs should consult an academic adviser and other relevant sections of the undergraduate catalog.
Performance requirements
Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each group: mathematics and sciences, computer science core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects, professional electives, and professional track). Within the professional courses at most two different courses may be repeated, a total of three attempts per course is permitted, and at most two grades below C are permitted. A grade of C or better in CSI 4999 (Senior Capstone Project) must be received.
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.