Requirements for the Major in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science requires 125 credit hours, assuming no high school deficiencies. Computer Science majors are required to take 44 credit hours of computer science, 16 hours of mathematics, and 12 hours of natural science. With the mathematics courses that are required for a Computer Science degree, a minor in mathematics is easily obtained with the addition of one course. However, computer science majors are encouraged to choose a second Plan A minor, consisting of 17-25 hours, designed to allow the student to identify with some academic area outside computer science. (Students who wish to take a cohesive block of courses that crosses departmental or even college lines should consider the Individualized Program of Studies minor offered by the College or a business minor offered by the College of Business Administration). A student may double major in computer science and mathematics by taking just 19 additional hours of advanced mathematics.

Computer Science and Engineering courses (44 hours):

• Computer Science Core (22-25 hours)
  • Required Courses – CSCE 155, 156, 230, 230L, 235, 251, 310, 322, 361
• Depth Courses (6 hours)
  • CSCE 351 or CSCE 451, and
  • CSCE 423 or CSCE 428
• Technical Electives (9-12 hours) from 300 or 400 level
• Senior Design Experience (4 hours)
  • CSCE 486 and 487

** NOTE: CSCE 496 Special Topics will be treated on an individual basis to satisfy the breadth requirement. CSCE 498 Computer Problems may not be used to satisfy the breadth requirement.

Mathematics and Statistics courses (16 hours):

• Required courses – calculus (MATH 106 and 107), linear algebra (MATH 314), and statistics (STAT 380) (Note: 1 additional course would constitute a minor);

** NOTE: Joint mathematics and computer science majors who take both 441 and 447 may count one of the courses towards both majors and the other towards the major in the department through which the student registered for the course.

Science courses (12 hours):

• Must be in courses designed for science/engineering majors including a two-semester sequence of courses with laboratories in a single science discipline. The approved sequences are:

  BIOS 101/101L and 109 or 101/101L and 112/112L or 109 and 112/112L or 201 and 301/305
  CHEM 109, 110 and 121 or 113 and 114/116
  GEOL 101 and 103
  PHYS 211/221, 212/222 and 213/223

The remaining hours may be taken from any astronomy, biological science, chemistry, physical geography, meteorology, geology, or physics courses except those noted as "not for major credit" or "not a prerequisite for any other major course" or "for non-science majors." It is not required that a laboratory be included with these remaining hours. Students may petition for substitutions for the two-course sequence and the remaining hours. Substitution requests are available at the department office.

Supporting courses (31 hours):

• English Composition, Social Sciences, History, Humanities, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, and Library;

Elective courses (22 hours):

• Pure electives that allow for a second major in mathematics, a second minor (in addition to mathematics), or a more general education.

The College of Arts and Sciences has general education requirements in both essential and integrative studies. Essential studies include communication, the social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, historical studies, the humanities, the arts, and human diversity. Integrative studies engage students intensively in intellectual activities such as writing, speaking, critical thinking, and the consideration of human diversity. Students must take 30 hours of integrative studies courses with at least one course each at the 200, 300, and 400 levels, and at most three per department.

Pass/No Pass. Departmental permission to take major or minor courses for pass/no pass credit must be obtained. Request forms are available in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall.

Program Assessment. In order to assist the department in evaluating the effectiveness of its programs, majors will be required in their senior year:

1. To complete a written exit survey.

The undergraduate adviser will inform students of the scheduling and format of assessment activities.

Results of participation in these assessment activities will in no way affect a student's GPA or graduation.