Computer Science, B.S.C.S.
Program Educational Objectives:
The computer science program prepares graduates who will:
- Be successful as practicing professionals in diverse career paths or in graduate school.
- Distinguish themselves in breadth of perspective and the ability to solve complex problems.
- Be effective communicators and team members, with many assuming leadership roles.
- Be active in their profession and participate in continuing education opportunities to foster personal and organizational growth.
- Demonstrate a concern for justice, ethical behavior, and societal improvement through participation in professional and civic organizations.
Student Outcomes:
The Shiley School of Engineering prepares computer science majors with the following outcomes so that as graduates, they can attain the Program Educational Objectives listed above.
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Software is at the core of many fields: science, medicine, education, business, and government. As a computer science major, you will study the entire software engineering process from defining a problem to designing a solution, as well as building, refining, and testing it.
The program of study provides both breadth and depth of topics in a progression of course work, beginning with a foundation of mathematics and computer science fundamentals during the first and second years. Courses during the junior year provide additional theoretical and practical background in computer science. Capstone course work during the senior year enables students to pursue their areas of interest through in-depth analysis, experimentation, and design. CS electives and professional electives are available in various specialties for students to pursue their particular fields of interest. Development of written and oral communication skills and teamwork are incorporated as important components of the educational experience.
The computer science program leads to a bachelor of science in computer science (B.S.C.S.) degree accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Degree Requirements
Common Engineering Requirements — 21 hours
EGR 110: For transfer students into the Shiley School who have declared a major and have not had an Introduction to Engineering course, the dean may approve the substitution of an engineering or computer science elective depending on the student’s educational background.
CS Majors:MTH 361 AND MTH 461 can substitute for EGR 361 and 3 math/science or CS math elective credits.
CS Majors: Students who complete the minor requirements for biology, chemistry, environmental science, or neuroscience may substitute four science credits (including 1 credit of lab) for the PHY 205/275 degree requirement. Course combinations for the substitution include: CHM 207/277, BIO 206/276, BIO 207/277, ENV 365/387, or any other 300-level or above course/lab requirement for the minor. Students who wish to exercise this substitution must complete the course substitution approval process through the CS program chair and Shiley Dean's Office.
Electives - 14 hours
| | Professional Electives (9 semester hours) | 9 |
| | General Elective (5 semester hours) | 5 |
Professional electives: The professional electives may be a combination of courses (each 3-credits or more unless approved by the program chair) offered by the University at the 200-level or higher. Professional electives include the following: courses offered by the Shiley School, courses that comprise a University minor, and courses included in an approved cluster. Professional elective credit may not be awarded for AP and IB examinations, or ROTC credit. Must be taken for a grade A - F.
Computer Science Requirements — 63 hours
| BUS 364 | Innovation | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ENT 480 | Creating a World-Class Venture | 3 |
| CS 203 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CS 273 | Computer Science Laboratory | 1 |
| CS 301 | Object-Oriented Design | 3 |
| CS 305 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CS 324 | Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 333 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 334 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 341 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS 352 | Programming Languages | 3 |
| CS 357 | Theory of Computation | 3 |
| CS 358 | Compiler Design | 3 |
| CS 368 | Seminar | 2 |
| | Or | |
| CS 369 | Advanced Seminar | 3 |
| CS 371 | Object-Oriented Design Laboratory | 1 |
| CS 376 | UNIX Tools Laboratory | 1 |
| CS 483 | Computer Science Capstone Project I | 3 |
| | Or | |
| EGR 483 | Multi-disciplinary Capstone Project I | 3 |
| CS 484 | Computer Science Capstone Project II | 3 |
| | Or | |
| EGR 484 | Multi-disciplinary Capstone Project II | 3 |
| MTH 311 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| | CS Electives (6 semester hours) | 6 |
| | CS Math Elective (2 semester hours) | 2 |
| | Math/Science Elective (8 semester hours) | 8 |
CS Electives: CS 4xx, does not include CS 48x courses. Must be taken for a grade A - F.
Math/Science Elective: Chosen from: BIO 200 or higher, CHM 200 or higher, PHY 300 or higher, or MTH 300 or higher. Does not include: BIO 384, BIO 387, CHM 387, MTH 387, and other specific math/science courses required for the degree. Must be taken for a grade A - F.
CS Math Elective: MTH 300 or higher. Does not include MTH 387 and other specific math courses required for the degree. Excess credits can be applied to math/science electives, professional electives, or general electives. Must be taken for a grade A - F.
BUS 480 can substitute for BUS 364.
Dual degrees within engineering: Students completing dual degrees within the Shiley School have two options for completing the XX 483/484 requirement: 1) The student takes EGR 483 and EGR 484 and the student’s contributions to the capstone project include both disciplines, or 2) The student takes both discipline-specific 483 and 484 courses.
Credit minima: 15 semester credit hours of math; 6 semester credit hours of natural science; 40 semester credit hours of computer science.
Total Credit Hours: 128