Computer Science, Bachelor of Science Computer Science
Computer Science is the study of the structure, function and application of computers and is central to the rapidly expanding use of information technology. Computers have traditionally been used in business, engineering and scientific applications, and now applications are found in almost all human activities from art to zoology. Computer science is both an applied and theoretical discipline, supported by the principles of science, engineering, and mathematics that has a direct and profound impact on the quality of life and society at large.
The Department of Computer Science offers three degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). The BSCS degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCE) in cooperation with the Department of Electrical Engineering. The Department also offers service courses to fulfill University core curriculum requirements, and computer science courses required for degree programs in engineering, science, and mathematics. Faculty conduct research in computer science, computer science education, and interdisciplinary fields, and contribute their professional service to student advising, mentoring, professional organizations, University activities, industrial interactions, and to the community through professional expertise.
The undergraduate curricula in computer science are based on the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society recommendations for curricula and reflect the goals of a liberal arts education. The graduate curricula provide advanced and specialized study in the areas of computer science and information technology. The curricula in computer science provide the student with marketable expertise to enter the computing and information technology fields, the skills and education required to adapt to the rapidly changing characteristic of the fields, and the foundation to pursue graduate study in computer science and information technology.
Core Curriculum – 42 Hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once. The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.
020 Mathematics - 3 hours
MATH 2413 is given three credit hours for the lecture component.
030 Life and Physical Sciences - 6 hours
Choose any two courses:
Three credit hours from the lecture component of each life and physical science course will be applied towards this requirement.
040 Language, Philosophy, and Culture - 3 hours
090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours
Choose an additional 1-hour course from this category except PHIL 2326.
Complete 1-hour of laboratory from each corresponding science course from category 030 Life and Physical Sciences for a total of 2 credit hours.
Major Requirements - 68 hours
Required Courses - 32 hours
Computer Science Core
Computer Science Electives – 18 hours
Programming Language - 3 hours
Choose one:
Databases, Architecture, Networking, and Operating Systems - 6 hours
Choose two:
Additional Computer Science Electives - 9 hours
Choose three:
Support Courses - 18 hours
Oral and Written Communication - 3 hours
Mathematics and Engineering - 15 hours
Required:
MATH 2413 is given one credit hours for the lecture component
Choose one:
Free Electives - 14 hours
Free electives credit hours required may vary to achieve the institutional minimum of 120 hours for a degree.Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 124
Major Graduation Requirements
Specific graduation requirements required for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.
• All courses in section Computer Science Core must be completed with a grade ‘C’ or better.
• All courses in sections Programming Language and Databases, Architecture, Networking, and Operating Systems must be completed with a grade ‘C’ or better