The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science Computer Science

Program Overview

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 BSCS in Computer Science degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate curricula in computer science are based on the Association for Computing Machinery recommendations for curricula and reflect the goals of a liberal arts education. The curricula in computer science provide the student with marketable expertise to enter the computing field, 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.

Specific graduation requirements 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

 

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 2413Calculus I

4

MATH 2413 is given three credit hours for the lecture component.

030 Life and Physical Sciences - 6 hours

Choose any two courses:

BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

BIOL 1407General Biology II

4

BIOL 2401Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 2402Anatomy and Physiology II

4

CHEM 1311General Chemistry I

3

Or

CHEM 1309Chemistry for Engineers

3

 

CHEM 1312General Chemistry II

3

 

PHYS 1401General Physics I

4

Or

PHYS 2425Physics for Scientists and Engineers I

4

 

PHYS 1402General Physics II

4

Or

PHYS 2426Physics for Scientists and Engineers II

4

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

PHIL 2326Ethics, Technology and Society

3

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.

COMM 1315Public Speaking

3

Major Requirements - 68 hours

Required Courses - 32 hours

Computer Science Core

CSCI 1101Introduction to Computer Science

1

CSCI 1470Computer Science I

4

CSCI 2333Computer Organization and Assembly Language

3

CSCI 2344Programming in Unix/ Linux Environment

3

CSCI 2380Computer Science II

3

CSCI 3310Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science

3

CSCI 3333Algorithms and Data Structures

3

CSCI 3336Organization of Programming Languages

3

CSCI 3340Software Engineering I

3

CSCI 4325Automata, Formal Languages, and Computability

3

CSCI 4390Senior Project

3

Prescribed Electives – 18 hours

Programming Language - 3 hours

Choose one:

CSCI 3326Object Oriented Programming in Java

3

CSCI 3327Object-Oriented Programming

3

CSCI 3328Object-Oriented Programming in C#

3

CSCI 3329Object Oriented Programming in Python

3

Databases, Architecture, Networking, and Operating Systems - 6 hours

Choose two:

CSCI 4333Database Design and Implementation

3

CSCI 4334Operating Systems

3

Or

CYBI 3345Operating Systems and Security

3

CSCI 4335Computer Architecture

3

Or

EECE 4380Computer Architecture

3

CSCI 4345Computer Networks

3

Or

CYBI 3335Data Communications and Networking

3

Additional Computer Science Electives - 9 hours

Choose three:

CSCI 3300Internship in Computer Science

3

CSCI 3334Systems Programming

3

CSCI 3341Software Engineering II

3

CSCI 3342Web Development

3

CSCI 3343Introduction to Data Science

3

CSCI 3351Topics in Computer Science

3

CSCI 3370Introduction to Game Development

3

CSCI 4185Research Seminar

1

CSCI 4301Digital Image Processing

3

CSCI 4303Computer Vision

3

CSCI 4310Design and Analysis of Algorithms

3

CYBI 4318Cyber Security

3

CYBI 4319Digital Forensics

3

CSCI 4321Games & Computation

3

CSCI 4341Topics in Computer Science

3

CSCI 4343Data Mining

3

CSCI 4344Bioinformatics

3

CSCI 4350Artificial Intelligence

3

CSCI 4352Machine Learning

3

CSCI 4353Introduction to Deep Learning

3

CYBI 4365Computer and Network Security

3

Support Courses - 18 hours

Oral and Written Communication - 3 hours

ENGL 3342Technical Communication

3

Mathematics and Engineering - 15 hours

Required:

MATH 2318Linear Algebra

3

MATH 2413Calculus I

4

MATH 2414Calculus II

4

EECE 2106Digital Systems Engineering Lab I

1

EECE 2306Digital Systems Engineering I

3

MATH 2413 is given one credit hours for the lecture component

Choose one:
STAT 3337Probability and Statistics

3

STAT 3301Applied Statistics

3

EECE 3340Probability and Statistics for Electrical and Computer Engineers

3

Free Electives - hours will vary

Free electives credit hours required may vary to achieve the institutional minimum of 120 hours for a degree.

Advanced Minimum Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120

 

View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.

 

UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements. 

 

Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.