Computer Science Bachelor of Science degree

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (CS) degree is available with three options (tracks):

• Advanced Computing (AC)
• Software Development (SD)
• General Track (GT)

All three options contain a common core of fundamental courses in the science of computing, with essential emphasis on theory, practice and applications. Further, courses in the AC track prepare graduates for post-graduate education in computer science and careers in the scientific computing sectors. The SD track prepares graduates for systems level software design and development, as well as for computer networking. The GT option is a general track and allows students more breadth in the choice of 400-level courses in meeting the CS requirements.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is built on a required core of course work in computer science, to which are added the requirements in the student’s selected track.

Computer Sciences (CS Core) (27 credit hours)

A. Advanced Computing (AC) Track - 56 credit hours:

This track is designed for students who intend to pursue graduate education in computer science or who seek careers in scientific computing and want to have solid foundations in the ever-lasting principles of the discipline combined with current techniques and tools.

The AC track requires the CS Core, plus:

Four additional computer science courses must be taken from at least 3 different areas. At least three courses must be at the 400 level:

1. Computer Architecture and Systems Software options

2. Database and Information Systems options

3. Theoretical Foundations options

4. Languages and Applications options

Courses from the following list may be taken as electives; they do not count in any of the above areas: CSIT 490 Seminar on Selected Topics, CSIT 496 Special Topics, CSIT 497 Thesis, CSIT 499 Senior Project, CSIT 300 Internship, CSIT 291 Special Topics, CSIT 390 Directed Study, CSIT 201 Computer Security and Ethics, CSIT 400 Directed Independent Study.

Additional Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in Natural Sciences (BIOL, CHEM, GEO, PHYS) and Mathematics/Statistics (MATH/STAT). Of these, at least 3 credits must be in Mathematics/Statistics (in addition to CSIT 241, CSIT 242, MATH 122, and MATH 123) and must come from the following list, by advisement:

At least 7 credits must be in Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, or Physics, and at least one of these 7 credits must be a laboratory course.

(The above requirements may also be used to fulfill general education requirements, or requirements for a minor or second major.)

Students must complete at least 66 credit hours of non-CSIT courses.

B. Software Development (SD) Track - 54-56 credit hours:

This track emphasizes computer systems development, design and architecture. It prepares graduates for systems-level programming, and for careers in system design, ensembles, architecture, and networking. The majority of course work is in the area of Computer Systems Software.

The SS Track requires the CS Core, plus:

Four additional computer science courses must be taken from at least 3 different areas. At least three courses must be at the 400 level:

1. Computer Architecture and Systems Software

2. Database and Information Systems

3. Theoretical Foundations

4. Languages and Applications

Courses from the following list may be taken as CS electives; they do not count in any of the above areas: CSIT 490 Seminar on Selected Topics, CSIT 496 Special Topics, CSIT 497 Thesis, CSIT 499 Senior Project, CSIT 300 Internship, CSIT 291 Special Topics, CSIT 390 Directed Study, CSIT 400 Directed Independent Study.

C. General Track (GT) - 54-56 credit hours:

This track is designed to provide students with exposure to a significant range of topics within the computer science field, while at the same time ensuring their ability to select those courses that most interest them.

Specifically, the GT track requires the CS Core, plus:

Seven additional electives must be taken from at least 3 different areas. At least three courses must be at the 400 level:

1. Computer Architecture and Systems Software

2. Database and Information Systems

3. Theoretical Foundations

4. Languages and Applications

Courses from the following list may be taken as CS electives; they do not count in any of the above areas: CSIT 490 Seminar on Selected Topics, CSIT 496 Special Topics, CSIT 497 Thesis, CSIT 499 Senior Project, CSIT 300 Internship, CSIT 291 Special Topics, CSIT 201 Computer Security and Ethics, CSIT 390 Directed Study, CSIT 400 Directed Independent Study.

Students may double major in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems by completing all requirements for both majors; the student is required to take at least 15 additional credit hours in the second major (credit hours from courses within the list of courses of the second major not used to satisfy requirements in the first major).