MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

The undergraduate curriculum provides students with a background in the basic sciences, and the theory, architecture, and application of computers within the context of a liberal education. This program allows maximum flexibility in preparation for a career in industrial computer science, entering professional schools such as law, medicine, or accounting, or preparation for graduate school in computer science or fields where computer science is helpful (such as mathematics, physics, or linguistics). This list is suggestive and not exhaustive since new applications for computers occur regularly.

There is much leeway for students in their junior and senior years in computer science to choose a course of study tailored to their interest. Opportunities exist to pursue independent research projects under faculty supervision. Students are encouraged to begin such research early in their upper division studies.

Notes

--Graduation requirements are subject to change. A student can be held for any changes in requirements in years not completed except if such changes would extend the time normally required to complete the degree.

--Special study or practicum courses may not be used to meet any requirements other than total credits toward graduation. Such courses may apply, of course, toward the University upper division credit requirements.

--No transfer credit from another institution will be given for a course in which a grade of D or less was received.

--Students are discouraged from taking an overload. Only students with sophomore or above status, who have an overall 3.5 GPA or better, and a 3.5 GPA or better in computer science courses, will be permitted to take an overload. This rule applies to graduating seniors.

--A waiver mechanism exists to permit acceptance of equivalent courses to meet requirements, and to recognize other exceptional circumstances. Students should consult the key advisor before taking a substitute course if they believe waivers are appropriate.

Recommended Sequence of Courses*

(Note: this is only one of many possible combinations)

Feshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year
CO150 - 3 CS200 - 4 CS301 - 4 Group I's - 16
CS151 - 4 CS201 - 4 CS314 - 4 Group II course - 3
CS155 - 4 CS253 - 4 CS370 - 4 Electives - 13
M229 - 1 Natural Sciences - 8 ST301 or 309 - 3
M160 - 4 Social Sciences - 3 Group II's - 6
M161 - 4 Electives - 9 Communications - 3
Phys. Ed. - 2 Electives - 5
Social Sciences - 3 Humanities - 3
Humanities - 3
Natural Sciences - 4
Total - 32 Total - 32 Total - 32 Total - 32

The 27-28 semester credits of electives in this program should be viewed by the student as an opportunity to tailor a program to specific educational objectives. By wise choice of electives, a student may complete a second major, obtain a minor in a supporting area, or achieve a broad, liberal education.

Course Requirements for a B.S. Degree in Computer Science (120 hrs.)

42 hours numbered 300 or above (40 normally obtained from the major) of which 30 were taken at CSU.

1. University Studies:

I. Logic and Critical Thinking

  • A. CO150 College Composition* 3

  • B. M160 Calculus for Physical Scientists I*# 4

  • C. CS151 Intro. to C++ Programming* 4

  • D. Communications or Public Speaking 3

    • II. A, B Natural Sciences 12

    III. A. Arts and Humanities 6

    IV. A. Behavioral and Social Sciences 6

    V. Exercise and Sport Science 2

    VI. Cross Cultural Course 3

    Total Credits (40)

    NOTE: All students matriculating after summer 1993 must take a cross-cultural course as one of their USP courses or as a separate course - see catalog or schedule for list.

    2. Computer Science Courses:*

  • CS155 Computer Organization 4

  • CS200 Algorithms & Data Structure 4

  • CS201 Discrete Structures 4

  • CS253 Comparative Programming Languages 4

  • CS301 Foundations of Computer Science 4

  • CS314 Software Engineering 4

  • CS370 Systems Software 4

  • Four Group I courses 16

    • Total Credits (44)

    3. Technical Electives:*

    M229 Matrices and Linear Equations for Physical Scientists 1

  • M161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II 4

  • ST301 Statistical Methods or ST309 Engineering Statistics 3

  • Three Group II courses 9-12

    • Total Credits (19-22)

    4. Free Electives:

  • Additional credits to make a total of 128 credits:

    • Note: Of the total 128 credits needed for graduation 45 credits must be upper division, of which 40 will be normally be earned in requirements.

    University Studies Requirements

    These are all-University requirements--Note: Departmental requirements in the Natural Sciences exceed the University minimum and use the following restricted list:

    I. D. Communications:

    Any course on the approved list of courses for University Studies. The Dept. recommends JT300, "Scientific Writing," which also counts as a group II.

    II. A. Natural Sciences:

    A minimum of seven (7) credits from two different Departments selected from the A list below (at least one course must have a laboratory [marked with an "L" below]):

  • SC330 Principles of Genetics

  • B120 (L) Principles of Plant Biology

  • BY102 (L) Attributes of Living Systems

  • C111 (C112 L) General Chemistry I

  • ER140 (L) Physical Geology

  • PH141 (L) Physics for Scientists and Engineers I

  • Z110 (L) Principles of Animal Biology

    • B. An additional five (5) credits must be taken from the A list above or the following B list:

  • AA301 (L) Astro Physics I

  • AA302 Astro Physics II

  • AA303 Astro Physics III

  • AT350 Introduction to Weather and Climate

  • AT440 Meteorology

  • BY220 Ecology

  • BY310 (L) Cell Biology

  • C113 (C114 L) General Chemistry II

  • CE260 (L) Engineering Mechanics: Statics

  • CH201 Material and Energy Balances

  • EE201 (L) Circuit Theory

  • ER154 (L) Historical and Analytical Geology

  • ME237 (L) Introduction to Thermal Sciences

  • ME331 (L) Introduction to Engineering Materials

  • ME431 Metals and Alloys

  • ME470 Engineering and Living Systems

  • PH142 (L) Physics for Scientists and Engineers II

  • PY352 (PY353 L) Psychology of Learning

  • Z346 Evolution and Heredity

    • III. A. Humanities:

    Any two courses from the approved list for University Studies, from two different departments.

    IV. A. Social Sciences:

    Any course on the approved list for University Studies.

    A minimum of two Departments must be chosen.

    V. A. Exercise and Sport Science:

    Any course on the approved list of University Studies.

    VI. A. Cross-Cultural Requirement:

    Any course on the approved list of University Studies.

    Approved List of Group I Courses

    (Advanced Computer Science)

    Course Course Course Course
    CS410 CS430 CS453 CS475
    CS414 CS440 CS457 CS480
    CS420 CS451 CS470

    Approved List of Group II Courses

    (Supporting Courses)

    Course Course Course Course Course Course
    BD340 EE312 JT300 M369 NR422 PL305F
    BD345 EE331 M301 M400A-D NR423 PL410
    BD355 EE332 M317 M417 PH314 PL415
    BD360 EE341 M331 M419 PH315 ST302
    BD405 EE411 M332 M460 PH325 ST/EE303
    BD460 EE412 M335 M466 PH341 ST304
    EE421 M340 M470 PH353 ST305
    E320A,D EE441 M350 ME307 PH361 ST375
    EE444 M351 NR322 ST420
    EE311 EE452 M366 NR323 ST430

    Notes

  • 500 level courses in a specific category (e. g., Group I or Group II) may be substituted in that category with prior approval from the key advisor.

  • Computer Science majors who are juniors or better need not take prerequisites for BD group II courses.

  • Computer Science majors need not take the EG101 or CE261 prerequisites for EE group II courses.

  • The preferred order for taking ST302 and ST304 is to take ST304 first.

  • The courses from Computer Science Group I and Group II should be selected carefully with concurrence of your advisor. Plan your upper division schedule as an integrated program.