Computer Science, BS

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General Requirements

The Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a minor in Computer Science for students majoring in other fields. The department also provides a concentration in Computer Engineering. Students can take courses in programming, databases, software engineering, computer networks, artificial intelligence, and many other areas, preparing them for industry certifications, careers in industry or government, or further academic pursuits. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours that fulfill university, college, and departmental requirements. The breakdown is as follows:

General Education Courses: 36 credit hours
College of Arts and Sciences Requirement: 3 credit hours in a foreign language
Diversity Requirement: 1 embedded course (within general education or major) that fulfills the diversity designation (3 credit hours are included in the general education total)
Required Computer Science Core Courses: 37 credit hours
Supportive Required Courses: 20-21 credit hours
Computer Science Electives (CPTR): 24 credit hours

University General Education Requirements (36 credit hours)

Core requirements

English composition (6 hrs)
Oral communication (3 hrs): CMAT 1130
Mathematics (3 credits) MATH 1200 - College Algebra or any 1000-level course with a number higher than Math 1200

General requirements

Humanities/Fine Arts (9 hrs); at least 3 hr Humanities and 3 hr Fine Arts
Social Sciences (9 hrs); in at least two different disciplines
Natural Sciences (6 hrs); 3 hr Physical Science and 3 hr Life Sciences, one of which must be a lab course

Note that the General Education requirement for Mathematics (3 hr) is embedded in the supportive courses for the Major (see below*).

College of Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements (3 credit hrs)

General Education
One course in a World Language (3 hrs)
One general education or major course carrying the diversity designation (embedded)

Specific Major Requirements (37 credit hours)

CPTR 1100 - Introduction to C++ Programming Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 1900 - Introduction to Computer Professions Credit Hours: 1
CPTR 2140 - Python Programming Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 2320 - Introduction to Applied Machine Learning Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3100 - Data Structures Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3500 - Int Operating Sys Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3700 - Commun/Cptr Ntwrks I Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4200 - Cptr Algorithms Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4220 - Prgrmmng Languages Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4400 - Computer Organization Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4600 - Intro Database Systm Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4800 - Software Engineering Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4950 - Computer Science Capstone Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4950 fulfills the capstone project requirement

Required Supportive Courses (20-21 credit hours)

Mathematics (17-18 credit hours)

MATH 1410 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
OR
MATH 1415 - Calc Life Sci I Credit Hours: 4
MATH 1420 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
MATH 1600 - Basic Prob/Statis I Credit Hours: 3
OR
MATH 4600 - Intro Statistics Credit Hours: 4
MATH 2200 - Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2800 - Discrete Mathematics Credit Hours: 3

Ethics

PHIL 2530 - Computer Ethics Credit Hours: 3

Elective Courses (23-24 credit hours)

Electives must be selected from CPTR or MATH with the departmental advisor’s approval. Courses in other disciplines can be taken with the approval of the Chair.

4-Year Plan

Student-centric Sequencing by Term (Degree Plan):
Consult with your academic advisor for support.

Fall Year 1

CPTR 1100 - Introduction to C++ Programming Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 1900 - Introduction to Computer Professions Credit Hours: 1
English Composition Course I Credit Hours: 3
MATH 1200 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3 or
MATH 1210 - College Alg & Trig Credit Hours: 3
Social Science / Diversity Course Credit Hours: 3

Spring Year 1

CPTR 2140 - Python Programming Credit Hours: 3
MATH 1410 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4 or
MATH 1415 - Calc Life Sci I Credit Hours: 4
English Composition Course II Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2800 - Discrete Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
Humanities Course Credit Hours: 3

Fall Year 2

CPTR 3100 - Data Structures Credit Hours: 3
MATH 1420 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
CPTR 2000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 2320 - Introduction to Applied Machine Learning Credit Hours: 3
Basic Speech Communication Course Credit Hours: 3

Spring Year 2

CPTR 3500 - Int Operating Sys Credit Hours: 3
CPTR Elective Course Credit Hours: 3
MATH 1600 - Basic Prob/Statis I Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
Social Science Course Credit Hours: 3

Fall Year 3

CPTR 4400 - Computer Organization Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 3000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 2
Biology (GenEd) Course Credit Hours: 3
Fine Arts Course Credit Hours: 3

Spring Year 3

CPTR 3700 - Commun/Cptr Ntwrks I Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4200 - Cptr Algorithms Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4600 - Intro Database Systm Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
Foreign Language I Credit Hours: 3

Fall Year 4

CPTR 4000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4220 - Prgrmmng Languages Credit Hours: 3
Social Science Course Credit Hours: 3
Physical Science (GenEd) Course Credit Hours: 3
PHIL 2530 - Computer Ethics Credit Hours: 3

Spring Year 4

CPTR 4800 - Software Engineering Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4000 Level Elective Credit Hours: 3
MATH 2200 - Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3
CPTR 4950 - Computer Science Capstone Credit Hours: 3
Humanities / Fine Arts Course Credit Hours: 3