The Specifics
Major in Computer Science
The major in computer science approaches the discipline in four ways: 1) the programmatic approach (the linguist's view); 2) the problem-solving approach (the mathematician's view); 3) the architectural approach (the engineer's view); and 4) the industrial approach (the business view). Each student should graduate with a thorough understanding of how to program a computer, how to solve problems using a computer, how the computer internally accomplishes its assigned tasks, and how industry generally creates, maintains and uses computer software.
Requirements (Note: see the PC course catalog for an official listing)
The major requires a total of 42 hours consisting of seven core CSC courses (totaling 23 hours), three CSC electives numbered 300 or above (totaling 9 hours), and three math courses (totaling 10 hours).
The required core courses are as follows (credit hours in brackets):
CSC 241 (Program Design I) [4]
CSC 242 (Program Design II) [4]
CSC 311 (Computer Organization) [3]
CSC 336 (Algorithms and Data Structures) [4]
CSC 411 (Operating Systems) [4]
CSC 425 (Software Development I) [2]
CSC 426 (Software Development II) [2]
Math courses are required from each of the following three groups (credit hours in brackets):
One semester of Calculus (either MATH 201 or 211*) [3]
Discrete Mathematics (MATH 208) or Transition (MATH 221**) [3]
One 4-hour math elective chosen from the following: STAT 319 (Business Department: Introductory Statistics) or STAT 320 (Psychology Department: Research Statistics) [4]
* Note: MATH 211 is really 201 and 202 combined into one semester and, as such, is more appropriate than 201 for those requiring only one semester of Calculus.
** Note: MATH 221 is available for those majoring or minoring in MATH. Apart from those groups, MATH 208 is the best fit.
Clic k here for a possible course sequence for fulfilling the requirements for a major in computer science.
Visit campus
Call our office at 1-800-960-7583. An admissions counselor will be glad to help you arrange a visit and meet with faculty, sit in on a class, or stay overnight in a dorm.
Email or call for more information - we look forward to hearing from you!