Computer Science Major

Departmental information and a statement of philosophy for computer science can be found on the opening page of the curriculum section.

Computer Science Major Requirements (43 s.h.)

  1. Complete one of the following:
    • COSC 110Pm     Introduction to Computer Science (3)
    • COSC 115Pm     Scientific Programming (3)
  2. Complete all of the following:
    • COSC 130Pm  Data Structures (3)
    • COSC 220Pm  Software Design (3)
    • COSC 235Pm  Discrete Structures (3)
    • COSC 245Pm  Computer Organization and Architecture (4)
    • COSC 320P      Advanced Software Design (3)
    • COSC 330Pm  Algorithms (3)
    • COSC 385P      Mathematics/Computer Science Junior Seminar (2)
    • COSC 485P      Mathematics/Computer Science Senior Seminar (1)
    • MATH 131Pm  Calculus I (4)
    • 3 additional semester hours of MATH courses from MATH 105m or other MATH courses at the 132-level or above, excluding MATH 396I/397I
  3. Complete 11 s.h. of elective COSC courses at the 200-level or higher, excluding internships and practicums.
  4. Complete all requirements for the Communication Skills Endorsement

Communication skills endorsement

The department believes that it is essential that majors in computer science and mathematics are able to speak, read, and write satisfactorily within the discipline. As such, many courses throughout the major include activities that evaluate students' ability to communicate.

The department faculty meet annually to discuss and evaluate each major's communication skills. Students can expect to be evaluated at least once during each academic year. Students whose skills in one or more areas (speaking, reading, and writing) are not sufficient must work with her/his adviser to design an improvement plan.

The final evaluation of a student's communication skills occurs in MATH/COSC 385P Mathematics/Computer Science Junior Seminar (2) and MATH/COSC 485P Mathematics/Computer Science Senior Seminar (1). In these courses, students are required to give two oral presentations and write a paper covering the topic used in the second presentation. Reading, listening and research skills are also covered in these courses.

Typical sequence of major courses for the computer science major

Freshman year
COSC 110Pm Introduction to Computer Science
COSC 130Pm Data Structures
MATH 131Pm Calculus I

Sophomore year
COSC 220Pm Software Design
COSC 235Pm Discrete Structures or MATH 221Pm Foundations of Mathematics
COSC 245P Computer Organization and Architecture
COSC elective courses

Junior year
COSC 330Pm Algorithms
COSC 385P Mathematics/Computer Science Junior Seminar
COSC elective courses
Mathematics elective

Senior year
COSC 485P Mathematics/Computer Science Senior Seminar
COSC 320P Advanced Software Design
COSC elective courses