Computer Science

Technology develops at a breakneck speed. That’s good news for computer science students. Why? Because you’ll help find solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, including national security and environmental and energy issues. It can also give you a foot in the door of the booming gaming industry. You’ll focus your studies by choosing a concentration in Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and Graphics, or work with faculty to design your own specialized focus. Then you’ll take core courses in security, animation, bioinformatics, ethics, and programming, among others. Our department faculty members have many years of experience in computer science and have active, funded research programs (which frequently include student assistance). The CS major will provide students with the opportunity to study a technically-oriented discipline.

There is no requirement for Computer Science (CS) students to have their own computer. However, most CS students find that having one is convenient and almost essential. For CS students who do not own a computer, there are computer facilities on campus and computers can also be checked out. The CS Program does not require a particular computer platform. However, since the majority of software development in the industry is done using the Windows and Linux platforms, the Windows platform is recommended.

View Computer Science Computer Recommendations

Windows Laptops:	Minimum	Preferred
CPU	i5 processor	i7 or higher processor
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
STORAGE	500 GB	1 TB
DISPLAY	13 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution	15 inch or greater 2560×1440 or greater resolution
GRAPHICS	Integrated	GPU with at least 4 GB memory
OS VERSION	Windows 10	Windows 11
OTHER	Webcam 1 USB 2.0 or 3.0 port	Webcam 1 USB 3.0 port 3 button wireless mouse

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Apple Laptops:	Minimum	Preferred
DISPLAY	13 inch	16 inch
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
SSD STORAGE	512 GB	1 TB
OS VERSION	macOS 10.15+	macOS 11+
OTHER		1 USB 3.0 port 3 button wireless mouse

Course Requirement Definitions:
Elective Requirement: Additional courses necessary to earn enough credits for a degree outside of Major and STAGE requirements.
First Year Seminar (FYS): Introductory course to the academic experience, emphasizing the skills necessary for academic success.
Major Requirement: Courses are core to this major and are subject matter-specific.
Stage Requirement: Courses are part of our STAGE General Education program, and must be taken to earn a degree. Learn more here>

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Fall One – first year

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 101	Computational Thinking Major Requirement	3 CR
MATH 120	Statistics Major Requirement	3 CR
SCIENCE	ASTR, BIO, CHEM, FS, KIN, PHY, or SCI Major Requirement	3 CR
FYS 101	First Year Seminar Stage Requirement	3 CR
STAC 101	Stage Requirement	1 CR
WRT 101	Academic Writing I Stage Requirement	3 CR
		16 FALL CREDITS

Spring One – first year

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 150	Computer Science I Major Requirement	3 CR
MATH 109	Applied Calculus Major Requirement	3 CR
SCIENCE	ASTR, BIO, CHEM, FS, KIN, PHY, or SCI Major Requirement	3 CR
WRT 102	Academic Writing II Stage Requirement	3 CR
Breadth & Proficiency 1	Stage Requirement	3 CR
STAC 102	Elective Requirement	1 CR
		16 SPRING CREDITS

Fall Two – sophomore

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 250	Computer Science II Major Requirement	3 CR
MATH 308	Discrete Math Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 270	Computer Architecture Major Requirement	3 CR
Breadth & Proficiency 2	Stage Requirement	3 CR
Breadth & Proficiency 3	Stage Requirement	3 CR
STAC 201	Elective Requirement	1 CR
		16 FALL CREDITS

Spring Two – sophomore

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 350	Data Structures & Algorithm Analysis Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 360	Human-Computer Interaction Major Requirement	3 CR
CS Elective	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Breadth & Proficiency 4	Stage Requirement	3 CR
		15 SPRING CREDITS

Fall Three – junior

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 420	Database Management Systems Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 435	Operating Systems Major Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Breadth & Proficiency 5	Stage Requirement	3 CR
		15 FALL CREDITS

Spring Three – junior

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 320	Ethics in a Technological Society Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 380	Networking Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 485	Web Programming Major Requirement	3 CR
CS Elective	Major Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
		15 SPRING CREDITS

Fall Four – senior

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS Elective	Major Requirement	3 CR
CS Elective	Major Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Major Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Gateway 1	Stage Requirement	3 CR
		15 FALL CREDITS

Spring Four – senior

Course Code	Course Name	Credits
CS 450	Software Engineering Major Requirement	3 CR
CS 490	Senior Project Major Requirement	3 CR
CS Elective	Major Requirement	3 CR
Free Elective / Minor	Elective Requirement	3 CR
Gateway 2	Stage Requirement	3 CR
		15 SPRING CREDITS