Computer Science, B.S.

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Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

The bachelor’s degree in computer science prepares students for careers in the computing industry or for graduate study. Combined with a minor in another field of study, the bachelor’s degree allows students to utilize their computing expertise in a variety of specialized fields. The core and computer science theory courses are excellent preparation for students who intend to pursue an advanced degree in computer science.

For the computer science major, the department offers courses that represent both the core of study considered essential to all aspects of computing and advanced study sequences in particular fields of interest. The core classes introduce all majors to the spectrum of thought represented in computing. The advanced sequences allow the individual student to pursue concentrated work within such areas as computer architecture, artificial intelligence, databases, compilers, operating systems, computer science theory, computer graphics, software engineering, programming languages, networking, distributed systems, and parallel processing. The department also offers topics courses to keep students informed of current advances and methods in computing.

In addition to courses designed for majors, the department offers courses intended to introduce computing to nonmajors. These courses will benefit any major who wishes to include computing in their undergraduate study.

Grade Requirements

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade. All courses required as prerequisites for a course must be completed with a grade of C or better before registration will be permitted.

Administrative Academic Probation

A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in all courses taken in the College of Science and Mathematics. Students who fail to maintain a 2.0 GPA in courses within their major may be placed on administrative academic probation. Failure to eliminate the grade point deficiency could result in disqualification from the College of Science and Mathematics.

Major Requirements (56 units)

CSCI 40 - Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving Units: 4
CSCI 41 - Introduction to Data Structures Units: 4
CSCI 60 - Foundations of Computer Science Units: 3
CSCI 80 - Introduction to Computer Systems Units: 3
CSCI 113 - Introduction to Computer Organization Units: 4
CSCI 114 - Introduction to Operating Systems Units: 3
CSCI 115 - Algorithms and Data Structures Units: 4
CSCI 117 - Structures of Programming Languages Units: 4
CSCI 119 - Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata Units: 3

Additional Requirements (16 units)

MATH 75 - Calculus I Units: 4 (Area B4)
MATH 76 - Calculus II Units: 4
PHYS 2A - General Physics Units: 4 (Area B1)
AND
PHYS 2B - General Physics Units: 4
OR
PHYS 4A - Mechanics and Wave Motion Units: 3
(Area B1)
PHYS 4AL - Laboratory in Mechanics and Wave Motion Units: 1 (Area B1)
PHYS 4B - Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat Units: 3
AND
PHYS 4BL - Laboratory in Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat Units: 1

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
General Education Requirements (48 units)
Multicultural and International (MI) - Computer Science majors are exempt from the MI requirement.
Upper-division Writing
Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total: 120 Units*

*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. These courses include MATH 75 (Area B4), and PHYS 2A or PHYS 4A and PHYS 4AL (Area B1) are used to satisfy the General Education requirements.