Computer Science, B.S.

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

Select Eight of the Following - Including One or Two of the Sequences (24 units)

(See Advising Note 5)

The eight Computer Science elective course numbers fall between CSCI 124 and CSCI 198, excluding CSCI 190 and CSCI 194I.
Note: CSCI 191T max total 6 units.

Approved Sequences:

(See Advising Notes 1 and 2)

CSCI 126 - Database Systems Units: 3
AND
CSCI 130 - Web Programming Units: 3
CSCI 114 - Introduction to Operating Systems Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 146 - Systems Architecture Units: 3
OR
CSCI 148 - Systems Programming Units: 3
CSCI 150 - Introduction to Software Engineering Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 152E - Software Engineering Units: 3
CSCI 156 - Internetworking Systems and Protocols Units: 3
OR
ECE 146 - Computer Networks Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 159 - System and Cloud Security Units: 3
CSCI 157 - Computer Security Units: 3
AND
CSCI 158 - Applied Biometric Security Units: 3
CSCI 164 - Artificial Intelligence Programming Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 166 - Principles of Artificial Intelligence Units: 3
CSCI 172 - Computer Graphics Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 173 - Advanced Computer Graphics Units: 3
CSCI 176 - Parallel Processing Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 177 - Distributed Computer Systems Units: 3
CSCI 186 - Formal Languages and Automata Units: 3
AND THEN
CSCI 188 - Introduction to Computability 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.

Advising Notes

For an approved sequence with an “AND” between its two courses, students may takethese two courses in any order.
For an approved sequence with an “AND THEN” between its two courses, students must complete the first course with a C or better grade and then can take the second course. No credit received if taken out of order.
If students complete CSCI 114, CSCI 146, and CSCI 148, only one approved sequence willbe counted (either CSCI 114-CSCI 146 or CSCI 114-CSCI 148). The course not counted inthe approved sequence will be counted as a Computer Science elective.
CSCI 156 and ECE 146 are equivalent courses. Only one approved sequence from “CSCI156 - CSCI 159 OR ECE 146 - CSCI 159” will be counted.
For students who select one sequence only, one of the eight elective courses must be CSCI 195i - Computer Science Internship , CSCI 196S - Computer Science Service-Learning Senior Project , or CSCI 198 - Project .