Computer Science (CSC) Major

Requirements for Computer Science Major

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

System General Education Requirements*: 33

• Goal #1 Written Communication:
  ENGL 101
    and
  ENGL 277
    Credits: 6
• Goal #2 Oral Communication:
  SPCM 101*
    Credits: 3
• Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity  Credits: 6
• Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity  Credits: 6
• Goal #5 Mathematics:
  MATH 123
    Credits: 4
• Goal #6 Natural Sciences):
  PHYS 111-111L
    and
  PHYS 113-113L
    Credits: 8
  OR 
  PHYS 211-211L
    and
  PHYS 213-213L
    Credits: 8
  OR
  CHEM 112-112L
    and
  CHEM 114-114L
    Credits: 8
  OR
  BIOL 153-153L
    and
  BIOL 151-151L
    Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements:** 5

• IGR Goal #1 First Year Experience
  GE 109-109L**
    Credits: 2
• IGR Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility  Credits: 3

Major Requirements: 45

• CSC 150-150L - Computer Science I (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 250 - Computer Science II (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 300 - Data Structures (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 314 - Assembly Language (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 317 - Computer Organization and Architecture (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 346 - Object Oriented Programming (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 354 - Introduction to Systems Programming Credits: 3
• CSC 445 - Introduction to Theory of Computation (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 303 - Ethical and Security Issues in Computing (G) Credits: 2
• CSC 446 - Compiler Construction Credits: 3
• CSC 456 - Operating Systems (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 461 - Programming Languages (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 470 - Software Engineering (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 484 - Database Management Systems (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 485 - Software Engineering II (AW) Credits: 3

Supporting Coursework: 27

• MATH 125 - Calculus II * (COM)
    Credits: 4
• MATH 253 - Logic, Sets, and Proof
    Credits: 3
• MATH 215 - Matrix Algebra
    Credits: 2
• MATH 316 - Discrete Mathematics (COM)
    Credits: 3
• MATH 374 - Scientific Computation I
    Credits: 3
• EE 245-245L - Digital Systems and Lab
    Credits: 4
• STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM)
    Credits: 3
• Natural Science (Credits: 4)
  
  PHYS 111-111L
    and 
  PHYS 113-113L
   
  or 
  PHYS 211-211L
     and
  PHYS 213-213L
   
  or
  CHEM 112-112L
    and
  CHEM 114-114L
    
  or
  BIOL 151-151L
    and
  BIOL 153-153L
   

Electives: 12

• Applied electives credits from courses numbered 300 or above.
• At least 9 of the credits from CSC and SE courses.
• The rest may be from a support discipline and must support a coherent field of study.

Total Required Credits: 120

Computer Networking Emphasis:

The Computer Science Program offers an emphasis in computer networking. Student interested in Computer Networking Emphasis should take the courses below. This emphasis deals with the hardware and software issues in running a computer system. All ET courses have both lecture and laboratory components, so as the theory is taught, it is immediately reinforced with hands-on lab experience. The student starts with Electricity and Electronics course, which covers topics from basic electronics and microprocessors. This leads to the Computer Systems course, which specifically deals with the electronic hardware side of computers, and also with basic PC set-up software. Finally, there is a 2-semester sequence in the study of personal computer systems, networking, and data communications from a software and management point of view, concentrating on Intel-type personal computers.

Current Microsoft and Novell software systems are installed and explored by the students. This course of study is designed to prepare students to work with the installation of new systems, and the maintenance of existing Local-Area-Networks (LANs), looking at both hardware and software issues. An emphasis is placed on the complete system, including management of the system and the people and information involved. Students interested in Networking Emphasis should take the following courses:

• CSC 474/574 - Computer Networks Credits: 3
• ET 252-252L - Electricity and Electronics II and Lab Credits: 3
• ET 370-370L - Computer Systems and Lab Credits: 4
• ET 472-472L - Networking I and Lab Credits: 4
• ET 474-474L - Networking II and Lab Credits: 4

Game Programming Emphasis:

The Computer Science program offers an emphasis in game programming. This emphasis deals with a wide range of both hardware and software related topics relating to game development. The Game Programming course will provide the students with an understanding of some of the tools used in game development such as C/C++, DirectX and OpenGL. The Artificial Intelligence course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how games can make effective decisions based upon the current game state. The Computer Networks course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how to deal with multiplayer LAN and WAN based games. The Microcontroller Systems Design course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how to communicate with the microcontrollers found inside of console and handheld gaming systems. The Embedded Systems Programming course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow students to understand how to develop games for console and handheld gaming systems. Students interested in the Game Programming Emphasis are encouraged to take courses from the list of elective courses below.  

• CSC 450/550 - Game Programming Credits: 3
• CSC 447/547 - Artificial Intelligence (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 474/574 - Computer Networks Credits: 3
• EE 347-347L - Microcontroller Systems Design and Lab Credits: 3
• SE 440 - Embedded Systems Credits: 3

Information Technology Management Emphasis:

Information is one of the most important assets of any organization. The use of the computer and software in the current Information Age requires business to employ individuals savvy in producing, manipulating, and analyzing data. Business leaders understand that management of the organizational information systems must be entrusted to a competent and knowledgeable person. Students interested in Information Technology Management Emphasis should take courses:

• CSC 205 - Advanced Computer Applications (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 325 - Management Information Systems (COM) Credits: 3
• CSC 474/574 - Computer Networks Credits: 3
• CSC 484 - Database Management Systems (COM) Credits: 3

Software Engineering Emphasis:

The Computer Science Program offers an emphasis in Software Engineering. This emphasis deals with the engineering design aspects of software such as quality control, software assurance, requirements and specifications as well as the human-machine interface. Students interested in the Software Engineering Emphasis should take the courses below.

• SE 320 - Software Requirements and Formal Specifications (AW) Credits: 3
• SE 330 - Human Factors and User Interface (G) Credits: 3
• SE 410 - Software Test and Quality Assurance Credits: 3
• SE 440 - Embedded Systems Credits: 3

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs).

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.