Computer Science (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Instructor and student sitting at a computer.

Program Coordinator/Contact

George Hamer, Acting Department Head
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Daktronics Engineering Hall 214
605-688-4526

Program Information

Computer Scientists play key roles in many walks of life in today’s society. Graduates of the program work in many different areas such as; application programmer, network designer, database administrator, information technologist, game development, and many others. CS related jobs are among the ten fastest growing careers that show a lot of promise and opportunity for growth.

Majors complete a core of basic computer science courses that includes the study of programming and algorithms, data structures, database concepts, computer architecture and organization, programming languages, compilers, operating systems, and software engineering. Important courses in closely related fields, e.g., discrete mathematics, digital logic design, scientific computation, and probability and statistics are also taken. Computer Science students are required to study all aspects of computing, including hardware, software, and theory.

The program begins the first year developing a strong foundation in programming, mathematics, and communication. Following this is another year of study in data structures and object oriented programming along with hardware-based courses that provides the student with a firm grasp of the interaction between hardware and software. The junior and senior years include courses that cover the breadth and depth of the field. Students will select a specialization and take technical electives in their chosen area. The capstone of the program is Senior Design I and II, a two-semester sequence taken in the senior year that places every student on a team that designs, builds, tests, and demonstrates a significant computer science/software engineering project. The projects are developed in collaboration with SDSU researchers or industry and provide students’ valuable “real world” team design experience.

Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification

The B.S. program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.

Course Delivery Format

A majority of the courses are taught on campus in smart classrooms. The smart classrooms allow for a variety of methods for student engagement and faculty are able to record and post their lectures on-line.

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate CS program educational objectives are to equip individuals, who after graduation and initial work experience, to

provide innovative and state-of-the-art approaches to solving complex technical problems through application of sound computer science principles and make high quality technical decisions based on accumulated knowledge, experience, wisdom and common sense.
create positive organizational impact through individual contribution and teamwork with a commitment to working with others of diverse culture and interdisciplinary backgrounds.
demonstrate professional stewardship and ethical responsibility and exemplify a productive member of society by serving their communities and society.
illustrate initiative and successful career growth through measurable and impactful contributions that strongly support the organization’s core high-level goals, accompanied by lifelong learning through graduate work, professional development, and self-study, leading to increases in organizational responsibility.

Student Outcomes

The program will enable students to attain, by the time of graduation:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Academic Requirements

Computer Science students must pass all CSC and SE courses with a grade of C or better. All graduating seniors are required to take the Major Field Test in Computer Science, which is given once per semester.

Requirements for Computer Science Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: INFO 102 - Data Ethics [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: Select one of the following

Major Requirements

CSC 100L - Introduction to Computer Science Lab Credits: 1
CSC 150 - Computer Science I (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 244 - Digital Logic Credits: 3, 1
CSC 244L - Digital Logic Lab Credits: 1
CSC 250 - Computer Science II (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 300 - Data Structures (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 303 - Ethical and Security Issues in Computing Credits: 3
CSC 314 - Assembly Language (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 317 - Computer Organization and Architecture (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 346 - Object Oriented Programming Credits: 3
CSC 354 - Introduction to Systems Programming Credits: 3
CSC 445 - Introduction to Theory of Computation (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 446 - Compiler Construction Credits: 3
CSC 456 - Operating Systems (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 461 - Programming Languages (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 464 - Senior Design I (COM) Credits: 2
CSC 465 - Senior Design II (COM) Credits: 2
CSC 484 - Database Management Systems (COM) Credits: 3
CSC 3/4XX Technical Electives Credits: 12
*A minimum of 9 of the 12 technical credits must be in approved CSC or SE courses.
*3 of the 12 credits may come from a departmental approved support area.
SE 305 - Foundations of Software Engineering Credits: 3
SE 306 - Software Project Management and Testing Credits: 3

Supporting Coursework

GE 101 - Introduction to Engineering and Technical Professions Credits: 1
MATH 125 - Calculus II (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 4
MATH 250 - Introduction to Linear Algebra and Proof Credits: 3
MATH 316 - Discrete Mathematics (COM) Credits: 3
MATH 374 - Scientific Computation I Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
Natural Science (Different course than SGR #6)
PHYS 111 - Introduction to Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 111L - Introduction to Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or PHYS 207 - Fundamentals of Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 207L - Fundamentals of Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3

and CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or
BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4

and BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 0

Total Required Credits: 120

Cooperative Education

Students have the opportunity to work in industry and receive technical elective credit for the experience through CSC 494 Internship. A formal work plan must be approved by the Computer Science administration prior to the work experience. Further information can be found in the Program’s Internship and Cooperative Education policy, located on the program’s website.

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	33 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	66 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	21 Credit Hours
Electives**	0 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.