2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Apr 25, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Science (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Sungyong Jung, Department Head
McComish 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, 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.

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


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.