Computer Science
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The computer science major is designed to prepare students for graduate work in computer science and for a variety of careers in computer science-related fields in government, business or industry.
All students are expected to learn methods and techniques of problem solving, to develop a facility in the expression of problem solutions as computer algorithms and programs and to become acquainted with the major areas of current interest and importance in computer science.
The computer science minor is designed for all interested students, but it is particularly suited for students majoring in mathematics, any of the sciences, economics, psychology, sociology or various special areas such as digital imaging (in the art major), as well as for students interested in pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching Program after graduation. The minor will introduce the student to programming, algorithms, data structures and computer architecture, as well as some more advanced aspects of computer science.
Learning Outcomes
- Be prepared for ever-changing technology through an understanding of the fundamental principles of the discipline
- Have a working understanding of at least three sub-disciplines
- Be able to develop moderately complex software applications as an individual
- Be able to develop complex software applications as part of a team
- Be able to form an expert opinion on a problem based on information gathered, critical thinking and their experiences
- Be able to effectively communicate their expert opinion through written and oral presentations of all forms
- Be able to apply other modes of thought and effectively communicate with others who have those as their primary mode of thought
Degree Requirements for the Computer Science Major
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major
Required Courses (32 credit hours)
- COSC 120: Introduction to Computer Science I
- COSC 130: Introduction to Computer Science II
- MATH 151: Calculus I
- MATH 152: Calculus II
- MATH 200: Discrete Mathematics (or MATH 281: Foundations of Mathematics)
- COSC 201: Algorithms and Data Structures
- COSC 230: Computer Architecture
- COSC 251: Programming Languages
Elective Courses (20 credit hours)
Five of the following courses:
- COSC 301: Software Engineering I
- COSC 335: Operating Systems
- COSC 336: Computer Networks
- COSC 338: Computer Graphics
- COSC 370: Artificial Intelligence
- COSC 420: Distributed and Parallel Computing
- COSC 438: Game Design and Development
- COSC 440: Theory of Computation
- COSC 445: Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- COSC 450: Database Management Systems
- COSC 455: Graph Theory
- COSC 480: Topics in Computer Science
Capstone Experience
- St. Mary’s Project (8 credit hours)*
- One 400-level computer science course** and a Senior Project in Computer Science COSC 495 (4 credit hours)
- Two 400-level computer science courses**
The requirement may also be satisfied by completing a St. Mary’s Project in another area. If a student wishes to do a project in another area, the approval of the department must be secured in advance.
** Excluding COSC 499 and courses counted as elective courses
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses required for the major and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.
Recommendations
Certain upper-level computer science positions in government require 15 credit hours of mathematics (including calculus and statistics); we recommend MATH 200, MATH 151, MATH 152, and MATH 221 (Intro to Statistics).” Striking the “Admission to a graduate program in computer science may require MATH 151 (Calculus I).
Degree Requirements for the Computer Science Minor
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
- COSC 120: Introduction to Computer Science I
- COSC 130: Introduction to Computer Science II
- COSC 201: Algorithms and Data Structures
Elective Courses (12 credit hours)
Three of the following courses:
- MATH 200: Discrete Mathematics (or MATH 281: Foundation of Mathematics)
- COSC 251: Programming Languages
- COSC 301: Software Engineering I
- COSC 335: Operating Systems
- COSC 336: Computer Networks
- COSC 338: Computer Graphics
- COSC 370: Artificial Intelligence
- COSC 420: Distributed and Parallel Computing
- COSC 438: Game Design and Development
- COSC 440: Theory of Computation
- COSC 445: Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- COSC 450: Database Management Systems
- COSC 455: Graph Theory
- COSC 480: Topics in Computer Science
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Students must complete the required 24 credit hours, earn a grade of C- or better in each course taken to fulfill the minor, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.
Faculty
Casey Douglas, Sandy Ganzell (department chair), Susan Goldstine, Alan Jamieson, Lindsay H. Jamieson, Robert Kelley, Emek Köse, David Kung, Alex Meadows, Simon Read, Ivan Sterling.