Computer Science Major, BS or BA
Two variants are available:
Curriculum 782 Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science total credits for the major: 61-71;
Curriculum 781 Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science total credits for the major: 52-62.
The BS variant is recommended; it requires 9 more credits in elective 300/400-level CSC courses.
- Departmental Requirements (50-53 cr. for BS; 41-44 cr. for BA)
- Computing Prerequisites (0-3 cr.) One of the following, by advisement:
- Familiarity with simple programming (0 cr.)
- CSC 121 (3 cr.) Introduction to Computing and the Web
- CSC 122 (3 cr.) Physical Computing
- CSC 123 (3 cr.) Scientific Simulation and Modeling
- CSC 124 (3 cr.) Communicating Data, with Deviation Form
- CSC 119 (1 cr.) Introduction to UNIX/Linux
- CSC 217 (3 cr.) Discrete Math with Computer Applications I recommended
or MAT 361 (3 cr.) Probability and Statistics (for double majors)
- CSC 221 (3 cr.) Introduction to Programming
- CSC 223 (3 cr.) Data Structures and Algorithms
- CSC 309 (1 cr.) Programming Language C
- CSC 318 (3 cr.) Discrete Math with Computer Applications II recommended
or MAT 231 (3 cr.) Sets, Functions and Relations (for double majors)
- CSC 319 (3 cr.) Object-Oriented Design and Programming
- CSC 321 (3 cr.) Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- CSC 333 (3 cr.) Computer Organization
- CSC 336 (3 cr.) Software Engineering I
- CSC 372 (3 cr.) Ethics in the Age of Technology and Information
- CSC 422 (3 cr.) Theory of Computation
- CSC 433 (3 cr.) Operating Systems
- CSC 446 (3 cr.) Software Design Studio
- Electives, in different versions for BA and BS.
- For BA, select three credits in any 300/400-level CSC courses.
- For BS, select twelve credits in 300/400-level CSC courses
with the following restrictions:
only 3 credits in CSC 310 Perl or CSC 311/312/313 Computer Language can be counted;
only 3 credits in CSC 436 Software Engineering II can be counted;
only 3 credits in CSC 496 Teaching Assistantship can be counted;
only 3 credits in CSC 497 Computing Practicum or CSC 498 Internship can be counted.
- Cognate Requirements (11-18 cr.)
- Communication Elective (3 cr.) select one course:
- CMM 101 (3 cr.) Introduction to Public Speaking recommended
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an additional AWR course other than CSC 372 (for double majors).
- Mathematics Prerequisites/Placement (0-6 cr.):
MAT 101 (3 cr) Elementary College Mathematics or higher Math Placement (0 cr.) and
MAT 102 (3 cr.) Precalculus or Calculus Readiness Test (0 cr.)
- Calculus with Trigonometry (5 cr.):
MAT 104 (1 cr.) Trigonometry and
MAT 224 (4 cr.) Calculus I
- Mathematics Elective (3-4 cr.) select one course:
- MAT 202 (3 cr.) Linear Algebra recommended
- MAT 225 (4 cr.) Calculus II
Additional Requirements
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in courses taken under the Departmental Requirements above.
- A grade of C or better in CSC 221 and CSC 223.
NOTES
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Some courses or tests need to be taken early during the studies.
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Passing Calculus Readiness Test or completing MAT 102 Precalculus with a grade of C or better are prerequisites for CSC 217 and CSC 221. Take the Calculus Readiness Test or MAT 102 early; if needed take MAT 101 before 102, according to the results of the Math Placement Test.
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In order to try computer programming and to strengthen such background, before enrolling in CSC 221 consider taking (optionally) CSC 121/122/123.
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The core courses, CSC 119, CSC 217 and CSC 221, should be taken early because almost all the remaining courses have these three as pre-requisites.
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The degree is awarded after completing all the college requirements and obtaining a total of 120 credits.
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About 33 credits are required in General Education courses, in specific categories. CMM 101, which is required for this major, will count as a Gen-Ed, and also CSC 217. Take ENG 101, LIB 200 and CMM 101 early, because they are prerequisites for CSC 372.
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45 upper-level credits are required (at the 300/400-level). The BS variant of the major will contribute 40 such credits; the BA variant 31 credits. A General Education course in Global Issues will contribute 3 more credits.
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60 liberal art credits are required for graduation with a BS, and the courses of the major and General Education courses will contribute significantly to completing this requirement.
The BA variant is typically taken as a second major, because it requires many additional courses to complete the 90 liberal arts credits required for a BA degree.
DISCLAIMER: This publication a general advising tool; the College Catalog from the year of your enrollment in the major should be consulted as the only official document specifying the requirements; see http://www.plattsburgh.edu/catalog/