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.

  1. Departmental Requirements (50-53 cr. for BS; 41-44 cr. for BA)
    1. 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
    2. CSC 119 (1 cr.) Introduction to UNIX/Linux
    3. CSC 217 (3 cr.) Discrete Math with Computer Applications I — recommended
      or MAT 361 (3 cr.) Probability and Statistics (for double majors)
    4. CSC 221 (3 cr.) Introduction to Programming
    5. CSC 223 (3 cr.) Data Structures and Algorithms
    6. CSC 309 (1 cr.) Programming Language C
    7. CSC 318 (3 cr.) Discrete Math with Computer Applications II — recommended
      or MAT 231 (3 cr.) Sets, Functions and Relations (for double majors)
    8. CSC 319 (3 cr.) Object-Oriented Design and Programming
    9. CSC 321 (3 cr.) Design and Analysis of Algorithms
    10. CSC 333 (3 cr.) Computer Organization
    11. CSC 336 (3 cr.) Software Engineering I
    12. CSC 372 (3 cr.) Ethics in the Age of Technology and Information
    13. CSC 422 (3 cr.) Theory of Computation
    14. CSC 433 (3 cr.) Operating Systems
    15. CSC 446 (3 cr.) Software Design Studio
    16. 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.
  2. Cognate Requirements (11-18 cr.)
    1. Communication Elective (3 cr.) — select one course:
      • CMM 101 (3 cr.) Introduction to Public Speaking — recommended
      • an additional AWR course other than CSC 372 (for double majors).
    2. 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.)
    3. Calculus with Trigonometry (5 cr.):
            MAT 104 (1 cr.) Trigonometry and
            MAT 224 (4 cr.) Calculus I
    4. Mathematics Elective (3-4 cr.) — select one course:
      • MAT 202 (3 cr.) Linear Algebra — recommended
      • MAT 225 (4 cr.) Calculus II
  3. Additional Requirements
    1. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in courses taken under the Departmental Requirements above.
    2. A grade of C or better in CSC 221 and CSC 223.

NOTES

  1. Some courses or tests need to be taken early during the studies.
    • 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.
    • In order to try computer programming and to strengthen such background, before enrolling in CSC 221 consider taking (optionally) CSC 121/122/123.
    • 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.
  2. The degree is awarded after completing all the college requirements and obtaining a total of 120 credits.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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/

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