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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Computer Science (CSCI) Undergraduate Programs

139 ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING CENTER/(320) 308-4966
www.stcloudstate.edu/computerscience

The Department of Computer Science offers rigorous, technical programs in computer science.

Programs at a Glance

Degree programs

  • BS – Applied Computer Science
  • BS – Computer Science
  • Minor
    • Computer Science
    • Computer Algorithmics
    • Computer Organization and Programming
  • Minor (BES) – Computer Science

Program admission and performance requirements

Admission – Department and COSE

  • completion of at least 16 credits
  • 2.50 GPA or higher overall
  • completion MATH 221 and 273 and either CSCI 200 or 201
  • grade of “C” or better in each of the above courses

Early Admission – Department

  • completion 12 credits in the program
  • 3.50 GPA or higher in courses in the program
  • 3.00 GPA or higher overall

Academic Standing – Department

  • 2.50 GPA or higher  overall in courses in the program, including transferred courses
  • inclusion of all attempted courses in the above GPA
  • 2.50 GPA or higher overall
  • grade of "C" or better in all specifically-listed departmental prerequisite courses
  • grade of "C" or better in all courses applied toward a major or minor program.

University minimum requirements for bachelor’s degrees

  • 120 credits
  • 40 credits in General Education
  • 1 credit in PESS 122
  • 45 credits in upper-division (300-400) courses
  • 30 credits in residence at SCSU
  • 2.00 GPA overall, in major, and in minor (departments may set higher standards)

(See this section and the section on the College of Science and Engineering for more information.)

Chairperson: Ramnath Sarnath
Faculty: Anda, Fisher, Hamnes, Herath, Jha, Julstrom, Meichsner, Ramnath, Schoenberger

The Computer Science Department offers two majors: a 81- to 83-credit Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a 50-credit Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science. These programs offer students an introduction to the theoretical and practical foundations of computer science with emphases in data structures, computer architecture, operating systems, file processing, programming languages, and ethics in computing. Students may earn credits for supervised internship work in cooperation with regional industries when they have completed certain required computer science courses; however, internship credits do not apply toward satisfying requirements for the majors.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a specialized accrediting body. Since it follows the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) guidelines on curriculum, students completing this degree should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the main body of knowledge;
  • Understand and apply essential concepts, principles, and practices in the context of well-defined scenarios, showing judgment in the selection and application of tools and techniques;
  • Produce work involving problem identification, analysis, design and development of a system, along with appropriate documentation--the work must show some problem solving and evaluation skills drawing on some supporting evidence and demonstrate a requisite understanding of an appreciation for quality;
  • Demonstrate the ability to work as an individual under guidance and as a team member;
  • Identify appropriate practices within a professional, legal and ethical framework;
  • Appreciate the need for continuing professional development.

The high school student considering computer science should take college preparatory courses. These courses should develop the ability to think logically, to analyze, and to organize. Courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, mathematics, and the sciences are of great benefit.

The first programming course, CSCI 200, does not require programming or other computer-related experience. Intended majors who have the equivalent of a semester of introductory programming and some knowledge of Boolean logic can start with CSCI 201. Other students are advised to start with CSCI 200, where they will learn these elements of computation. However, all students are required to have a proper mathematical background. The computer science curriculum contains mathematics courses which provide the mathematical expertise essential to the computer scientist. Students who want to complete their degree in four years must begin taking these courses in their first semester at SCSU.

Transfer students should complete the required calculus and science courses prior to transferring. The department will evaluate previous computer course work and may arrange for possible advanced placement in the CSCI courses.

            REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING THE MAJOR

Before applying for a major or minor program, each student must:

a) complete MATH 221-Calculus & Analytical Geometry I, MATH 273-Discrete Mathematics I, and either CSCI 200-Elements of Computing or

    CSCI 201- Computer Science I, with a grade of C or better;

b) earn a GPA of at least 2.50 in all courses required for the program, including transfer courses; and

c) earn an overall GPA of 2.50 or better.

While in the major or minor program, students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.50, both overall and in courses required for the major. If a student retakes courses in the major, the GPA is computed based on all attempts. In addition, a student who withdraws from four or more computer science classes may be denied entry into or dismissed from the major or minor.

The computer science programs require a minimum grade of "C" in all specifically-listed departmental prerequisite courses. (For example, if a student receives a "C-" in CSCI 201, then he or she cannot take CSCI 301 because CSCI 201 is a prerequisite). A minimum grade of "C" is also required in all courses to be applied toward a departmental major or minor program.

Students who meet the following requirements may apply for early admission to any of the major or minor programs:

           a.  Completion of at least 12 credit hours in the program for which they are applying (this includes mathematics and science courses);

           b.  Have earned at least a 3.50 GPA in the computer science program without repeats or withdrawals;

           c.  Have earned at least an overall 3.00 GPA.

Entry into all computer science programs requires the approval of the Computer Science Admissions Committee which meets three times during each academic year. No student may register for courses numbered above 301 in computer science until he or she is admitted to an appropriate major or minor program.

Before applying for the 50-credit major, a student must be accepted into an approved minor or second major.

Bachelor of Science-Computer Science

This program is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC) of the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The upper division writing requirement is met through CSCI 332.

Major (81-83) - ABET Accredited
Note: At least one-half of the 300- and 400-level computer science courses in this major program must be taken from the Department of Computer Science at SCSU.
CSCI 201, 220, 301, 310, 311, 320, 330, 331, 332, 334.
MATH 221, 273, 311 or 312, 373.
Select one course from: STAT 353, 417.
Select one course from: ENGL 332, CMST 341.
Select one course from: MATH 222, 321, 325, 353, 452, 461, 462, 465.
Select at least 12 credits from the following science courses. You must include both courses in one of the required sequences, plus one or two from the elective courses.

Required sequence (one of):

  1. PHYS 234, 235
  2. BIOL 151, 152
  3. CHEM 210, 211

Elective courses (different from those in your chosen required sequence):
ASTR 311, 312; BIOL 151, 152, 212, 214; CHEM 207, 210, 211, ECE 201; ENGR 332; EAS 220, 260: PHYS 231, 232, 234, 235, 328, 329, 333

CSCI Electives: select 15 credits from at least 3 of the following areas, with the approval of your adviser.
    Theory: 402, 403, 404
    Systems: 411, 412, 413
    Artificial Intelligence: 440, 441, 442
    Software Engineering: 430, 431, 432
    Misc.: 450

Note: The set of 400-level courses is updated regularly; check with the Department of Computer Science for the most current list. Courses on special topics are offered as CSCI 475. For each such offering, the department will specify which of the above areas the course falls under.

Bachelor of Science

Applied Computer Science
Major (52-54)
This program requires an approved minor or second major.
Note: At least one-half of the 300- and 400-level computer science courses in this major program must be taken from the Department of Computer Sciences at SCSU.
Required:
CSCI 201, 220, 301, 310, 311, 320, 330, 331, 332, 334
MATH 221, 273, 373
ENGL 332 or CMST 341

CSCI Electives: 6 credits at 400-level with approval of your adviser.

Practical Experience: 1-3 credits of practical experience which can be satisfied through CSCI 444, 480, 490 or 499.

Note: the set of 400-level courses is updated regularly; check with the Computer Science Department for the most current list.

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Elective Studies

Computer Science Minor (27)
CSCI 201, 220, 301, 310, 320
MATH 221, 273

Computer Organization and Programming Minor (17)
This minor is designed to familiarize a student with basic concepts at all levels of the programming process, including CPU organization, assembly language and high-level programming.

CSCI 200, 201, 220
Either MATH 115 OR MATH 196 and MATH 211

Computer Algorithmics Minor (17)
This minor is designed to give the mathematically inclined student a rigorous introduction to the process used in designing and analyzing computer algorithms.

CSCI 201, 301, 404
MATH 273, 373