Computer Science (BS)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Computer Science
Program Code: 3420
About This Major . . .
Computer science studies algorithms and the issues involved in implementing them. The program includes core courses in algorithms, data structures, logic, programming languages, software design, and advanced mathematics. Electives in web page design, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer graphics, video game design, databases, security, multimedia, and networks are also possible. The program and course offerings are constantly evolving to keep up with the latest changes in the Computer Science field. The small class sizes allow for close interaction between faculty and students, with independent research projects and internships available.
A wide variety of exciting professional and academic opportunities exist for graduates of computer science including software engineering, software testing, computational finance, game design, computer graphics, robotics, artificial intelligence, internet systems and technology, security, hardware development, animation, medicine, biotechnology, business management and consulting, modeling, as well as masters and doctoral studies in computing-related fields. Our graduates have continued to advanced degrees in top-tier schools and are employed at Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Northrup Grumann, Lockheed-Martin, and many other technology companies.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource or the CMU Computer Science website.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions. (Critical Thinking, Applied Learning, Quantitative Fluency)
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline. (Specialized Knowledge, Quantitative Fluency)
- Evaluate and apply relevant information to communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts. (Information Literacy, Communication Fluency)
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline. (Specialized Knowledge)
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. (Specialized Knowledge)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1,2 | ||
| MATH 151 | Calculus I-GT-MA1 | 3 |
| or MATH 135 | Engineering Calculus I | |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences 3 | ||
| Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab | 4 | |
| Select one Natural Sciences course | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of “C” or better. Must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.
- 2
MATH 151 is 5 credit hours, and MATH 135 is 4 credit hours. Depending on the course selected, 3 credits will apply to the Essential Learning requirements and 1 or 2 credits will apply to Foundation Courses.
- 3
One course must include a lab.
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Select one Activity course | 1 | |
| Essential Learning Capstone 1 | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.
Foundation Courses
(23-25 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 110 & 110L | Beginning Programming and Beginning Programming Laboratory | 4 |
| CSCI 111 | CS1: Foundations of Computer Science | 4 |
| CSCI 112 | CS2: Data Structures | 4 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I-GT-MA1 1 | 1-2 |
| or MATH 135 | Engineering Calculus I | |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 4-5 |
| or MATH 136 | Engineering Calculus II | |
| STAT 200 | Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| CSCI 260 | Introduction to Database | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 23-25 | |
Program Specific Degree Requirements
40 semester hours, 2.5 GPA is required in major courses, no more than one “D” may be used in completing major requirements.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CSCI 241 | Computer Architecture and Assembly Language | 4 |
| CSCI 250 | CS3: Introduction to Algorithms | 3 |
| CSCI 330 | Programming Languages | 3 |
| MATH 369 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| CSCI 375 | Object Oriented Programming and Design Patterns | 3 |
| CSCI 470 | Operating Systems Design | 3 |
| CSCI 484 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CSCI 490 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Complete 15 semester hours of CSCI 300-level or 400-level courses. MATH 361 will also count as a restricted elective. | 15 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 40 | |
General Electives
All college-level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above, will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours, including 40 upper-division hours. 20 semester hours, including 7 upper-division hours, may be needed.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General electives | 20 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 20 | |
While the sequencing below culminates in a total of 120-122 semester credit hours, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours as required for completion of this degree, including satisfactory completion of all required courses. Plan to complete requirements with varying hour options accordingly.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| CSCI 110 & 110L | Beginning Programming and Beginning Programming Laboratory | 4 |
| MATH 151 or MATH 135 | Calculus I-GT-MA1 or Engineering Calculus I | 4-5 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSCI 111 | CS1: Foundations of Computer Science | 4 |
| MATH 152 or MATH 136 | Calculus II or Engineering Calculus II | 4-5 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| KINA Activity | 1 | |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSCI 112 | CS2: Data Structures | 4 |
| CSCI 260 | Introduction to Database | 3 |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSCI 241 | Computer Architecture and Assembly Language | 4 |
| CSCI 250 | CS3: Introduction to Algorithms | 3 |
| STAT 200 | Probability and Statistics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSCI 330 | Programming Languages | 3 |
| MATH 369 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSCI 375 | Object Oriented Programming and Design Patterns | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSCI 484 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSCI 470 | Operating Systems Design | 3 |
| CSCI 490 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | 3 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120-122 | |
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.