Bachelor of Science Degree
Overall B.S. Learning Goals
1. Knowledge in Scientific and Technical areas.
Graduates will have sufficient breadth and depth in the fundamental scientific and technical areas of computer science, to provide for their success as computer science professional practitioners, lifelong learners, professional software developers, and graduate students.
2. Development of computer-based systems.
Graduates will be capable of applying scientific methodology to the design, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of computer based systems.
3. Skills in project-oriented teamwork and communication.
Graduates will have the ability to work collaboratively with others in complex problem settings involving cross-functional relationships, including effectively communicating both orally and in writing.
4. Understanding of ethical, cultural, societal, legal and global issues in computing.
Graduates will understand and be able to incorporate into their work considerations that relate to empowerment, quality of life, risks and responsibilities, and privacy
(See the flowchart for B.S. in CS prerequisites .
Computer Science:
CSci 160-161 Computer Science I and II
CSci 335-336 Theoretical Computer Science I and II
CSci 373 Assembly Programming
CSci 374 Computer Organization
CSci 366 Files for Database Systems
CSci 372 Comparative Languages
CSci 445 Software Projects
CSci 467 Algorithm Analysis
CSci 474 Operating Systems Concepts
CSci 475 Operating Systems Design or CSci 468 Database Management Systems Design
CSci 489 Social Implications of Computers
Note: CSci 445 and CSci 489 form the Department capstone. Both courses usually are taken during the last spring semester the student is enrolled.
Nine hours of Computer Science electives (300 and 400 levels)
Three courses from the categories listed next. No more than two courses may come from any single category.
- Software Engineering
a) CSci 413: Introduction to Software Engineering
b) CSci 477: Object-Oriented Systems
c) CSci 488: Human-Compu ter Interaction
- Large Systems CSci 426:
a) Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
b) CSci 458: Microcomputer Graphics
c) CSci 459: Local Area Networks
d) CSci 468: Database Systems Design (if not used for another
degree requirement)
e) CSci 475: Operating Systems Design (if not used for another
degree requirement)
- Systems Modeling
a) CSci 418: Simulation Models
b) CSci 453: Linear Programming and Network Flows
c) CSci 454: Operations Research
- Emerging Areas
a) CSci 345: Topics in Personal Computers
b) CSci 469: Network Security
c) CSci 476: Computer Forensics
d) CSci 473: Foundations of Digital Enterprise
Quantitative Requirements
Math 165-166 Calculus I and II
Stat 367-368 Probability and Statistics
CSci 222 Discrete Mathematics
Science Requirements:
One sequence of laboratory science (with lab) to be chosen from:
Biol 150 (150L) - 151 (151L)
Chem 121 (121L) - 122 (122L)
Chem 150 (160 ) - 151 (161 )
Geol 105 (105L) - 106 (106L)
Phys 251 (251L) - 252 (252L)
Two additional courses in Science which are required for at least one degree program in Science or Engineering. These courses must come either from those listed immediately above or from:
Biol 220, 221, 364
Bot 314, 315, 372, 380
Chem 341, 364, 365, 431
Phys 350, 361, 411
Other Requirements (A combination of university, college, and departmental requirements)
First-year experience ............................... 1 credit
Communication (English and speech) ... 12 credits
Wellness .................................................... 2 credits
Humanities and Social Sciences .......... 21 credits
The department requires 21 credits in either Humanities and Fine Arts, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. The courses that may be used to satisfy these 21 credits are those approved for the University General Education Requirements. The General Education Requirements specify that of these 21, at least 6 must be in Humanities and Fine Arts, and at least 6 must be in Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, the University General education requirements include a Cultural Diversity requirement and a Global Perspectives requirement. These are normally satisfied by selecting, among the 21-credit total, specific courses that have been approved to satisfy these two requirements. (There are a few other ways to satisfy the Global Perspectives requirement, by taking certain courses in natural or physical sciences that do not count toward the 21-credit requirement.) Other credits, as needed, to total 122 (required for graduation).
Note: if you consult the General Education Requirements, or the College requirements for a B.S. as described in the NDSU Bulletin, you may see requirements that appear to be slightly different from those described above, as well as other categories of requirements, such as Quantitative Reasoning and Science & Technology. However, if you satisfy the requirements described above, you should have any of these other requirements satisfied automatically.
A grade of C or better is required in computer science (CSci) courses used toward the major. All core computer science courses must be taken at NDSU or transferred in when the student enters NDSU as a transfer student.