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)

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.

Computer Science:

(effective Fall 2011)

CSci 160-161: Computer Science I and II
CSci 213: Modern Software Development
CSci 313: Software Development for Games
CSci 336: Theoretical Computer Science
CSci 366: Files for Database Systems
CSci 372: Comparative Languages
CSci 374: Computer Organization
CSci 415: Parallel Computation and Networks
CSci 445: Software Projects
CSci 467: Algorithm Analysis
CSci 474: Operating Systems Concepts
CSci 489: Social Implications of Computers

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
1. CSci 413: Introduction to Software Engineering
2. CSci 477: Object-Oriented Systems
3. CSci 488: Human-Computer Interaction
Large Systems
1. CSci 426: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
2. CSci 458: Microcomputer Graphics
3. CSci 459: Local Area Networks
Systems Modeling
1. CSci 418: Simulation Models
2. CSci 453: Linear Programming and Network Flows
3. CSci 454: Operations Research
Emerging Areas
1. CSci 345: Topics in Personal Computers
2. CSci 469: Network Security
3. CSci 473: Foundations of the Digital Enterprise
4. CSci 476: Computer Forensics
5. CSci 479: Introduction to Data Mining

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 126 (126L) - 220 (220L)
Chem 121 (121L) - 122 (122L)
Chem 150 (160 ) - 151 (161 )
Geol 105 (105L) - 106 (106L)
Phys 211 (211L) - 212 (212L)
Phys 251 (251L) - 252 (252L)

One addition science elective (3 credit hours) which satisfies the general education requirement.

Other Requirements (A combination of university, college, and departmental requirements)

First Year Experience (UNIV 189) ......................1 credit

Communication (English and Speech).................12 credits

English 110 if the student has an ACT score of 20 or less
English 120
Communications 110
An upper level writing course chosen from

English 321 or
English 324

Wellness...........................................................2 credits
Humanities and Social Sciences.........................21 credits
Other credits, as needed, to total 122 (required for graduation).

A student should consult the current General Education requirements for specific courses that satisfy the restrictions given next. www.ndsu.edu/bisonconnection/registration/genedreqs

At least six credits must be in Humanities and Fine Arts
At least six credits must be in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Must include 3 credits in Cultural Diversity
Must include 3 credits in Global Perspectives

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.)

The General Education requirements in Communication include English 110 and 120. Entering students with a composite ACT score of 21 or higher are encouraged to register for English 120, and a student who completes 120 with a C or higher will receive credit for English 110 with a grade of P. The communication requirements also include an upper-division writing class. The Computer Science department has designated English 321, Writing in the Technical Professions, and English 324, Writing in the Sciences, as the two upper-division courses that will satisfy this requirement.

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.

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