Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at LAU provides a fundamental understanding of the theoretical principles of software and digital systems within the context of current technology. The program provides students with a strong background in the fundamentals of mathematics and computer science, and is balanced between theoretical and applied courses that prepare students for a professional career in the area of computer science. In addition to developing computer science skills, the program helps students obtain an understanding of the human and social aspects of computer systems, and how computer science relates to other disciplines.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is to provide students with the ability to integrate the theory and practice of computing in the representation, processing, and use of information while upholding the tradition of a liberal arts education.

Program Educational Objectives

Within few years after graduation, the following set of educational objectives describes what the BS in Computer Science graduates are expected to attain:

Be successful professionals and recognized leaders in computer science or in related fields.
Pursue graduate studies.
Embrace human differences, social justice, ethical and environmentally-safe practices inherent in the discipline of computing.

Student Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students shall be able to:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

Major Core Requirements 32 (credits)
Computer Science Elective Requirements (15 credits)
Mathematics Requirements (15 credits)
Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LAS) (6 credits)
Liberal Arts Electives: 21 credits (Natural Sciences and Math: 9 credits, Arts and Humanities: min. 9 to max. 12 credits; Social Sciences: min. 6-max. 9; LAS elective: 3 credits)
Free Elective (3 credits)

Major Core Requirements (32 credits)

CSC243 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr.)
CSC245 Objects & Data Abstraction (3 cr.)
CSC310 Algorithms & Data Structures (3 cr.)
CSC320 Computer Organization (3 cr.)
CSC322 Computer Organization Lab (1 cr.)
CSC326 Operating Systems (3 cr.)
CSC375 Database Management Systems (3 cr.)
CSC430 Computer Networks (3 cr.)
CSC447 Parallel Programming for Multicore & Cluster Systems (3 cr.)
CSC480 Social & Professional Issues in Computing (3 cr.)
CSC490 Software Engineering (3 cr.)
CSC491 Professional Experience (1 cr.)
CSC599 Capstone Project (3 cr.)

Elective Requirements (15 credits)
(Choose 5 courses from the following Computer Science electives)

CSC323 Digital Systems Design (3 cr.)
CSC412 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr.)
CSC420 Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
CSC435 Computer Security (3 cr.)
CSC440 Advanced Object-Oriented Programming (3 cr.)
CSC443 Web Programming (3 cr.)
CSC450 Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
CSC458 Game Programming (3 cr.)
CSC460 Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)
CSC461 Introduction to Machine Learning (3cr.)
CSC462 Fundamentals of Deep Learning (3cr.)
CSC463 Computer Vision (3cr.)
CSC464 Deep Learning for Natural Language Processing (3cr.)
CSC495 IT Project Management (3 cr.)
CSC498 Topics in Computer Science (may be repeated) (3 cr.)

Mathematics Requirements (12 credits)

MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
MTH305 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
MTH307 Discrete Structures II (3 cr.)

Mathematics Electives (3 credits)

(Choose one course from the following)

MTH301 Linear Algebra (3 cr.)
MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
MTH306 Non-Linear Dynamics & Chaos (3 cr.)
MTH309 Graph Theory (3 cr.)
MTH498 Topics in Mathematics (may be repeated) (3 cr.)

Liberal Arts Core Curriculum (6 credits)

ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)

Liberal Arts Electives (21 credits)

Natural Sciences and Math (9 cr.)

BIO209 Basic Biology for Computer Science (3 cr.)
CHM209 Essentials of Chemistry for Computer Science (3 cr.)
Fulfilled by passing MTH201 (3cr.)
Fulfilled by passing MTH207 (3cr.)

Social Sciences (min.6-max.9 credits)

CSC480 Social and Prof. Issues in Computing (3 cr.)
Liberal Arts Elective (3 cr.)
Liberal Arts Elective (3 cr.)
Liberal Arts Elective (3 cr.)

Humanities and Arts (min.9-max.12)

LAS Elective (3 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (15 credits)

CSC243 Introduction to Object Oriented Programming (3 cr.)
ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
LAS Elective (3 cr.)
Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
CSC245 Objects & Data Abstraction (3 cr.)
CSC320 Computer Organization (3 cr.)
CSC322 Computer Organization Lab (1 cr.)
COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
LAS Arts Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two