Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Major code BS7260

Computer science involves the design, development, analysis, and maintenance of the computer software that controls complex computer systems and networks. Computer scientists work with all aspects of computer software, including graphics, multimedia, the World Wide Web, e-mail, compilers, software engineering, artificial intelligence, theory of computer algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and internet applications.

While writing programs is an important function for computer scientists, they do much more than that. They analyze the needs of software users, develop algorithms and interfaces to meet those needs, and work in small groups to design software components. They must be proficient at problem solving, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and interpersonal communication. The computer science program at Ohio University, because of its strong ties with mathematics and engineering, emphasizes both the mathematical and the practical components of computer science.

The computer science program has three major goals for its undergraduate students:

• That they have the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be immediately productive upon entering the workforce or advanced study.
  
• That they will maintain and develop the knowledge and the skills needed to identify, formulate, and solve problems throughout their career.
  
• That they will exhabit personal integrity, ethical behavior, and cultural awareness in the practice of their profession.

Computer science students must fulfill the university's General Education Requirements and the distribution requirement from the College of Arts and Sciences. Students are also required to complete one year of foreign language. Students then have the option of completing an additional year of foreign language (Option L) or four technical courses (Option E). (See the College of Arts and Sciences for requirement waiver policy for foreign languages taken in high school.) There are 10 courses in mathematics, engineering and basic sciences, which provide a foundation for the 14 required courses in computer science and electrical engineering. These courses culminate with CS 456 where students are required to complete a software project. Students take four technical elective courses in which they can explore areas of computer science at an advanced level. During the course of their program, students work with several programming languages using both personal computer and UNIX workstations.

Computer science majors must complete 192 hours of coursework for an average of 16 hours a quarter over four years of undergraduate study. All required courses in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics must be completed with a grade of C or better. Credit earned in approved internship or co-op programs may be applied toward graduation requirements.

Option E (1 year foreign language, 1 year technical courses)

Freshman

Fall

MATH 263A   Calculus                    4

            Soc. Sci. or humanities2  3-5 
 
            Freshman composition2       5

            Foreign language3           4

Winter

CS 240A     Intro to Computer Sci.4     5

MATH 263B   Calculus                    4

            Soc. Sci. or humanities2  3-5  

            Foreign Language3           4

Spring

CS 240B     Intro to Computer Sci.   4

MATH 263C   Calculus                 4

            Laboratory science2    4-5

            Foreign language (113)   4

Sophomore

Fall

CS 240C     Intro to Computer Sci.     5

MATH 263D   Calculus                   4

Phys 251    General Physics1           5

            Additional Sci. Course1  3-5

Winter

CS 300     Intro to Discrete Structures  5

MATH 410   Matrix Theory                 4

ET 280     Engr. & Tech. Overview        4

           General Physics1            1-4

Spring

CS 361   Data Structures             5

EE 222   Intro to Digital Circuits   3

         Differential Equations3     4

         General Physics1            5
 

Junior

Fall

CS 404   Design & Anal. of Algs      5

EE 371   Applied Prob. and Stats.    3

EE 313   Basic Elec. Engr.1          3

         Soc. Sci or Humanities5   3-5

Winter

CS 320   Org. of Prog. Languages    5

EE 367   Intro to Microprocessors   4

EE 304   Basic Elec. Lab I        3-4

EE 314   Basic Elec. Engr. II       3

         Junior Composition2        4

Spring

CS 406   Computation Theory           5

CS 456   Software Design and Dev.     5

EE 303   Intermediate Lab III         1

         Soc. Sci. or Humanities5   3-4

Senior

Fall

CS 442   Op. Sys. and Comp. Arch. I   5

         Technical elective6          5   

         Soc. sci. or humanities5  6-10

Winter

        Technical elective6         5   
 
        Tier III2                   4

        Soc. Sci or Humanities5   3-5      

Spring

        Technical electives6        5

        Technical electives6        5
  
        Free elective             1-3

1. Computer science majors must complete a year-long laboratory science sequence plus one additional science course. Requirements are either PHYS 251, 252, and 253 or CHEM 151,152, and 123 or 153. The additional science course must be a required course for science majors within the discipline offering the course. PHYS 251 has a prerequisite of MATH 263A, so you may need to wait until winter quarter to start the PHYS sequence.

2. The Tier I freshman composition requirement can be satisfied any quarter of the freshman year. The Tier I junior composition requirement can be satisfied in any quarter of the junior year; ENG 305J is preferred. The Tier III requirement can be satisfied in any quarter of the senior year.

3. Computer science majors must take either two years of foreign language or one year of foreign language and MATH 340, EE 313, EE 314, and EE 304. Two or three years of high school foreign language fulfill one year of the foreign language requirement; four or more years of high school foreign language fulfil two years of the foreign language requirement.

4. Students without experience in computer programming are encouraged to take CS 230 Computer Programming I before taking CS 240A.

5. Computer Science majors have the same requirements as the College of Arts and Sciences (see College of Arts and Sciences "College Requirements" section). The natural science portion of the requirements is fulfiled by required coursework in mathematics and science. Careful selection of courses under this requirement will also fulfill university Tier II requirements.

6. Computer science technical electives can be satisfied at any time. Four classes from at least three areas are required: Computational Sciences (MATH 444, 445, 446), Databases (CS 462, 463, 464), Systems (CS 444, 458), Artificial Intelligence (CS 480, 482, 483), computer architecture (CS 411, 412; EE 467), and Algorighms and Data Structures (CS 410; PHIL 320, 420).

    

University Publications and Computer Services revised this file (https://www.ohio.edu/catalog/998-00/colleges/comsci.htm) January 10, 2000.

Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "ucat@www.ohiou.edu."