Comp Sci Major Requirements and Expectations

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Posted Oct 22, 2024

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As a comp sci major, you can expect to spend around 120-130 credits completing your degree, which typically takes four years to finish.

Coursework in computer science majors usually includes a mix of math, science, and engineering classes, such as discrete math, calculus, and physics.

You'll also take a variety of computer science courses, like algorithms, data structures, and computer systems.

One of the most important aspects of a comp sci major is learning how to code, and you can expect to spend a lot of time writing code in languages like Java, Python, and C++.

Broaden your view: Comp Sci Math

Program Information

The Computer Science major requirements can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at San Diego State University, students must satisfy the university-wide graduation requirements listed in the 2021-22 Graduation Requirements section of the General Catalog.

The 2021 degree requirements are divided into three areas: Lower Division Requirements, Upper Division Required Courses, and Upper Division Electives. These requirements are outlined in the 2021 Computer Science Section of the General Catalog.

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Here's a breakdown of the typical course load for a Computer Science major:

Note that these credit loads are estimates and may vary depending on the specific courses taken. It's always a good idea to check with your academic advisor for the most up-to-date information.

The Computer Science major requires a strong foundation in mathematics and science, with courses such as MATH 140, MATH 141, and PHYS 211. Students will also take a range of Computer Science courses, including CMPSC 121, CMPSC 221, and CMPSC 465.

In addition to these requirements, students must also complete a set of General Education courses, which can include English, mathematics, and natural science courses. These courses are designed to provide a broad-based education and help students develop important skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.

Overall, the Computer Science major requires a significant amount of coursework, but with careful planning and attention to detail, students can stay on track and achieve their academic goals.

Admission and Requirements

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To be eligible for the Computer Science major, you'll need to meet some specific requirements. The program is only open to students enrolled in the College of Engineering or the Division of Undergraduate Studies.

You'll need to have 29-55 graded Penn State credits, excluding transfer and AP credits. This means you'll need to have completed some coursework before applying to the major. To give you a better idea, here are the specific courses you'll need to have completed with a grade of C or better: CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131, CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, MATH 140, MATH 141, and PHYS 211.

To be eligible for entrance to this major, you'll also need to have earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.20.

Beaver Campus

The Computer Science program at Beaver Campus is a comprehensive program that requires a total of 129 credits to complete. The program is designed to be completed in four years, with a strong foundation in computer science and mathematics.

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The first year of the program requires students to take a range of courses, including CMPSC 121 or 131, MATH 140, ENGL 15 (GWS), and a General Education Course. Students must also take a First-Year Seminar, which is a one-credit course.

Here is a breakdown of the credits required for each semester of the first year:

In the second year, students must take courses such as CMPSC 221, MATH 230, and PHYS 212 (GN). Students must also take a Natural Science Elective, which must be a GN-designated course.

The third year of the program requires students to take courses such as CMPSC 465, CMPEN 331, and STAT 318. Students must also take a World Language course.

The fourth year of the program requires students to take courses such as CMPSC 483W or 431W, and a range of department list electives. Students must also take a General Education Course (GHW).

First-Year Students Entering 2024-2025

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As a first-year student entering in 2024, you're probably eager to know what it takes to get into the Computer Science major at Penn State. To be eligible for entrance, you must be enrolled in the College of Engineering or the Division of Undergraduate Studies.

To meet the requirements, you'll need to have 29-55 graded Penn State credits, excluding transfer and AP credits. This means you should focus on taking a solid foundation of courses during your first year.

You must also complete the following courses with a grade of C or better: CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131, CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, MATH 140, MATH 141, and PHYS 211. These courses are crucial for your future success in the major, so make sure to put in the effort to excel in them.

Lastly, you'll need to earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.20. This is a competitive requirement, so it's essential to stay on top of your coursework and maintain a strong academic record.

Honors

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To graduate with honors in computer science, you'll need to meet some specific requirements. You must complete the B.S. in computer science.

Graduating with honors requires a high level of academic achievement. You'll need to graduate with a 3.67 overall grade-point average and a 3.67 grade-point average in computer science classes.

To earn honors, you'll also need to complete a senior thesis approved by the thesis committee. This is a significant academic project that demonstrates your expertise in computer science.

If you don't meet the above criteria, you can still petition the faculty for consideration. Petitions must be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) by specific deadlines: April 1st for spring graduates and November 1st for fall graduates.

A fresh viewpoint: Comp Sci Salary

Majors

If you're considering a degree in Computer Science, you'll need to choose a campus: Beaver or Brandywine.

The Computer Science, B.S. degree at Beaver Campus requires a total of 129 credits.

To give you a better idea of the coursework, here's a breakdown of the credits per year:

The Computer Science, B.S. degree at Brandywine Campus also requires a total of 129 credits.

Here's a breakdown of the credits per year for Brandywine:

Both campuses have similar requirements, but the specific courses and credits may vary.

A.B. in Society

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The A.B. in Society is a great option for those interested in exploring the intersection of technology and society. This program is designed for students who want to understand how technology impacts society and how society shapes technology.

To be eligible for the A.B. in Society, you'll need to complete a set of core courses, including Introduction to Technology, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100). This course provides a foundation for understanding the relationships between technology, ethics, and society.

You'll also need to take one course in Technology Law or Policy and one Philosophy (or Ethics) course in Digital Ethics. These courses will help you develop a deeper understanding of the legal and ethical implications of technology.

The program also requires you to take one COSC elective, which must be a COSC course numbered 2000 or higher, or an approved external elective. You can find a list of approved electives on the program website.

Here's a breakdown of the required courses:

  • One COSC elective
  • Two TES electives (totaling at least 6 credit hours), one of which may be substituted with a COSC elective
  • Senior Capstone in Tech, Ethics, and Society

Curriculum and Coursework

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To earn a degree in computer science, you'll need to complete a minimum of 120 degree credits. Some programs may require more credits, so be sure to check with your college or department adviser.

Computer Science majors must take a set of lower division courses, including CS 150 Introduction to Computer Programming, CS 160 Intermediate Computer Programming, and MATH 150 Calculus I. They must also take a set of upper division courses, such as CS 370 Computer Architecture and STAT 550 Applied Probability.

Here are some of the required courses for different computer science degrees:

  • B.S. in Computer Science: 18 units of upper division courses, including CS 370, CS 420, CS 450, CS 460, CS 480, and STAT 550.
  • A.B. in Computer Science: 4 units of upper division courses, including CS 3200 and CS 370.
  • A.B. in Computer Science, Ethics, and Society: 4 units of upper division courses, including CS 3200, one course in Technology Law or Policy, and one Philosophy (or Ethics) course in Digital Ethics.

Total Minimum Credits

To earn a baccalaureate degree, you must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits.

The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits, so it's essential to consult with your college or department adviser for specific credit requirements.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when it comes to the minimum credit requirement:

  • The minimum credit requirement is 120 degree credits.
  • Some programs may have additional requirements that exceed 120 credits.
  • Consult with your college or department adviser for specific credit requirements.

By understanding the minimum credit requirement, you can plan your coursework and stay on track to meet your degree requirements.

Technology, Ethics, and Society

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The Technology, Ethics, and Society concentration is a great way for CS majors to gain exposure and literacy in the ethical, legal, and social implications of their field.

You'll need to complete three additional courses beyond the regular CS major requirements. These courses are Introduction to Tech, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100), a philosophy course related to Digital Ethics or Digital Law & Policy, and an additional Tech, Ethics, and Society elective.

Here are some of the specific courses you'll need to take for the concentration:

  • Introduction to Tech, Ethics, and Society (PHIL-2100)
  • A philosophy course related to Digital Ethics or Digital Law & Policy
  • An additional Tech, Ethics, and Society elective

A list of approved ethics-related electives and philosophy courses is maintained on the program website, so be sure to check that out for more information.

Career and Graduation

As a computer science major, you can expect a wide range of career opportunities after graduation. You'll likely find positions as software engineers and software developers in major companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, and Intel.

Graduates are also highly recruited by major companies in areas such as finance, health care, aerospace, and defense. This is because computer science graduates have a versatile set of skills that can be applied to many different industries.

After a few years of experience, you may find yourself leading a software team, which requires continually keeping up with the latest technology to meet the new opportunities and challenges of computing.

Careers

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Computer science graduates have a wide range of career options, including software engineering and software development positions in major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft.

As software engineers, they work collaboratively in teams to build complex systems with many integrated parts, applying their skills and knowledge to solve challenging problems using sound computational methods.

Graduates can also find positions in finance, healthcare, aerospace, and defense, where they'll work with cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and progress.

With experience, they may lead a software team, overseeing the development and implementation of new technologies and applications.

To succeed in this field, graduates must continually keep up with the latest technology, adapting to new opportunities and challenges as they arise in the rapidly evolving field of computing.

Graduate Studies Opportunities

Graduate studies can be a great way to specialize in your chosen field, and computer science is no exception.

You can pursue a master's degree in computer science and related disciplines, such as computer security, artificial intelligence, and data sciences.

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A master's degree allows you to specialize beyond the broad foundations offered by a bachelor's degree.

The accelerated B.S./M.S. in Computer Science program is available, which lets qualified B.S. students complete a Master of Science degree by extending their studies to a fifth year.

Students can take two graduate courses during their senior year as an undergraduate, making the transition to graduate studies a bit smoother.

To be eligible, students should apply in the spring semester of their junior year, and designate two courses that apply to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.

For more information about the program, see the Department's web site, or contact the Department's Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduating with Honors

If you're planning to graduate with honors in computer science, you'll need to meet some specific requirements. To start, you'll need to complete the B.S. in computer science.

Graduating with honors requires a strong academic record, so you'll need to graduate with a 3.67 overall grade-point average and a 3.67 grade-point average in computer science classes.

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You'll also need to complete a senior thesis approved by the thesis committee. This is a significant project that demonstrates your expertise in computer science.

If you don't meet the above criteria, you can still petition the faculty for consideration to graduate with honors. This involves submitting a petition to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) by April 1st for spring graduates and November 1st for fall graduates.

Here are the key requirements for graduating with honors in computer science:

  • Complete the B.S. in computer science
  • Graduate with a 3.67 overall grade-point average and a 3.67 grade-point average in computer science classes
  • Complete a senior thesis approved by the thesis committee
  • Submit a petition to the DUS by April 1st for spring graduates and November 1st for fall graduates if you don't meet the criteria

Academic Policies

As a computer science major, you'll need to meet the university's academic policies, which include a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 in all CS courses, as well as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall.

To stay on track, you'll need to complete a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 40 credits in the major, including a capstone course that's typically taken in the senior year.

Quality of Work

To earn a degree, you must complete the degree requirements for your major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within your degree program.

This means that you'll need to focus on doing well in all your classes, not just your favorites.

Grade Policies

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You can take EECS 203, EECS 280, and EECS 281 courses multiple times, but only up to two attempts per course.

Students are allowed to retake these courses if they don't quite get it the first time, and it's a good idea to review the material before attempting it again.

Grades of C or better are required in all Computer Science courses, so make sure to put in the effort to achieve a passing grade.

This is a pretty standard requirement, but it's essential to understand the expectations in order to succeed in the program.

Subsequent attempts at these courses must be petitioned through the CSE advising office, so be sure to follow the proper procedures if you need to retake a course.

Accreditation

The accreditation of our academic programs is a crucial aspect of ensuring the quality of our education. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at University Park is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

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This accreditation is a testament to the rigorous standards and high-quality education that our students receive. ABET is a well-respected organization that evaluates academic programs to ensure they meet specific criteria.

The accreditation process is thorough and involves a comprehensive review of our program's curriculum, faculty, and facilities. This ensures that our students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for successful careers in computer science.

The Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET is a commission within the organization that specifically focuses on accrediting computer science programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get a comp science major?

Getting a computer science major can be challenging due to its combination of programming skills and diverse theoretical and practical subjects. However, with dedication and the right resources, it's achievable for motivated students.

Do comp sci majors need calc 3?

Calculus III is recommended for Computer Science majors, but if you've already received equivalent credits for Calculus I & II, you're exempt from taking more Calculus courses

Is Compsci a math major?

Computer science is not a math major, but it does heavily rely on mathematical concepts and requires taking several math courses as part of the degree program. If you're interested in computer science, you'll need to have a strong foundation in math to succeed.

Carrie Chambers

Senior Writer

Carrie Chambers is a seasoned blogger with years of experience in writing about a variety of topics. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights with others, and her writing style is engaging, informative and thought-provoking. Carrie's blog covers a wide range of subjects, from travel and lifestyle to health and wellness.

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