- Info
Degree Requirements
Formal graduation requirements for the Computer Science major and minor.
NOTE: This page describes requirements that went into effect for students entering in Fall 2011 or later. For students who enrolled at SLU prior to Fall 2011, please see the Previous Requirements.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science. The two degrees differ in their computer science, mathematics, core science, and non-science core requirements. Generally, the BS has more required computer science courses, math courses, and science courses. The BA has more humanities requirements and leaves more flexibility for electives or a second area of study.
Required Computer Science Courses
| Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of
Arts in Computer Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
CSCI 140: Introduction to Computer Science
Three years high school math
|
| 4 |
CSCI 150: Introduction to Object Oriented
Programming
or CSCI 145/146:Scientific Programming/Object Oriented
Practicum
MATH 120
|
| 4 |
CSCI 180: Data Structures
C- or better in CSCI 146 or CSCI 150;
MATH 135 co/pre-req
|
| 3 |
CSCI 224: Computer Architecture
CSCI 146 or CSCI 150; CSCI 140 or ECE
205
|
| 3 |
CSCI 290: Object Oriented Software Design
C- or better in CSCI 180
|
| 3 |
CSCI 324: Operating Systems
CSCI 180; CSCI 224 or ECE 317
|
|
| Bachelor of Science |
Bachelor of Arts |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
CSCI 314: Algorithms
CSCI 180; MATH 143
|
3 |
One CS theory course chosen from the list
below.
Varies with course.
|
| 3 |
CSCI 344: Programming Languages
CSCI 290
|
|
| 3 |
CSCI 390: Software Engineering
CSCI 290
|
|
| Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of
Arts in Computer Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
CS Applications: One course course chosen from
the list below.
Varies with course.
|
| 6 |
Two additional 300-400 level CS electives.
|
| 2 |
CSCI 496: Capstone Project I
Completion of all 200-level CSCI
requirements
and at least 75 credit hours toward graduation
(i.e.,
second-semester junior standing or beyond).
|
| 2 |
CSCI 497: Capstone Project II
CSCI 496.
|
- Applications Courses
- Network Programming I (CSCI 334), Computer Graphics (CSCI 357), Databases (CSCI 371), Advanced Operating Systems (CSCI 425), Computer Security (CSCI 443)
- Theory Courses
- Algorithms (CSCI 314), Compilers (CSCI 327), Programming Languages (CSCI 344), Automata (CSCI 413)
Total CS hours required:
- Bachelor of Science: 42
- Bachelor of Arts: 36
Required Mathematics Courses
| Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
MATH 135: Discrete Mathematics
MATH 120
|
| 4 |
MATH 142: Calculus I
C- or better in MATH 141
|
| 4 |
MATH 143: Calculus II
C- or better in MATH 142
|
| 3 |
One additional math course at or above the 200-level
Varies with course.
|
| Bachelor of Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 6 |
Two further math courses at or above the 200-level.
|
|
|
Total Math hours required:
- Bachelor of Science: 20
- Bachelor of Arts: 14
Required Science Courses
| Bachelor of Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 8 |
Sequence of two lab science courses.
|
| 4 |
Additional four hours of science.
|
|
| Bachelor of Arts |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 6 |
Any two courses in the natural sciences.
|
|
Total Science hours required:
- Bachelor of Science: 12
- Bachelor of Arts: 6
Required A & S Core Courses
| Bachelor of Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
PHIL 205: Ethics
|
|
| 3 |
PHIL 341: Computer Ethics
PHIL 205
|
| 33 |
Remaining A & S core for BS.
|
|
| Bachelor of Arts |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
PHIL 105: Intro to Philosophy
|
|
| 3 |
PHIL 205: Ethics
|
|
| 3 |
PHIL 341: Computer Ethics
PHIL 205
|
| 42 |
Remaining A & S core for BA.
|
|
Total remaining A & S core hours required:
- Bachelor of Science: 39
- Bachelor of Arts: 51
Students completing a primary major in another field may complete a secondary major in Computer Science by fulfilling the version of these requirements that is commensurate with the credentials of their primary degree (i.e., the B.A. requirements if doing a primary B.A., the B.S. requirements if doing a primary B.S.). This includes not only the CSCI coursework, but all stated Math, Science, and Ethics requirements.
Students whose primary majors are outside of the College of Arts & Sciences are not required to complete the formal A&S Core. However, students who are receiving a B.S. degree with a secondary major in Computer Science are required, for breadth, to complete at least 27 credit hours of coursework outside of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Minor Requirements
| Minor in Computer Science |
| Credit Hours |
Required Course
Prerequisites
|
| 3 |
CSCI 140: Introduction to Computer Science
Three years high school math
|
| 4 |
CSCI 150: Introduction to Object Oriented
Programming
or CSCI 145/146:Scientific Programming/Object Oriented
Practicum
MATH 120
|
| 4 |
CSCI 180: Data Structures
C- or better in CSCI 146 or CSCI 150;
MATH 135 co/pre-req
|
| 6 |
Two additional CSCI courses at the 200-level or above.
Varies with course.
|
| 3 |
MATH 135: Discrete Mathematics
MATH 120
|
Total hours required for CS Minor: 20
