Computer Science, BS

One of the oldest in Pennsylvania, the program dates from 1970. It is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the recognized accrediting body for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology.

The program focuses on the underlying concepts of computing with an emphasis on software engineering. Mastery of these concepts requires, not only substantial practice, but also an understanding of the underlying theory. The program is supplemented with courses in mathematics and the natural sciences and culminates in the Computer Projects course, in which students undertake a project in collaboration with a faculty advisor. The program prepares students for advanced study and wide-ranging professional careers in computing, including software development.

Computer Science and Computer Information Systems students with strong undergraduate records may be accepted and dually enrolled in the graduate program in Software Engineering through the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s degree program. Interested students are advised to contact the Software Engineering Program Director before their junior year.

For more information about the Computing Sciences department, visit its website.

Computer Science Curriculum

	Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course	Fall Cr.	Spr. Cr.
First Year
MAJOR	CMPS 134 Computer Science I –CMPS 144 Computer Science II	3	4
COGNATE	MATH 114 (Q) Calculus I		4
GE WRTG–SPCH	WRTG 107 Composition –COMM 100 Public Speaking	3	3
GE C/IL	C/IL 102 Computing and Information Literacy	3
GE PHIL–T/RS	PHIL 120 Introduction to Philosophy –T/RS 121 (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible	3	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Elective		3
GE QUAN	MATH 142 (Q) Discrete Structures	4
GE FSEM	First Year Seminars ⁴
GE PHED	PHED ELECT - Physical Education		1
		16	18
Second Year
MAJOR	CMPS 240 Data Structures and Algorithms –CMPS 250 Machine Organization and Assembly Language Programming	3	3
MAJOR	CMPS 260 Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science		3
COGNATE	MATH 221 Calculus II	4
GE NSCI	NSCI ELECT¹ - Natural Science Elective	4-4.5	4-4.5
GE PHIL–T/RS	PHIL 210 Ethics –T/RS 122 (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology	3	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Elective		3
GE PHED	PHED ELECT - Physical Education	1	1
		15-15.5	17-17.5
Third Year
MAJOR	CMPS 352 Operating Systems –CMPS 344 Programming Languages	3	3
MAJOR	CMPS 340 File Processing –CMPS ELECT² - Comp. Sci. Elective	4	3
MAJOR	CMPS 350 Computer Architecture –CMPS 374 (W) Fundamentals of Software Engineering	3	3
COGNATE	MATH 310 Applied Probability and Mathematical Statistics	4
COGNATE	NSCI ELECT¹ - Natural Science Elective		3-4
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Elective	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Elective		3
		17	15-16
Fourth Year
MAJOR	CMPS 490 (W) Computer Projects	3
MAJOR	CMPS ELECT² - Major Electives		6
COGNATE	MATH - Math or NSCI ELECT - Natural Science Elective ^{1, 3}	3
GE PHIL	PHIL 214 (P) Computers and Ethics		3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives	3	3
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT - Social/Behavioral Elective	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT - Free Elective	3	3
		15	15
	Total: 128-130 Credits

¹ Computer Science majors must complete at least 12 credits of science courses, including a two-semester sequence in a laboratory science for science or engineering majors. Qualifying sequences include PHYS 140/140L -PHYS 141/141L , CHEM 112-113 and BIOL 141 -BIOL 142 . (Other sequences require approval of the department.) The remaining credits must be satisfied by departmentally approved courses that enhance the student’s ability to apply the scientific method.

² Major electives must be chosen from CMPS 341 , CMPS 354 , CMPS 356 , CMPS 358 , CMPS 360 , CMPS 362 , CMPS 364 , CMPS 370 , CMPS 372 , CMPS 376 , CMPS 384 , CMPS 393 , CMPS 440 and CMPS 481 .

³ Either a mathematics course at the 300 level or above or a science course approved by the department.

⁴The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement. Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester. Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

Computer Science, BS

Computer Science Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 128-130 Credits