Texas State CS  > Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Computer Science offers courses in computer architecture, data structures and algorithms, automata theory, compilers, operating systems, object-oriented design and implementation, Web programming, software engineering, computer graphics, computer networks, distributed systems, computer security, digital forensics, database design, data mining, machine learning, human computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and several programming languages including C, C++, Java, Assembly, LISP, HTML, Perl, PHP, and JavaScript. The department offers a major and minor in Computer Science with courses leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Other courses are available for students seeking teacher certification. In addition, students may seek a Certificate in Computer Science (see http://www.cs.txstate.edu/certificate.php).

Computer Science graduates can further their studies in graduate schools or seek employment in industry, such as, hardware manufacturing; software development; computer applications in the petroleum, aerospace, and chemical industries; and secondary school teaching.

The BA and BS degrees require at least 128 semester hours and will include 9 hours of writing intensive (wi) courses.

For more information about bachelor's degrees in the Department of Computer Science, please make an appointment with the College of Science and Engineering, Computer Science undergraduate advisor in the Nueces Building, room 256. The telephone number is 512.245.1315.

Major in Computer Science

The BS in Computer Science is an ABET accredited program. Students seeking either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science with a computer science major will complete 37-42 hours of computer science work. Students should take CS 1428 in the first semester. This course will be followed by CS 2308 after which CS 2318 and 3358 should be taken. Note: "wi" indicates a writing-intensive course.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree will complete CS1428, 2308, 2315 (wi), 2318, 3339, 3358, 3398, 2420, 4354, any one of 4326 (wi), 4398 , or 3468 (wi), and 10 hours of CS electives, 9 hours of which must be upper-level (3000-4000) CS courses.

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree will complete CS1428, 2308, 2315 (wi), 2318, 3358, 3398, 2420, 4354, any one of 4326 (wi), 4398 , or 3468 (wi), and 8 hours of upper-level (3000-4000) CS elective courses.

Please note that this information reflects the most current (2008-10) degree catalog. Students are encouraged to review their course requirements with their advisor. The above information reflects computer science courses only; additional interdisciplinary and academic core courses are required. See below for additional information.

Minors

Students can choose from any department which offers a minor. Refer to the catalogue designated for your degree for a list of minors.

Academic Core

All students at Texas State complete a program of Academic Core in order to acquire fundamental skills and cultural background. Thus, at the end of the bachelor's program, the student is prepared not only in computer science, but also in the general abilities of questioning, explaining, and learning that remain universally useful in a rapidly changing world.

The Academic Core curriculum has three levels and accounts for 52-54 credit hours of the bachelor's degree:

• Level 1 – Essential Skills: Develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, mathematics, problem-solving and critical thinking. (15 hours)
• Level 2 – Disciplinary Perspectives: Learn to approach contemporary problems from academic perspectives of history, politics, natural science, social science, international, fine arts and physical fitness. (34 hours)
• Level 3 - Integrative Courses: Study the nature and value of University education and learn to integrate general knowledge with the specialized knowledge gained in the major and minor. A freshman seminar is required of all first-year students transferring in fewer than 16 credit hours.

Sample four-year BA and BS schedules are shown on separate pages. The BS degree requires additional hours in computer science, science and in mathematics, and fewer hours in modern languages.

Minor in Computer Science

A minor in Computer Science consists of CS 1428, 2308, 2318, 2420, 3358, at least six advanced hours in computer science, plus Mathematics 2358 and Mathematics 3398.

Computer Science as a Teaching Field

Teacher certification in computer science is also available. Students seeking teacher certification to teach computer science will follow course work leading to the BA or BS degree and will take courses approved by the State Board for Educator Certification. Initial or additional certification may be acquired after completing the bachelor's degree, while enrolled in a master's program, or as post-graduate work. A second teaching field in Computer Science for Texas public schools (grades 8-12) requires these courses: CS 1308, CS 1428, 2308, 2318, 3358, and 12 computer science electives of which 9 hours must be advanced (3000-4000). For further information, contact the teacher certification advisor in thein the Office of Educator Preparation, 512.245.7880.