Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science provides students with a strong foundation in computer science, supported by a solid background in mathematics tailored to the field. Students will gain the skills needed to address both scientific applications and the theoretical aspects of computer science, while also gaining exposure to computer hardware, such as microprocessors, through courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Electives allow students to explore applied areas of computing. Upon completing the program, graduates will be well-prepared for careers as software engineers, computer programmers, data scientists, information systems analysts, systems programmers or applications developers in business and industry. This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Program Structure
The B.S. in Computer Science requires a total of 123 credit hours, which includes:
- 18 hours of electives
- 17 hours of core mathematics and statistics courses:
- MATH 131
- MATH 132
- MATH 206
- STAT 261
- MATH/STAT Elective
- 40 hours of required courses in computer science:
- CSCI 201
- CSCI 211
- CSCI 202
- CSCI 223
- CSCI 305
- CSCI 317
- CSCI 320
- CSCI 355
- CSCI 405
- CSCI 420
- CSCI 495
- ELEC 311
- ELEC 330
- one of CSCI 421 or CSCI 499
- and 6 hours of approved computer science electives selected from among the computer science courses offered at the 300 or 400 level
- General Education requirements for a selected strand, physical education, modern language, and laboratory science must be completed. The complete course of study is provided in the College Catalog and Degree maps.
With recent changes to the General Education requirements, please reference the 4-year plan in your catalog year for your specific semester-by-semester plan.
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)
Within five years of graduation, alumni of the B.S. program in Computer Science should be:
- Conducting successful careers in computer science disciplines and/or pursuing graduate study in computer science.
- Demonstrating life-long learning skills and adapting to emerging markets and technologies.
- Embracing high personal and professional standards of conduct, citizenship, and service.
Student Outcomes (SOs)
Graduates of the program will have an ability to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Concentration: Computer Information Systems
The B.S. in Computer Science can also be pursued with a concentration in Computer Information Systems, which has its own academic map outlining the course sequence.
Undergraduate CS Program Enrollment and Graduation Data
| Academic Year | 10-11 | 11-12 | 12-13 | 13-14 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 16-17 | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS – Computer Science Enrollments (fall term) | 32 | 34 | 41 | 54 | 52 | 63 | 92 | 83 | 104 | 96 |
| BS – Computer Science Degrees Conferred | 9 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 19-24* |
Notes:
- Enrollment data includes secondary majors and students who were enrolled in the major at any point during a given year.
- Academic Year (AY) includes enrollment from 1 September through 31 August.
The Citadel has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. [ Learn More ]
Get to know one of our students
Matthew Hammond, ’20
Computer Science Major, Kilo Company