The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is designed for students planning a career in computing. Students working toward a BSCS degree must meet all requirements for an applied science degree from the McKelvey School of Engineering. In addition, there are the following departmental course requirements:

Computer Science Core Requirements (21 units total)

Students must complete all of the following courses with grades of C– or better:

CSE 1301Introduction to Computer Science3
CSE 1302Introduction to Computer Engineering3
CSE 2400Logic and Discrete Mathematics3
or MATH 3010 Foundations for Higher Mathematics
CSE 2407Data Structures and Algorithms3
CSE 3302Object-Oriented Software Development Laboratory3
CSE 3407Analysis of Algorithms3
CSE 3601Introduction to Systems Software3
Total Units21

Systems Requirement (3 units)

Students must complete one of the following with a grade of C– or better:

CSE 4202Operating Systems Organization3
CSE 4205Programming Systems and Languages3
CSE 4301Translation of Computer Languages3
CSE 4303Introduction to Computer Security3
CSE 4304Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis3
CSE 4703Introduction to Computer Networks3

Methods Requirement (3 units)

Students must complete one of the following with a grade of C– or better:

CSE 2506Introduction to Human-Centered Design3
CSE 4101AI and Society3
CSE 4102Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSE 4106Data Science for Complex Networks3
CSE 4107Introduction to Machine Learning *3
or ESE 4170 Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Classification
CSE 4402Introduction to Cryptography3
CSE 4507Introduction to Visualization3
CSE 4608Introduction to Quantum Computing3
*

ESE 4170 Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Classification would not count toward the required two CSE courses at the 4000+ level and would be counted as an out-of-department course.

Computer Science Technical Elective Requirements

Students must complete 15 additional units (five courses) of CSE Technical Electives, which can come from any CSE classroom course including Systems and Methods Courses.

Overall Degree Restrictions

Up to 6 units total can come from a combination of approved CSE Independent Study (CSE 4001 Independent Study, CSE 4970 Senior Project I, CSE 4971 Senior Project II, or CSE 4975 Undergraduate Honors Thesis) or approved courses from other departments (e.g., ESE 4170 Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Classification). Courses taken in other departments must have significant technical computing content, including those outside of the McKelvey School of Engineering. Students must complete the Elective Request form to request review of non-CSE courses. Students with interests in a particular area of computing should refer to the technical elective course sequences for suggestions on which courses are relevant to that area.

At least two courses must be CSE classroom courses at the 4000 level or higher. 

All courses must be taken for a grade. Core, Systems, and Methods requirements require a C– or better. All other courses require a passing grade. 

Math Requirements

MATH 1510Calculus I3
MATH 1520Calculus II3
MATH 2130Calculus III3
MATH 3300Matrix Algebra3
or ENGR 3180 Engineering Mathematics A
ESE 3260Probability and Statistics for Engineering3-6
or SDS 3020 Elementary to Intermediate Statistics and Data Analysis
or SDS 5212 Statistics for Data Science I
or DAT 1200
DAT 1201
Managerial Statistics I
and Managerial Statistics II

Upon completing a course in the calculus sequence (MATH 1510 Calculus I-MATH 1520 Calculus II-MATH 2130 Calculus III) with a grade of C+ or better, the student may apply to receive credit for the preceding courses in the calculus sequence by following the Department of Mathematics' back credit policy.

Additional Departmental Requirements

CWP 150XCollege Writing3
Humanities and social sciences electives18
Natural sciences electives8
Total Units29

The College Writing Program, humanities, and social sciences requirements are required of all students in the McKelvey School of Engineering. 

The natural sciences requirement is for 8 units designated NSM (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) from any of the following departments: Anthropology; Biology; Chemistry; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; Environmental Studies; or Physics. The College Writing Program and natural sciences courses must be completed with a grade of C– or better.

All courses taken to meet any of the above requirements (with the exception of the humanities and social sciences electives) cannot be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

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