Computer Science (BSCS)
BSCS Program Educational Objectives
Students in this program will:
- Practice in a computer science related profession and/or pursue advanced studies in computer science or related discipline.
- Use effective oral and written communication skills.
- Participate in collaborative environments.
- Become leaders in their chosen field.
- Exhibit a sense of professional ethics and civic responsibility.
BSCS Student Outcomes
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. Students in this program will be able 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.
Admission Requirements
Students are allowed to declare their major as Computer Science upon matriculation to Baylor. Current Baylor students who wish to switch to the BSCS must submit a change of major form through BearWeb.
Requirements for a Major in Computer Science (BSCS)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum GPA - 2.0 ("C") Overall | ||
| Minimum Hours in Residence | (60) | |
| Minimum Advanced Hours (for UG: 3000- or 4000-level courses) | (36) | |
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Literature and Writing | ||
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| PWR 3300 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Great Text Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Intellectual Traditions of the Ancient World : Literature and Thought | ||
| Medieval Intellectual Traditions: Literature and Thought in Context | ||
| Great Texts in the Origins of Science | ||
| Great Texts in Modern Science | ||
| Literature | ||
| Select 3 hrs. from the following: | 3 | |
| American Literary Cultures | ||
Any Foreign Literature | ||
| Contemporary Social Issues | ||
| Select 3 hours from the corresponding A&S Distribution List (HIS 1300 included) | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Issues Distribution List (AS) | ||
| Religion | ||
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| Foreign Language and Culture | ||
| Foreign Language and Culture Distribution List (ECS) | 3 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| CSI 1101 | Computer Science and Informatics New Student Experience | 1 |
| CSS 1302 | Public Speaking for Business and Professional Students | 3 |
| PHI 3180 | Character and Computing | 1 |
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| Lifetime Fitness: Any two LF 11XX courses. | 2 | |
| Chapel: Two Semesters | 0 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MTH 1321 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MTH 1322 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MTH 2311 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| or MTH 2321 | Calculus III | |
| STA 3381 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Sciences | ||
| Select one group from the following natural or physical sciences: | 8 | |
| Group 1: | ||
| Modern Concepts of Bioscience and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | ||
| Modern Concepts of Bioscience, continued and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | ||
| Group 2: | ||
| Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Group 3: | ||
| The Dynamic Earth and Dynamic Earth Laboratory | ||
| The Earth Through Time and The Earth Through Time, Laboratory | ||
| Group 4: | ||
| General Physics for Natural and Behavioral Sciences I | ||
| General Physics for Natural and Behavioral Sciences II | ||
| Or | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Six to eight additional hours of science from the courses above or from courses have one or more of the above courses as prerequisites. If a '1000' level course is chosen from the list above, the coordinating lab must be taken as well. | 6-8 | |
| Computer Science Major | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| CSI 1430 | Introduction to Computer Science I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CSI 1440 | Introduction to Computer Science II with Laboratory | 4 |
| CSI 2334 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 3 |
| CSI 2350 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CSI 3334 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CSI 3335 | Database Design and Applications | 3 |
| CSI 3336 | Systems Programming | 3 |
| CSI 3344 | Introduction to Algorithms | 3 |
| CSI 3351 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CSI 3372 | Software Engineering II | 3 |
| CSI 3471 | Software Engineering I | 4 |
| CSI 4321 | Data Communications | 3 |
| CSI 4323 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CSI 4330 | Foundations of Computing | 3 |
| CSI 4337 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSI 43C9 | Capstone Design Project | 3 |
| Computer Science Electives | ||
| Select 6 hrs. from the following: | 6 | |
| Numerical Methods | ||
| Computer Organization | ||
| Principles of Software Design | ||
| Software Quality Assurance and Testing | ||
| Software Project Management | ||
| Special Topics in Intermediate Computer Science | ||
| Internship Experience | ||
| Cybersecurity Laboratory (3 semesters required for CSI Elective credit) | ||
| Competitive Learning (3 semesters required for CSI Elective credit) | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Advanced Cybersecurity | ||
| Numerical Linear Algebra | ||
| Database Design I | ||
| Computer Graphics | ||
| Gaming Platform Frameworks | ||
| Object-Oriented Development | ||
| Introduction to Data Mining | ||
| Special Topics in Computer Science | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| A grade of “C” or better is required in all computer science hours counted toward major. | ||
| Note: Additional elective hrs. to reach 124 hrs. minimum may be required. | ||
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
For students in Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, BIC courses will satisfy the following requirements: Literature in Context and the Contemporary Social Issues distribution lists; CSS 1302; ENG 1310; GTX 2301/GTX 2302; Foreign Language and Culture; REL 1310, REL 1350; PHI 3180; PSC 1387; PWR 3300; and 1 LF.