The Computer Science undergraduate program is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC) of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Science Emphasis Information Systems Emphasis Digital Systems Emphasis The following document is intended as a guide for Computer Science majors. Students should not hesitate to consult with their advisor and/or the Department Head if they have questions or concerns about advanced standing or graduation requirements. Effective for students beginning degree Fall Semester 2002 Expected Undergraduate Outcomes All students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Utah State University will be expected to show mastery as follows: 1. Graduates will be proficient in programming in at least two programming languages that have significance in industry. 2. Graduates will master the core curriculum in: a. Data Structures and Algorithms b. Computer Architecture and Organization c. Programming Languages d. Operating Systems e. Theory of Computing f. Software Engineering 3. Graduates will understand the practices and dynamics required to develop software whether it be a single program or a major software product developed in a team environment. 4. Graduates will gain proficiency in the use of mathematical tools including calculus, elementary statistics, and probability. 5. Graduates will have sufficient mastery of fundamental knowledge to be life long learners in computer science. 6. Graduates will understand the social and ethical issues, which face computer scientists, and thus be able to contribute in a positive and productive manner to society. 7. Graduates will be able to communicate information effectively both in writing and orally.
NOTES 1. All computer science majors must complete all requirements in the core curriculum. The core curriculum includes courses in computer science, mathematics & statistics, science, ethics & social issues, speech, and a set of upper division computer science and/or electrical computer engineering elective classes. In addition to these core courses, students must complete all requirements for one of the three departmental emphases; Science, Information Systems, or Digital Systems. 2. Each student should meet with her/his adviser at least yearly and preferably each semester. Adviser approval, when obtained, must be a written document included in a student s file. 3. All required courses, CS and non-cs, must be completed with a grade of at least C-, i.e., P/F is not allowed for these courses. 4. The semester(s) in which courses are shown as being offered are only tentative. Please check the schedule bulletin for the actual semester(s) offered. 5. In order to enroll in computer science classes numbered 3000 and above, advanced standing must be attained. See the advanced standing definition and application form included in this document. 6. As part of their undergraduate program, every major must complete at least 19 semester credits of upper division computer science or other adviser approved upper division classes.. 7. In order to graduate in computer science, a student must complete, 30 credits of non-major breadth classes in the areas of communications, English, languages, humanities and arts, and social sciences. A student should work closely with their adviser to be certain the courses taken to meet this requirement are acceptable. 8. As part of every major s program, the total credits in mathematics and science must be at least 30 credits. Of these, at least 12 credits must be in approved science courses and at least 15 credits must be in approved mathematics courses. 9. For the Bachelor s degree, a student must complete at least 40 semester credits of upper division course work, i.e., courses numbered 3000 or above. Utah State University Computer Science Department Logan, UT 84322-4205 Phone: (435) 797-2451 Fax: (435) 797-3265 USUCS@CC.USU.EDU 2 Revised May 7, 2002
STANDARDS FOR ADVANCED STANDING, CLASS ENROLLMENT, AND GRADUATION IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Effective for ALL STUDENTS entering, transferring, or changing major to Computer Science beginning Fall 2000. The following document is intended as a guide for Computer Science majors. Students should not hesitate to consult with their advisor and/or the Department Head if they have questions or concerns about advanced standing or graduation requirements. Computer Science majors must have advanced standing or written permission to register for upper division (>3000 level) Computer Science classes and 3000 or above Electrical and Computer Engineering courses. The following document describes the procedures and requirements that must be met in order to attain and retain advanced standing. Majors should discuss these requirements with their adviser. To attain advanced standing a student must demonstrate adequate proficiency in the following CS core and required mathematics classes. This proficiency will be measured by: 1. Achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C- or better in one of the following core course sequences, or their equivalent, as determined by the Computer Science Department. Science Emphasis: CS 1700, 1710, 1720, 2200, 2370, 2550, 2560, 3000, and Math 1210, 1220, 3310 or Information Systems Emphasis: CS 1700, 1710, 1720, 2200, 2370, 2550, 2560, 3000, and Math 1210, 1220, 3310 or Digital Systems Emphasis: CS 1700, 1710, 1720, 2200, 2370, 3000, ECE 2530, ECE 2540 and Math 1210, 1220, 3310 The cumulative GPA will be computed using USU and transfer credits where those transfer credits are applied to advanced standing courses. For these courses, there may be a total of no more than three repeats. If a course is repeated, the final grade achieved will be used in determining a student s advanced standing GPA. 2. Have an overall cumulative USU GPA of at least 2.5. 3. Pass the department undergraduate placement exam. 3
The undergraduate placement exam is offered once prior to the start of each semester. There is no limit to the number of times a student can take the exam. Students apply for advanced standing by completing the advanced standing form (obtained from the Department or in this document) and submitting it to the Computer Science Department. Students may apply for advanced standing during any semester. Advanced standing should be acquired before the first semester in which advanced standing classes are taken. If a student has satisfactorily completed all prerequisite courses for a 3000-level CS course, is making satisfactory progress to meet the advanced standing requirement, and their schedule requires that the 3000-level CS course be taken before all advanced standing courses are completed, they may petition the Department for written permission (a waiver) to register for the course(s) without advanced standing. While granting of such permission is not automatic, no more than two semesters of such waivers may be granted. A student found in violation of University or Departmental standards of conduct, may lose advanced standing and/or be terminated as a major. Any course listed as a required course for Computer Science majors, regardless of the Department offering the course, must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Required courses must be taken for a grade. For example, for a CS/Science emphasis, Econ 1500 could be taken pass/fail, but for an Information Systems Emphasis, it must be taken for a grade and the grade must be C- or better. A student who receives a grade below C- in a class, cannot register for a class for which that class is a prerequisite until they have retaken it and received a grade of at least C-. To graduate from Utah State University with a degree in Computer Science, in addition to meeting all College and University graduation requirements, a Computer Science major must meet the following departmental graduation requirements. 1. Attained a grade of C- or better in every course required for graduation, including required computer science and required on-computer science courses. 2. Hold advanced standing. 3. Have no more than one CS5000-level class with a final grade below C- on her/his transcript. 4. All University property has been returned (e.g., keys, etc.). 4
ADVANCED STANDING APPLICATION STUDENT NAME DATE PHONE # SSN USU EMAIL ADDRESS YEAR & SEMESTER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS EMPHASIS (CIRCLE ONE): SCIENCE DIGITAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS CLASS (OR TRANSFER) GRADE CREDIT YEAR & SEMESTER TAKEN CS 1700 CS 1710 CS 1720 CS 2200 CS 2370 CS 2550 or ECE 2530 CS 2560 or ECE 2540 CS 3000 MATH 1210 MATH 1220 MATH 2250 MATH 3310 DEPARTMENTAL USE ONLY: ADVANCED STANDING CLASS GPA: NUMBER CORE OF REPEATS: OVERALL CUMULATIVE GPA: APPROVED: DATE: Departmental Signature 5 Revised Aug. 19, 2002