Course Planning

Suggested Course Plan for Computer Science Majors

A student who plans to graduate with a major in computer science should follow the plan described below as "Computer Science Major" or "Computer Science Major (alternative)". Doing so will ensure that the student is making reasonable progress toward the degree and will have the proper prerequisites for computer science courses as she encounters them. Note that Intro to Computer Systems and Data Structures can be taken in either order.

Remember that you will probably be interviewing for jobs during your senior year. Following this outline will prepare you with the knowledge you will need for that process.

Computer Science Major

First Year
101 and 102 Object-Oriented Programming
Calculus I or Discrete Math

Second Year
211 Data Structures
221 Intro to Computer Systems and 312 Algorithms
Calculus I, II or Discrete Math

Third Year
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
300-level elective

Fourth Year
300-level elective

Computer Science Major (alternative - spring start)

First Year
101 Object-Oriented Programming
Calculus I or Discrete Math

Second Year
102 Advanced Object-Oriented Programming
221 Intro to Computer Systems
Calculus I or Discrete Math

Third Year
211 Data Structures
312 Algorithms
300-level elective

Fourth Year
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
300-level elective

Computer Science Major (alternative - sophomore start)

Second Year
101 and 102 Object-Oriented Programming
Calculus I or Discrete Math

Third Year
211 Data Structures
221 Intro to Computer Systems
312 Algorithms
311 Theory of Computation

Fourth Year
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
300-level elective

Students planning to graduate with honor should follow a different plan. This plan is more accelerated and ambitious. It includes courses that are important to the Graduate Record Examinations, should she choose to apply to graduate school, and prepares her with the necessary basics for an honors project.

Computer Science Major with Honor

Read more about Honors in Computer Science...

First Year
101 and 102 Object-Oriented Programming
Calculus I, II or Discrete Math

Second Year
211 Data Structures
221 Intro to Computer Systems and 312 Algorithms
Calculus I, II or Discrete Math

Third Year
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
Artificial Intelligence and/or Theory of Computation
300 level elective
Independent Study (4 credits of CS-395 for preparation for honors.)
Complete honors proposal and have it approved

Fourth Year
300 level electives
Independent Study (8-12 credits of CS-395 for honors work and thesis)