SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
Computer Science Curriculum
The core computer science
curriculum establishes a foundation in programming, discrete
mathematics, program design, computer organization, data structures,
and programming language fundamentals. Students apply these
fundamentals with hands-on problem solving in systems programming,
data base management, and scientific visualization.
The computing
portion of the curriculum is completed with electives from any of
the computing programs at Penn State Erie (CMPBD, CENBD, SE BD,
MISBD); the University Park campus (CMPSC, CMPEN, IST); the
Harrisburg campus (COMPS); or elsewhere in the Penn State system.
Students are encouraged to complete a research project (CMPBD 494)
or a computer science internship (CMPBD 495) as an elective.
The computer
science curriculum is complemented by a rich program of study in
mathematics and the natural sciences. Required courses in
mathematics include calculus, matrices, differential equations, and
probability and statistics. Students are also required to take
calculus-based physics and an introductory course in either biology
or chemistry.
The required
courses are followed with at least 10 additional credits in science
or mathematics. Students may focus on biology, chemistry, computer
science, mathematics, or physics, or they may choose to generalize
by spreading the credits among courses in several sciences. Students
are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisors to
develop a sound academic plan.
The Computer Science major includes general education electives in Communications, Arts, and Humanities and the Social and Behavioral Sciences and nine "supporting area" credits.
Most University courses can be used to satisfy this requirement, including up to 6 credits of ROTC. Students in the major are also encouraged to participate in one of the many Penn State sponsored foreign study programs.
A minimum of 124 credits is required to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. You must earn a grade of C or better in each 300- and 400-level course in the major field.