Computer Science, Big Data Concentration, B.S.

Computer Science General Information

Computer Science majors must satisfactorily meet the requirements of the University Studies Program (USP), and they must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, at least 42 of which must be upper division hours.

Note that some of the courses required for the Computer Science core or the concentrations will meet some of the USP requirements. Students do not have to take additional courses to meet those requirements.

All courses in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics must be completed with a grade of C or better. 

University Studies Program

The University Studies Program 2015  

• FYS- First Year - Seminar Credits: 3
• COM 1 - Communication 1 Credits: 3
• COM 2 - Communication 2 Credits: 3
• COM 3 - Communication 3 Credits: 3
• Q - - Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 3
• PN - - Physical and Natural World (1) Credits: 3
• PN - - Physical and Natural World (2) Credits: 3
• H - - Human Culture (1) Credits: 3
• H - - Human Culture (2) Credits: 3
• V - - U.S. & WY Constitution Credits: 3

Mathematics and Science Courses:

• MATH 2200 - Calculus I Credits: 4
• MATH 2205 - Calculus II Credits: 4
• MATH 2250 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 3
• STAT 2050 - Fundamentals of Statistics Credits: 4
• COSC 2300 - Discrete Structures Credits: 3

• OR

• MATH 2300 - Discrete Structures Credits: 3
• Approved Science Course - 4 credits
• Approved Science Course - 4 credits
• Approved Math/Science Elective - 4 credits

• ---

  ABET requires a minimum of 30 Math/Science credits hours.

   

  Math electives means any MATH course above Calculus II or STAT courses 3000 and up.

   

  Exceptions:  cannot count MATH 2350, MATH 2355, MATH 4000, STAT 4220 or any variable credit courses toward this requirement.

   

  Courses meeting the Science requirement must have a lab component and be for science or engineering majors.  See Department web pages for a current list of approved courses.

Computer Science Courses

• Introductory Programming Course - Choose one of:

• COSC 1010 - Introduction to Computer Science I Credits: 3

• OR

• COSC 1015 - Introduction to Programming for Data Science Credits: 3

• ---

   

• COSC 1030 - Computer Science I Credits: 4
• COSC 2030 - Computer Science II Credits: 4
• COSC 2150 - Computer Organization Credits: 3
• COSC 3011 - Introduction to Software Design Credits: 3
• COSC 3015 - Functional Programming Credits: 3
• COSC 3020 - Algorithms and Data Structures Credits: 4
• COSC 3050 - Ethics for the Computer Professional Credits: 1
• COSC 3765 - Computer Security Credits: 3

• ---

   

• Theory Course - Choose one of:

• COSC 4100 - Foundations of Computing Credits: 3

• OR

• COSC 4200 - Computability and Complexity Credits: 3

• Operating Systems - Choose one of:

• COSC 4740 - Operating Systems Design Credits: 4

• OR

• COSC 3750 - Linux Programming for System Applications Credits: 3

• Programming Language Course - Choose one of:

• COSC 4780 - Principles of Programming Languages Credits: 3

• OR

• COSC 4785 - Compiler Construction Credits: 3

• Systems Course - Choose one of:

• COSC 4760 - Computer Networks Credits: 3

• OR

• COSC 4820 - Database Systems Credits: 3

• ---

   

• COSC 4950 - Senior Design I Credits: 1
• COSC 4955 - Senior Design II Credits: 2

Concentration Requirements

Big data is high volume, high velocity, and/or high variety assets that require new forms of processing to enable enhanced decision making, insight discovery and process optimization. The Big Data Concentration directs the students toward data handling (AI, visualization, data mining, and machine learning) courses and data analysis (statistics) courses.

Students should take the following courses to fulfill the Big Data Concentration.

In addition, students who wish to pursue a Big Data concentration are required to complete a minor in Statistics.

• COSC 4450 - Computer Graphics Credits: 3
• COSC 4550 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
• COSC 4555 - Machine Learning Credits: 3
• COSC 4570 - Data Mining Credits: 3
• Courses for Statistics Minor
• General Electives to reach 120 credits.

A total of 3 credits of COSC 3970 can be used.

General Electives include any course at or above the 1000 level, not used to complete any other requirement.

Electives should be selected to meet the 42 hour requirement for Upper Division credits.

Computer Science Program Educational Objectives

The following are the objectives that the Computer Science program is preparing its graduates to achieve:

Success: Graduates will be employed in a computer science-related field or making progress toward an advanced graduate degree.
Growing: Graduates show continued learning and leading in computing-related professions.
Ethics: Graduates exhibit ethical and responsible behavior in all professional and community endeavors.

Computer Science - Student Learning Outcomes

The program of study in Computer Science enables students to achieve, by the time of graduation:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.