Computer Science

The B.S. degree in Computer Science provides a broad knowledge of computing and is designed for students who desire: (a) to pursue graduate work in computer science and (b) to work on the development and support of software projects in a diverse range of specialized areas. The Computer Science degree consists of a set of core courses and a 15-unit senior electives package. The core of the program covers programming languages, computer system organization, operating systems, data structures, software engineering, computation theory and societal implications in computing. The senior electives package allows students to specialize in such fields as artificial intelligence, embedded applications, networking, gaming, graphics, software engineering and security.

The B.S. in Computer Science program requires a total of 120 units, including General Education requirements, major core courses and a 15-unit senior electives package. To graduate, a student must complete a minimum of 18 residency units from the list of upper division required courses listed below, in addition to all other institutional residency requirements.

Laptop Requirement

All incoming freshmen and transfer students in the Computer Science major are required to have personal and continuous access to a laptop computer when they enter the program. This laptop must meet the minimum requirements of the Computer Science department. For questions about this requirement, please contact the Department of Computer Science at (818) 677-3398. See Laptop Requirement—Minimum Specification for detailed information regarding the laptop and software specifications. Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department for assistance associated with required technology costs.

Special Grade Requirements

Carefully check course prerequisites, as many courses in the major require grades of “C” or better in prerequisite courses.

No grade lower than a “C” will be accepted on transfer from another institution to satisfy Computer Science requirements. Where specific grade requirements are not specified, no CSUN grade lower than a “C-” will be accepted for courses required in the Computer Science program.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (38-40 units)

2. Lower Division Science Electives (8-9 units)

Select one of the following life science courses with lab (4 units):

BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 107 and BIOL 107L Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 110 and GEOL 112 The Fossil Record of Ancient Life on Earth and Lab (3/1)*

Select one of the following physical science courses with lab (4-5 units):

CHEM 101 and CHEM 101D and CHEM 101L General Chemistry I and Discussion and Lab (3/1/1)
GEOG 101 and GEOG 102 The Physical Environment and Lab (3/1)
GEOG 103 and GEOG 105 Weather and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 101 and GEOL 102 Geology of Planet Earth and Lab (3/1)
GEOL 110 and GEOL 112 The Fossil Record of Ancient Life on Earth and Lab (3/1)*
PHYS 220A and PHYS 220AL Mechanics and Lab (3/1)

*GEOL 110 and GEOL 112 can be used to satisfy at most one of the above requirements.

3. Upper Division Required Courses (29 units)

Before taking upper division courses in Computer Science, students must be admitted to the Computer Science major/minor programs, the Computer Information Technology major program, the Data Science minor program, the Computer Engineering major program or the Information Systems/Information Technology major program.

4. Upper Division Electives (15 units)

Computer Science majors are required to take 15 units of senior electives.

The senior electives must consist of 15 units of 400- or 500-level courses in Computer Science (not COMP 482, 490/L, 491/L, 492, 494, 499, or 502). The electives may include MATH 481A (Numerical Analysis) as 3 of the 15 units.

Requests for taking a 400- or 500-level course as a senior elective that does not meet the requirements stated above must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and by the department chair prior to enrollment in the course.

It is strongly recommended that students discuss their career goals with an advisor prior to selecting their senior electives. The advisor will suggest appropriate courses for the student to consider.

5. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

18 units are satisfied by coursework in the major. PHIL 230 satisfies A3 Critical Thinking; Lower division science electives satisfy sections B1-3; MATH 150A satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; COMP 310 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning; and COMP 110/L or COMP 111B/L satisfies E Lifelong Learning.

Total Units in the Major: 90-93

General Education Units: 30

Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120-123