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Page updated on 09-June-2010

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Computer Science

Gullickson Hall, Room 112
Phone: 304-696-5453
Email: cite@marshall.edu
Dr. Bill Pierson, Division Chair

Program Description

This is an updated program description that applies to all students admitted beginning Summer, 2010.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program prepares students for careers in computer science through learning based on practice and grounded in theory. Students learn how to analyze, design, build, test, and deploy computer based systems by making technical trade offs between performance, scalability, availability, reliability, security, maintainability, cost and societal impact. Marshall's computing facilities are state-of-the-art and readily available to students.

Admission and Transfer Criteria

Minimum requirements for admission into the Computer Science major for first-time freshmen are

Minimum requirements for admission into the Computer Science major for transfer students, whether from within Marshall University or from another institution, are:

Since enrollment may be limited, prospective students are encouraged to apply for admission as soon as possible and are urged to contact an advisor.

For those desiring to major in computer sciences who do not meet the admission or transfer criteria listed above:

Pre-Computer Science students must complete the criteria for transfer students to Computer Science. Registration for Computer Science courses will be limited until transfer criteria are met.

B.S. Degree Requirements

The B.S. degree program requires 120 credit hours (CH) of coursework. Students are advised to pay careful attention to General Education requirements; please consult an advisor.

1. Core Curriculum

Core I (9 CH)

Core II (18 CH)

Additional University Requirements

Freshmen transfer students must complete Core I at Marshall. Core II can be completed with Marshall or transfer courses.

Transfers with 26 or more credit hours must complete one CT course but are exempt from the remaining Core I requirements. Core II can be completed with Marshall or transfer courses.

2. Mathematics (13 CH)

3. Science (12-15 CH)

Choose any three courses with labs from the following science areas:

4. Business and Communication (9 hrs)

5. Computer Science (40 CH)

6. Computer Science Electives (minimum 6 CH)

Choose at least two of the following electives:

7. Free Electives

Students may choose additional CS courses, liberal arts courses, courses towards a minor, or any other courses according to personal preference.

A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation.

Minor in Computer Science

A student may be awarded a minor in Computer Science by completing a minimum of 15 credit hours that include the following courses:

Please consult your advisor for more information.

Four Year Curriculum Plan Template

The following plan is a sample; please consult an advisor when creating your own plan of study.

Freshman Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 110 - Computer Science I3 CS 120 - Computer Science II 3
 ENG 101 - English Composition I3  Communication3
 Fine Arts3 MTH 220 - Discrete Structures3
 FYS 100 - First Year Seminar3 MTH 229 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I5
 MTH 132 - Pre-Calculus with Science Applications (P)5 Social Science (CT)3
 Total CH17 Total CH17

Sophomore Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 210 - Algorithm Analysis and Design 3 CS 215 - Advanced Algorithm Analysis and Design3
 ENG 201 - Advanced Composition 3 CS 300 - Programming Languages3
 ENGR 221 - Engineering Economy 3 CS 305 - Software Engineering I3
 MTH 230 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 4 MTH 329 - Elementary Linear Algebra3
 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4
 Total CH17 Total CH16

Junior Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 320 - Internetworking 3 CS 340 - Cyber Security 3
 CS 330 - Operating Systems 3 CS 350 - Database Engineering 3
 ENG 354 - Scientific and Technical Writing3 ENGR 204 - Introduction to Digital Systems 4
 MGT 320 - Principles of Management I 3 ENGR 451 - Introduction to Project Management3
 MTH 345 - Applied Probability and Statistics3   
 Total CH15 Total CH13

Senior Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 360 - Automata and Formal Languages3 CS 490 - Senior Project I3
 CS Elective I3 CS Elective II3
 Humanities (CT, W)3 Free Elective I (W)3
 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4 Free Elective II3
 Total CH13 Total CH12

Legend:
CT - Critical Thinking designated course
P - Placement is based on ACT/SAT Math scores
W - Writing Intensive designated course

The current through Spring 2010 Computer Science program description is available here.

PRE-COMPUTER SCIENCE

This is an updated program description that applies to all students admitted beginning Summer, 2010.

Students interested in pursuing a degree in computer science who have a minimum composite ACT score of 19 and Math ACT scores of 19-23 (SAT composite 900; Math 460-550), will be admitted into Pre-Computer Science until all of the following minimum requirements are met:

In order to transfer into the computer science program offered at Marshall, students must meet the Math ACT requirement or complete the requirements listed above for Pre-Computer Science majors. This pertains to transfer students within Marshall or from another institution.

Once all requirements listed above have been met, students will be transferred to the computer science major.

Pre-Computer Science Curriculum Plan Template

The following plan is a sample. Each student should meet with their faculty advisor early in the program to develop an individual plan of study since requirements will vary based on math courses completed.

Freshman Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 ENG 101 - English Composition I3 CS 110 - Computer Science I3
 Fine Arts3 Communication 3
 FYS 100 - First Year Seminar3  Humanities (CT, W)3
 MTH 127 - College Algebra - Expanded Version5 MTH 132 - Pre-Calculus with Science Applications5
 or MTH 130 - College Algebra (P)3 Social Science (CT)3
 UNI 101 - New Student Seminar1   
 Total CH13-15 Total CH17

Sophomore Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 120 - Computer Science II 3 CS 210 - Algorithm Analysis and Design 3
 ENG 354 - Scientific and Technical Writing3 CS 305 - Software Engineering I3
 ENGR 221 - Engineering Economy 3  ENG 201 - Advanced Composition3
 MTH 229 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I5 MTH 220 - Discrete Structures3
    MTH 230 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 4
 Total CH14 Total CH16

Junior Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 320 - Internetworking 3 CS 215 - Advanced Algorithm Analysis and Design 3
 CS 330 - Operating Systems 3 CS 300 - Programming Languages3
 MTH 329 - Elementary Linear Algebra3 CS 340 - Cyber Security 3
 MTH 345 - Applied Probability and Statistics3 CS 350 - Database Engineering 3
 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4
 Total CH16 Total CH16

Senior Year

 Fall Semester Spring Semester
 CS 360 - Automata and Formal Languages3 CS 490 - Senior Project I3
 CS Elective I3 ENGR 204 - Introduction to Digital Systems 4
 ENGR 451 - Introduction to Project Management3 CS Elective II3
 MGT 320 - Principles of Management I 3 Free Elective (W)3
 Science with Lab (see degree requirements)4   
 Total CH16 Total CH13

Legend:
CT - Critical Thinking designated course
P - Placement is based on ACT/SAT Math scores
W - Writing Intensive designated course

The current through Spring 2010 Pre-Computer Science program description is available here.

Curriculum Sheet

Here is a curriculum sheet (PDF format) that recaps the above information.

Program-Related Links

Prior Computer Science program description.

www.acm.org - Association for Computing Machinery

www.computer.org - IEEE Computer Society