Mar 28, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 [Archived Catalog]

Computer Science Major (B.S.C.S.)


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Major code BS7260

The computer science program is administered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The School is the beneficiary of a major endowment from the late Dr. C. Paul Stocker, an electrical engineering alumnus. This endowment provides support for facilities and a level of excellence surpassed by few other electrical engineering and computer science departments in the nation. Its laboratories and offices are located in Stocker Center and the Convocation Center. The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S) degree through the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, which is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4014— telephone: 410.347.7000.

Computer science involves the design, development, analysis, and maintenance of the computer software that controls complex computer systems and networks. Computer scientists work with all aspects of computer software, including graphics, multimedia, the World Wide Web, e-mail, compilers, software engineering, artificial intelligence, theory of computer algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and Internet applications.

While writing programs is an important function for computer scientists, they do much more than that. They analyze the needs of software users, develop algorithms and interfaces to meet those needs, and work in small groups to design software components. They must be proficient at problem solving, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and interpersonal communication. The computer science program at Ohio University, because of its strong ties with mathematics and engineering, emphasizes both the mathematical and the practical components of computer science.

The computer science program has three major objectives for its undergraduate students:

  • Depth and Breadth: Produce graduates that will have the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge necessary to be productive upon entering the workforce or successful in advanced study;
  • Staying Current: Produce graduates that will maintain and develop the knowledge and skills needed to identify, formulate, and solve problems throughout their careers; and
  • Professionalism: Produce graduates that exhibit an understanding of the necessity for personal integrity, ethical behavior, and cultural awareness.

Program educational objectives are statements that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation.

Computer science students must fulfill the University’s General Education requirements and the humanities and social science distribution requirements from the College of Arts and Sciences. Students are also required to complete one year of foreign language. Students have the option of completing four technical courses (OPTION B [PBIO 114 or BIOS 170, PBIO 115 or BIOS 171, PBIO 331 or BIOS 325, PBIO 427], E [MATH 340, E E 304, E E 313, E E 314], or G [VICO 462, VICO 314, VICO 361, VICO 371]), or an additional year of foreign language (OPTION L). (See the College of Arts and Sciences for the requirement waiver policy for international students and foreign language completed in high school.) There are 10 required courses in mathematics, engineering, and basic sciences, which provide a foundation for the 14 required courses in computer science and electrical engineering. These courses culminate with C S 456, where students are required to complete a capstone software project. Students take four technical elective courses, in which they can explore areas of computer science at an advanced level. During the course of their program, students work with several programming languages using both personal computers and UNIX workstations.

Computer science majors must complete 192 hours of coursework for an average of 16 hours a quarter over four years of undergraduate study. Credit earned in approved internship or co-op programs may be applied toward graduation requirements.

Due to the prerequisite requirements of OPTION E, students following that option must take PHYS 251, PHYS 252, and PHYS 253. Students following OPTIONS B, G, or L may take either physics (PHYS 2251, 252, and 253) or chemistry (CHEM 151, 152, 153, or 123), as their science sequence. Example programs of study are provided below for options E and L.

Option E (1 year foreign language,1 year technical courses)


Freshman


Fall


 

  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5
  • Freshman Composition Credit Hours: 5
    see footnote 2
  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Winter


  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Spring


  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5
  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Sophomore


Fall


  • Additional Science Course Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 1

Spring


Junior


Fall


  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5

Winter


  • Junior English Composition Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 2

Spring


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 5
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5

Senior


Fall


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 6–10
    See footnote 5

Winter


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Social science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–6
    See footnote 5

Spring


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 6–10
    See footnote 6

Option L (2 years foreign language)


Freshman


Fall


  • Science Sequence Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 1
  • Freshman Composition Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 2
  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Winter


  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Spring


  • Science Sequence Credit Hours: 4–5
    see footnote 1
  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3

Sophomore


Fall


  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 3
  • Science Sequence Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 1

Winter


  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    see footnote 3
  • Additional Science Course Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 1

Spring


  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5
  • Foreign Language Credit Hours: 4
    see footnote 4

Junior


Fall


  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 6–10
    See footnote 5

Winter


  • Junior English Composition Credit Hours: 4
    See footnote 2
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5

Spring


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5

Senior


Fall


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 6–10
    See footnote 5

Winter


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Social Science or Humanities Credit Hours: 3–5
    See footnote 5

Spring


  • Technical Elective Credit Hours: 5
    See footnote 6
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 1–3

Footnotes


  1. Computer science majors must complete 18 hours of science, including a year-long laboratory science sequence: either PHYS 251, 252, and 253 or CHEM 151, 152, and (123 or 153). *NOTE THAT STUDENTS TAKING OPTION E, ABOVE, MUST TAKE THE PHYSICS SEQUENCE. In addition, students must complete one additional natural science course. Eligible courses include BIOS 170, 171, 275; CHEM 151 (if not taken to satisfy the year-long sequence requirement), 241, 305, 351, 453; PBIO 114, 248; GEOL 101, 480; ASTR 305; PHYS 251 (if not taken to satisfy year-long sequence requirement), 254, 311, 411, 423, 427. PHYS 251 has a prerequisite of MATH 263A, so you may need to wait until winter quarter to start the PHYS sequence.
  2. The Tier I freshman composition requirement can be satisfied any quarter of the freshman year. The Tier I junior composition requirement can be satisfied in any quarter of the junior year; ENG 305J is preferred. The Tier III requirement is satisfied by C S 456.
  3. Computer science majors must take either two years of foreign language, or one year of foreign language and courses required for either options B, E, or G. Two or three years of high school foreign language fulfill one year of the foreign language requirement; four or more years of high school foreign language fulfill two years of the foreign language requirement.
  4. Students without experience in computer programming are encouraged to take C S 210 Computer Programming I before taking C S 240A.
  5. Computer science majors must complete 45 hours of course work in the humanities and social sciences. Computer science majors fulfill five hours in English via the freshman composition requirement, and four hours via the junior composition requirement. In addition, students complete at least 18 hours of humanities and 18 hours of social science. All courses that meet either the College of Arts and Science Humanities designation or Social Sciences designation can be used to satisfy these requirements, with the exception of computer science, mathematics, or electrical engineering courses. Careful selection of courses under this requirement will also fulfill University Tier II requirements.
  6. Computer science majors have the same humanities and social science requirements as the College of Arts and Sciences (see College of Arts and Sciences “College Requirements” section). The natural science portion of the requirements is fulfilled by required coursework in mathematics and science. Careful selection of courses under this requirement will also fulfill University Tier II requirements.
  7. Computer science technical electives can be satisfied at any time; four classes are required. Students can select from MATH 444, MATH 445, E E 467, E E 468, C S 410, C S 425, C S 444, C S 450, C S 458, C S 462, C S 475, C S 480.

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