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Department of Computer Science

Undergraduate Program

The bachelor's degree in computer science prepares students for careers in the computing industry or for graduate study. Combined with a minor in another field of study, the bachelor's degree allows students to utilize their computing expertise in a variety of specialized fields. The core and computer science theory courses are excellent preparation for students who intend to pursue an advanced degree in computer science.

For the computer science major, the department offers courses that represent both the core of study considered essential to all aspects of computing and advanced study sequences in particular fields of interest. The core classes introduce all majors to the spectrum of thought represented in computing. The advanced sequences allow the individual student to pursue concentrated work within such areas as computer architecture, artificial intelligence, databases, compilers, operating systems, computer science theory, computer graphics, software engineering, programming languages, networking distributed systems, and parallel processing. The department also offers topics courses to keep students informed of current advances and methods in computing.

In addition to courses designed for majors, the department offers courses intended to introduce computing to nonmajors. These courses will benefit any major who wishes to include computing in their undergraduate study.

Grade Requirements. All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade. All courses required as prerequisites for a course must be completed with a grade of C or better before registration will be permitted.

Administrative Academic Probation. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in all courses taken in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students who fail to maintain a 2.0 GPA in courses within their major may be placed on administrative academic probation. Failure to eliminate the grade point deficiency could result in disqualification from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
Computer Science Major

Major requirements (55-60 units)
C SCI 40, 41, 60, 112, 115, 117, 119, 144 (28 units)

Select five of the following (15-17 units)
C SCI 124, 134, 150, 154, 156, 164, 172, 174, 176, 186, 191T

Select three of the following sequences (9-12 units)
C SCI 124-126
C SCI 134-136
C SCI 144-146 or 144-148
C SCI 150-152
C SCI 156-ECE 146
C SCI 164-166
C SCI 172-173
C SCI 176-177
C SCI 186-188

C SCI 198 or a fourth sequence (3 units)

Additional requirements (23 units)
C SCI 1*; MATH 75*, 76; PHYS 2A* and 2B or PHYS 4A, 4AL, 4B, 4BL; C SCI 113 or ECE 115

General Education* (51 units)

Electives (3-8 units)

Total (128 units)

__________

* This total indicates that nine units from C SCI 1, MATH 75 and PHYS 2A in Additional Requirements are being used to satisfy the General Education requirement of 51 units.

Note: Pass the Upper-Division Writing Exam or IE 182W (recommended to satisfy upper-division writing graduation requirement).

Computer Science Minor

The Computer Science Minor requires 20 units of computer science courses consisting of C SCI 40, C SCI 41, and 12 units from C SCI 1, 60, 72, or upper-division courses. At least 6 of the 20 units must be upper division. No CR/NC courses will be accepted toward the Minor in Computer Science.

Suggested minor sequences (after completion of C SCI 40, 41):

Artificial Intelligence: C SCI 60, 112, 117, 164, 166
Computer Architecture: C SCI 112, 113, 176, 177
Computer Graphics: C SCI 112, 172, 173
Computer Languages: C SCI 60, 112, 115, 117, 134
Database Emphasis: C SCI 60, 115, 124, 126, 144
Scientific Computation: C SCI 60, 112, 154*, 172*
Secondary Teaching: C SCI 60, 112, 113, 115, 117
Software Engineering: C SCI 60, 112, 115, 150, 152
System Software: C SCI 112, 113, 144, (146 or 148)
Theory of Computation: C SCI 60, 119, 174, 186, 188

__________

* C SCI 154 and 172 have a mathematics prerequisite. Note that these are only suggested combinations. While attention must be given to prerequisites, many combinations are available to interested students.

Graduate Program

The Master of Science degree program in Computer Science is designed to offer the advanced principles, applications, and current topics in computer science. Students who obtain the M.S. degree will be ready to do significant developmental work in the computer industry or in an important application area and will also be well qualified to pursue a Ph.D. degree.

Applicants may hold an acceptable bachelor's degree in any field of study and must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

To attain classified standing at the time of admission, an applicant must:

1. have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 units and
2. have completed the following undergraduate prerequisite courses or equivalents with a minimum grade point average of 3.0: C SCI 40, 41, 60, 112, 113, 115, 117, 119, 144, MATH 75, 76, and two additional C SCI courses numbered over 120.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements 1 and 2 above may be admitted to conditionally classified standing to complete the remaining prerequisites at California State University, Fresno. Approved coursework up to a maximum of 10 units of the 30 units required for the M.S. degree can be taken concurrently with prerequisite courses by a student with conditionally classified standing.

To attain classified standing from conditionally classified standing, a student must complete the remaining prerequisite courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all coursework taken toward the M.S. degree in Computer Science.

(See also the Graduate Studies section in this catalog.)

Master of Science Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 units after the completion of the baccalaure ate degree according to the criteria below. At least 21 units of the total must be taken in 200-level courses in computer science. The undergraduate courses used toward the bachelor's degree or toward fully classified status may not be used toward the master's degree.

Required courses (10 units)
C SCI 174 or 188, 200, 213, 217

Electives (9 units)
Two of the following: C SCI 226, 244, 250, 264, 272, 282
One of the following: C SCI 246, 252, 274, 284

Approved electives (5-8 units)

Culminating experience (3-6 units)
C SCI 298 or 299

Total (30 units)

A student must pass the Departmental Qualifying Examination prior to advancement to candidacy. One component of the exam will be used to satisfy the graduate writing skills requirement.

Computer Science Courses

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