Nov 23, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, BS


Program Description


The Computer Science program is oriented toward design, implementation, and application of software systems to solve information processing problems. This program is more technically oriented than the Computer Information Systems curriculum. It prepares students for employment in the computer software field or for continued study toward an advanced degree in computer science. This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Additional information about the major, curriculum, and advising can be found at http://www.clemson.edu/computing/.

Students who change majors into Computer Science must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher.

Bachelor’s to Master’s Plan

The School of Computing allows students to apply up to nine hours of graduate credit (6000- and 8000-level courses) toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students participating in this program must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.4 and be admitted to the Graduate School prior to registering for graduate courses. Details of the suggested curriculum and program information are available from the School.

Program Requirements


Freshman Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


  • 4 Credits
  • Arts and Humanities (Non-Literature) Requirement 3 Credits 3
  • Introduction to Computing Requirement 4 Credits 1
  • Natural Science Requirement 4 Credits 2
Credit Hours: 15

Sophomore Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 16

Credit Hours: 16

Junior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


  • Breadth Requirement 3 Credits 8
  • Computer Science PATH Requirement 3 Credits 9
  • Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 3
  • Theory Requirement 3 Credits 10
  • Elective 3 Credits
Credit Hours: 15

Senior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Total Credits: 122


Footnotes


1 Select either the CPSC 1010  and CPSC 1020  sequence; or the CPSC 1060  and CPSC 1070  sequence. The sequence of CPSC 1110  and CPSC 1020  is also acceptable with one elective credit taken in the first semester.

2 Two-semester sequence in the same physical or biological science, each including a laboratory, is required. Select one of the following sequences:

The six remaining credits may be selected from BIOL, BCHM, CH, GEN, GEOL, MICR, PHYS courses; or ENSP 2000 . Excess credits in the lab sciences may apply to the remaining science requirements.

3 See General Education Requirements . Three of these credits must also satisfy the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement. See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement in the Academic Regulations  section.

4 MATH 1190  or MATH 4190  may be substituted.

5 Select COMM 1500 , COMM 2500 , or HON 2230 ; or the cluster of courses AS 3090 , AS 3100 , AS 4090 , AS 4100 ; or ML 1010 , ML 1020 .

6 MATH 3020  or STAT 3300  may be substituted.

7 Select CPSC 3220  or CPSC 3600 .

8 Select from courses in AAH, ANTH, ART, CHIN, COMM, DANC, EAS, ECON, ENGL, FR, GEOG, GER, HIST, HUM, ITAL, JAPN, MUSC, PA, PAS, PHIL, POSC, PSYC, REL, RUSS, SOC, SPAN, THEA, WS. Courses selected to satisfy this requirement may not also be used to satisfy the Communication; Mathematical, Scientific and Technological Literacy; Arts and Humanities; or Social Sciences General Education Requirements.

Select two courses from one of the areas listed below. Courses used to satisfy this requirement may not also be used to satisfy other major requirements.

10 Select CPSC 3120  or CPSC 3500 .

11 Select CPSC 4180 , CPSC 4200 , or CPSC 4240 .

12 Select ENGL 3040 , ENGL 3120 , ENGL 3140 , ENGL 3150 , or ENGL 3330 .

13 Select from 3000-level or higher CPSC courses. Up to three credits of ECE 3000-level or higher courses; or MATH 3650 ; or MATH 4000-level courses may be substituted (except MATH 4190 ). No more than three credits total of independent study or creative inquiry courses (e.g., CPSC 3990  or CPSC 4810 ) may be applied to this requirement from any department, and no more than six credits of CPSC 4820  may be applied. Courses selected to satisfy this requirement may not also be used to satisfy other major requirements.

14 Select CPSC 4300  or CPSC 4620 .

NOTES:

  1. For graduation, a candidate for the BS degree in Computer Science must have earned a grade of C or better in each CPSC course applied to the non-elective requirements of the degree.
  2. A grade of C or better must be earned in all prerequisite courses (including CPSC and MATH courses) before enrolling in the next CPSC course.
  3. A transfer course may not be used to satisfy the General Education Global Challenges Requirement. While a transfer course may fulfill other degree requirements, students must enroll in a Clemson course(s) on the Global Challenges list to fulfill the Global Challenges Requirement.