Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Science, BA


Program Description


The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science is ideal for students interested in acquiring a broad-based liberal arts education that includes a strong and solid understanding of computer science. The curriculum is oriented toward design, implementation, and application of computer software systems to solve information processing problems. The program prepares students for employment in the computer software field or for continued study toward an advanced degree in computer science. 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.

Program Requirements


Freshman Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Sophomore Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 16

Second Semester


Credit Hours: 14

Junior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


  • Computer Science Technical Requirement 3 Credits 8
  • Minor Requirement 3 Credits 9
  • Natural Science Requirement 4 Credits 10
  • Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 4
  • Writing Requirement 3 Credits 11
Credit Hours: 16

Senior Year


First Semester


  • Computer Science Technical Requirement 6 Credits 8
  • Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 4
  • Minor Requirement 3 Credits 9
  • Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 4
Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


  • Computer Science Technical Requirement 3 Credits 8
  • Global Challenges Requirement 3 Credits 4
  • Humanities or Fine Arts Requirement 3 Credits 12
  • Minor Requirement 6 Credits 9
Credit Hours: 15

Total Credits: 121


Footnotes


1 Select either the MATH 1020 /MATH 2070 , MATH 1060 /MATH 2070 , or MATH 1060 /MATH 1080  sequence. Students who select the MATH 1060 /MATH 1080  sequence will have satisfied the elective credits in the freshman year. Students interested in computer graphics should select the MATH 1060 /MATH 1080  sequence.

2 Select the CPSC 1010  and CPSC 1020  sequence; or the CPSC 1050  and CPSC 1070  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.

3 Students must complete through 2020 in a modern language. See Modern Languages Requirement at Clemson University statement in Academic Regulations .

4 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.

5 MATH 1190  or MATH 4190  may be substituted.

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

7 MATH 3020  or MATH 3110  or STAT 3300  may be substituted. MATH 3110  is required for computer graphics courses.

8 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.

9 Courses with the CPSC prefix cannot apply towards minor requirements.

10 Select from courses in BIOL, BCHM, CH, GEOL, MICR, PHYS; or ENSP 2000 . At least one course must include a laboratory and satisfy the Natural Science General Education Requirement .

11 Select from: ENGL 3040 , ENGL 3120 , ENGL 3140 , ENGL 3150 , ENGL 3330  

12 Select from courses in AAH, ANTH, ART, CHIN, DANC, ENGL, FR, GER, HUM, ITAL, JAPN, MUSC, PA, PHIL, REL, RUSS, SPAN or THEA. A course selected to satisfy this requirement may not also be used to satisfy the Mathematical, Scientific and Technological Literacy; Arts and Humanities; or Social Sciences General Education Requirements.

NOTES:

  1. For graduation, a candidate for the BA degree in Computer Science must have earned a grade of C or better in each CPSC course applied to the non-elective requirements for 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.