Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
About This Program
UTA’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BCBS) degree program is designed to expose students to the intellectual and practical aspects of modern software-intensive computing systems, including software development at various levels involving operating systems, database systems, programming languages, networks, security issues, user interfaces, and artificial intelligence.
Our students gain fundamental knowledge and practical skills in the design of computer-based systems, as well as demonstrating leadership for a changing profession and world. They will also apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom in real-world settings through internships or cooperative education programs and course projects, including a capstone project.
ABET Accreditation
The BSCS program has been accredited since 2002 by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science.
Program Educational Objectives
The program is designed so that a few years following graduation students will be able to:
- Be technically competent and have commenced a computing career or advanced studies.
- Advance in the profession, especially in responsibility for the design of computer-based systems.
- Demonstrate leadership to advance the growing computer science profession globally.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the degree, students will be able to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Admissions Criteria
All entering students majoring in this program are permitted to enroll in general education and pre-professional courses for which they are qualified. Students completing pre-professional courses must meet the academic requirements specified by the College of Engineering prior to applying for admission to the professional program. The Computer Science and Engineering Department requires a 2.5 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale in each of three categories: (1) overall, (2) required science, mathematics, and engineering courses, and (3) required CSE courses. Additionally, they must have a total of no more than four unsuccessful attempts in engineering courses. Students not in the professional program must have permission from the department chairperson to receive credit for courses listed in the professional program category. Application for admission to the professional program is made to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Prior Preparation
This is a four-year program, and requirements for the degree are based upon prior high school preparation through either an honors or college track. More specifically, entering students are expected to have a background in mathematics through precalculus, high school chemistry, and programming in a high-level language such as C, C++, Java or Python.
Students who have not had the appropriate preparation should contact the departmental advising office for assistance in structuring a degree plan that will include leveling courses. Students requiring leveling courses may require a longer period of time to complete their undergraduate program.
Readiness Examinations
Students that have prior programming experience without having course credit for a programming course will have the option to take readiness examinations before enrolling in CSE courses at UTA. Students not passing the readiness examination must take these courses at UTA. A readiness examination may be taken only once per course and only before enrolling in any CSE courses. Additional information is available in the departmental office.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students are required to complete specific courses in certain core areas. Those included in the pre-professional program are identified with a footnote. | ||
| In addition to the specified courses, students must choose 6 hours of U.S. History, 6 hours of Political Science, 3 hours of Language, Philosophy, Culture, and 3 hours of Creative Arts in the general education core. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I 1 | ||
| For Mathematics select: | ||
| CALCULUS I 1 | ||
| CALCULUS II 1 | ||
| For Life & Physical Sciences select: | ||
| GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS I 1 | ||
| GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS II 1 | ||
| For Social & Behavioral Sciences select: | ||
| ECONOMICS FOR ENGINEERS | ||
or ECON 2305 | PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | |
| For Component Area Option select: | ||
| CALCULUS III | ||
| BSCS Foundations | ||
| Additional hours required in core | 4 | |
| UNIV 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS | 1 |
| or ENGR 1101 | ENTRANCE TO ENGINEERING FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS | |
| CSE 1106 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING | 1 |
| CSE 1310 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS & PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CSE 1320 | INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CSE 1325 | OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CSE 2312 | COMPUTER ORGANIZATION & ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CSE 2315 | DISCRETE STRUCTURES | 3 |
| CSE 3318 | ALGORITHMS & DATA STRUCTURES | 3 |
| BSCS Specialization (Professional Program) 2 | ||
| IE 3301 | ENGINEERING PROBABILITY | 3 |
| or MATH 3313 | INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY | |
| CSE 3302 | PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES | 3 |
| CSE 3310 | FUNDAMENTALS OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| CSE 3314 | PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES | 3 |
| CSE 3315 | THEORETICAL CONCEPTS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING | 3 |
| CSE 3320 | OPERATING SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CSE 3330 | DATABASE SYSTEMS AND FILE STRUCTURES | 3 |
| CSE 3380 | LINEAR ALGEBRA FOR CSE | 3 |
| or MATH 3330 | INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR ALGEBRA AND VECTOR SPACES | |
| CSE 4308 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | 3 |
| CSE 4316 | COMPUTER SYSTEM DESIGN PROJECT I | 3 |
| CSE 4317 | COMPUTER SYSTEM DESIGN PROJECT II | 3 |
| CSE 4344 | COMPUTER NETWORK ORGANIZATION | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| COMPUTER GRAPHICS | ||
| COMPILERS FOR ALGORITHMIC LANGUAGES | ||
| AUTONOMOUS ROBOT DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| INFORMATION SECURITY | ||
| INFORMATION SECURITY II | ||
| SECURE PROGRAMMING | ||
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select five computer science courses numbered 3000 or higher with advance approval of advisor. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Core course included in the pre-professional program.
- 2
All pre-requisites for professional courses must be completed with a C or better.
Total hours will depend upon prior preparation and academic qualifications.
Program Completion
Refer to the College of Engineering section of this catalog for information concerning the following topics: Preparation in High School for Admission to the College of Engineering, Admission to the College of Engineering, Admission to the Professional Program, Counseling, College of Engineering Academic Regulations, Transfer Policies, College of Engineering Probation, Repeating Course Policy and Academic Honesty.
Advising Resources
First time in college students meet with engineering advisors in the UAEC (UAECengineering@uta.edu). Transfer students are advised prior to New Maverick Orientation by the department. Students, please read all student emails carefully and consult the department advising webpage for additional contact information and answers to common questions.
Location:
ERB 6th Floor: ERB 643, ERB 644, ERB 645, ERB 646, ERB 622A
Email:
cseugadvising@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-3785
Web:
Find our contact information, walk-in advising schedule, and virtual appointment links here