Bachelor of Science Degree In Computer Science

Undergraduate Curriculum

The goal of the Department of Computer Science is to provide individuals with a broad-based theoretical and practical understanding of Computer Science.  Students who complete the program are prepared to pursue graduate study or to assume positions which include software engineering, technical programming, and the application of computers and related technologies to problems in industry such as computer security, network design and management, and Web design.

The curriculum offered by the Department of Computer Science is designed to serve these purposes:

1. To offer an undergraduate major program in computer science for individuals who wish to pursue a career in this field.
2. To prepare students for graduate work in computer science.
3. To serve students in other academic disciplines by offering instruction in computer applications that are useful in these disciplines.

The Department offers an undergraduate major with four choices of concentration.  In each concentration, students are guided through a carefully selected sequence of courses designed to provide a thorough grounding in practical aspects of the field.  Students will also acquire sufficient theoretical background to enable them to keep up with the rapid changes in computer technology and methodology.  Students should consult a Department advisor to determine which concentration and electives to choose.

Declaration of Major
To declare a major in Computer Science, a student must fill out the "New Major Questionnaire" and the "Declaration of Major Form" available in the Computer Science Department office, room CLS-3053. The questionnaire must be returned to the Department Office. Submit the "Declaration of Major Form" to Enrollment Services.

A student must complete the major requirements in effect when the "Declaration of Major" is accepted by the Department. Upon declaring the major, a student must choose a concentration. If the student later wishes to change concentrations, he/she must notify the Department advisor.

Conditions for Graduation with a Degree in Computer Science

All of the following conditions must be met for graduation with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science:

1. Declaration of major
2. Completion of all University and College of Arts & Sciences requirements for graduation as listed in the University catalog. See Graduation Instructions for CS Majors for instructions on filing for graduation.
   
3. Meet major requirements as follows:
   42 credit hours of computer science course work, including 24 credit hours of CS core courses, plus an additional 18 credit hours of CS course work as required in the chosen concentration: Computer Science; Technical Programming; Computer Security; Information Technology. No grade lower than a 'C' will be accepted in the major.

Click Here for Details about Core courses and Choices of Concentration

Click Here for the Bachelor of Science Degree Course Rotation Plan

Registration for Computer Science Courses

Students may register online for Computer Science courses for which prerequisites have been met during advance and late registration.  Prerequisites will be checked and enforced.  If a prerequisite was taken elsewhere, special permission will be required before the student can register.  It is important that transfer students who have not had their courses evaluated by the CS program advisor do so prior to registering.

Note that a student may advance register for a course while enrolled in the prerequisite course, but must complete the prerequisite with a 'C' or better to remain registered.  If the prerequisite course is not successfully completed the student must withdraw from any course(s) for which it is a prerequisite.  Students are advised to check the CS Department bulletin board located between rooms CLS-3053 and CLS-3057 for information on changes in course schedule, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Transfer students should have their transferred computer science courses evaluated by the Computer Science advisor for possible acceptance as soon as possible after receiving the University transfer evaluation.  Transfer students who have fulfilled the math requirement for CS-200/201 at another school should have that math course evaluated by the CS advisor as soon as possible.  Acceptance of a course by the University does not guarantee major equivalency.  Transfer courses equivalent to CS courses in the selected concentration may be accepted as part of the major requirements if a grade of >C= or better was earned; however, transfer students must complete a minimum of 21 credit hours of CS 300-level course work at Northeastern Illinois University and meet all major course requirements in the selected concentration.

NOTE: Introductory courses completed at other schools are not equivalent to CS-200 Programming I unless they cover the same material taught at Northeastern Illinois University.

A transfer student should declare a major in computer science during his/her first term in order to plan a program with the Computer Science advisor.

1. Be an officially declared CS major with all required forms (Declaration of Major; CS New Major Questionnaire; Declaration of Minor, if pursuing a minor) processed.
2. Obtain an application for graduation from the Office of Enrollment Services.
3. Obtain an Academic Course Record form for the major from the CS Department office, and an Academic Course Record form for the minor from your minor department, if you have a minor.
4. Make an appointment with the Computer Science advisor.  Bring the completed form along with a copy of your transfer evaluation (if you are a transfer student).
5. Turn in the originals of the Application for Graduation, questionnaire, and Academic Course Record forms for the major at the Enrollment Services counter.

FILING DEADLINES FOR GRADUATION ARE GENERALLY:

FOR EXACT DEADLINES CONTACT THE OFFICE OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES.