BA in Computer Science
The proposed BACS program has been designed to meet the Texas Core Curriculum. The program is designed to prepare students with foundational mathematical and computing knowledge to allow them to tackle challenges of the future. The program allows students to use knowledge of computer science including algorithms, problem solving, and programming to build solutions in a variety of disciplines. Additionally, the new degree will allow students to establish a focus area from other disciplines in education, health science, liberal arts, engineering, science, and business.
Educational Objectives
The program's educational objectives of the proposed degree focus on preparing graduates who will be able to:
- Be innovative and productive problem-solvers in industry, academia, and government who have the ability to apply theoretical computing knowledge to provide solutions to real-world problems,
- Contribute to the economic health of the nation, in particular the Paso del Norte region, through technical computing expertise and complementary skills including working with and leading interdisciplinary teams with a global perspective, and
- Remain at the forefront of technology through research, advanced studies, certification, entrepreneurship, or other means of self-advancement.
Marketable Skills
Graduates of the BACS will have software development principles, mathematical algorithms, and programming skills to:
- Develop new software systems in a variety of domains
- Define computational principles
- Work with mathematical models, data analysis, and security
- Design and analyze algorithms to solve programs
- Study the performance of computer hardware and software
Courses offered by the CS department, particularly those contributing to the BACS degree, allow students to participate in the following EDGE experiences:
- Community engagement through course projects,
- Student employment as Teaching/Research Assistants,
- Student Leadership through student organizations,
- Internship (with possibility to earn course credit), and
- Research and Scholarly activities through enrollment in CS4371 (Computer Science Problems) course.
The BACS students must satisfy all university core requirements and complete all required courses and program requirements. Students must have a cumulative university GPA of at least 2.0 and a cumulative CS GPA of at least 2.0 and have neither missing nor outstanding "I" or 'W' grades.
Degree Plan
Required Credits: 120
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. | 42 | |
| Designated Core (All courses require a grade of "C" or better) | ||
| CS 1310 | Intro-Computational Thinking | 3 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Foundational Computer Science Courses (minimum grade of C required) | ||
| CS 1301 & CS 1101 | Intro to Computer Science and Intro to Computer Science Lab | 4 |
| CS 2401 | Elem. Data Struct./Algorithms | 4 |
| CS 2101 | Discrete Structures I | 1 |
| CS 2202 | Discrete Structures II | 2 |
| CS 2302 | Data Structures | 3 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods | 3-4 |
| or STAT 3320 | Probability and Statistics | |
| Other CS Requirements | ||
| 22-23 hrs of CS 1110, CS 1120, CS 2210, CS 3XXX, CS 4XXX, or ECE/EE 2369/2169. At least 6 hrs should be CS 4000-level courses as approved by the undergraduate program director. | 22-23 | |
| Other Disciplines | ||
| 36 hrs should include at least one of the following options: | 36 | |
| 1. Complete a non-CS minor | ||
| 2. 9 hours or upper-division non-CS major courses | ||
| and additional hours with program director approval for a total of 36 hours | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Core Curriculum (A program may recommend specific courses. All courses require a C or better.)
I. Communication (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Select six hours of the following: | 6 | |
| For students whose secondary education was in English: | ||
| Written and Oral Communication | ||
| Writing About Literature | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | ||
| Rhetoric, Composition & Comm | ||
| For students whose secondary education was not in English: | ||
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | ||
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
II. American History (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
ANTH 2325 Language in Culture & Society | ||
| Intro-African Amer Studies | ||
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | ||
| English Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Intro to American Fiction | ||
| Intro to American Drama | ||
| Intro to American Poetry | ||
ENGL 2325 Language in Culture & Society | ||
| Making of the "Other" Americas | ||
| World History to 1500 | ||
| World History Since 1500 | ||
LING 2325 Language in Culture & Society | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Introduct to Religious Studies | ||
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | ||
| Introduction to Womens Studies | ||
| Global Feminisms | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
IV. Mathematics (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and Empirical & Quantitative Skills. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry and Conics | ||
| Math in the Modern World | ||
| Math for Social Sciences I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Math for Social Sciences II | ||
| Statistical Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork. | ||
| Required: Lecture/Lab Sequence plus Additional Lecture | ||
| Astronomy Lab I | ||
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | ||
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab | ||
| Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Study of Life I | ||
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Biology | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | ||
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology I | ||
| Human Anat/Physiology II | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | ||
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | ||
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Intro to General Chemistry | ||
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | ||
| Environmental Sci. Lab | ||
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | ||
| Intro to Environmental Sci | ||
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | ||
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | ||
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | ||
| Principles of Earth Sciences | ||
| Principles of Earth Science | ||
| The Blue Planet | ||
| Natural Hazards | ||
| Intro to Physical Geology | ||
| Intro to Historical Geol | ||
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | ||
| Wellness Dynamics | ||
| Microorganisms and Disease | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | ||
| Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | ||
| Introductory Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Electromagnetism | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
VI. Political Science (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility and Personal Responsibility. | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
VII. Social & Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Social Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog | ||
| Intro-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Introduction to Human Language | ||
| Asian American Studies | ||
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | ||
| Intro to Chicano Studies | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mass Media and Society | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Ed Psychology | ||
| Action Research in Classrooms | ||
| Introduction to Human Language | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| Leadership in Action | ||
| Introduction to Human Language | ||
| Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Cultural Geography | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
VIII. Creative Arts
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat | ||
| Introduction to Dance | ||
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz to Rock | ||
| Music, Culture, and Society | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 3 | |
IX. Component Area Option (six hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice. | ||
ANTH 1312 Science & Society | ||
ANTH 1313 Human Variation | ||
| Intro to Global Business | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Business/Profession Comm | ||
| Intro-Computational Thinking | ||
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | ||
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | ||
| Engineering Design Experience | ||
| Applied Engineering Analysis | ||
KIN 1301 Physical Activity for Health & Wellness | ||
| Introduction to Leadership | ||
| Inquiry in Math & Science | ||
SOCI 1312 Science & Society | ||
| Comm. Var. Across the Lifespan | ||
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | ||
| TOTAL HOURS | 6 | |
4-Year Sample Degree Plan
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Year - Fall | ||
| MATH 1411 | Calculus I * | 4 |
| CS 1301 & CS 1101 | Intro to Computer Science and Intro to Computer Science Lab | 4 |
| CS 2101 | Discrete Structures I | 1 |
| RWS 1301 | Rhetoric & Composition I | 3 |
| UNIV 1301 | Seminar/Critical Inquiry ** | 3 |
| 1st Year - Spring | ||
| CS 2401 | Elem. Data Struct./Algorithms | 4 |
| CS 2202 | Discrete Structures II | 2 |
| CS 1310 | Intro-Computational Thinking * | 3 |
| RWS 1302 | Rhetoric & Composition 2 | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| 2nd Year - Fall | ||
| CS 2302 | Data Structures | 3 |
| EE 2169 | Laboratory for EE 2369 *** | 1 |
| EE 2369 | Digital Systems Design I *** | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| STAT 2480 | Elementary Statistical Methods **** | 4 |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| 2nd Year - Spring | ||
| CS 3331 | Adv. Object-Oriented Programng *** | 3 |
| CS 2210 | Algo. Thinking in Prob. Solv. *** | 2 |
| CS 3350 | Automata/Computabi/Formal Lang *** | 3 |
| Life & Physical Sciences Lecture/Lab ** | 4 | |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
| 3rd Year - Fall | ||
| CS 3432 | Computer Organization *** | 4 |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Life & Physical Sciences ** | 3 | |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture ** | 3 | |
| 3rd Year - Spring | ||
| CS 4342 | Database Systems *** | 3 |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences ** | 3 | |
| 4th Year - Fall | ||
| CS 4390 | Special Topics in Computer Sci *** | 3 |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Creative Arts ** | 3 | |
| 4th Year - Spring | ||
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Concentration or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Computer Science Designated Core
- **
University Core Curriculum Required Elective
- ***
CS Requirements: 22-23 hours of CS 1110, CS 1120, CS 2210, CS 3XXX, CS 4XXX, or ECE/EE 2369/2169. At least 6 hours should be CS 4000-level courses, as approved by undergraduate program director.
- ****
STAT 2480 can be replaced by STAT 3320 if MATH 1312 has been completed with a C or better.