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Computer Science

College of Engineering and Architecture

	QUICK JUMP
	Computer Science
	Study Options
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Computer Science
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
	Contact Information

Computer Science

Computer science is the study of computers, including the development and analysis of programs and the computing machinery that runs them. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master of science, Ph.D. • Available at: Pullman, Spokane (supporting coursework only), Tri-Cities (B.A., B.S., and M.S. only), Vancouver (minor and B.A. only)

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Study Options

The computer science program offers you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. You can focus your studies by working with an advisor to choose courses that fulfill the degree requirements and give you specialized knowledge in an area of emphasis. Some of the many areas of emphasis you can choose: • Graphics, Visualization, and Human-Computer Interaction • Information Technology (available as a minor) • Intelligent Systems • Networks, Communication, and Distributed Systems • Software Engineering

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Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science The bachelor of science degree requires substantial basic and advanced computer science course work and is the traditional computer science degree. The bachelor of arts degree is designed for multidisciplinary students who wish to learn the basics of computer science and apply them to a different field. The BA requires a minor in another area, such as art, biochemistry, economics, or criminal justice, among others. REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM • Students may apply for certification into the bachelor of science degree program in computer science after completing 30 semester hours to include Computer Science 121, 122, and 223; Math 171 and 172; and Physics 201 and 202. For the bachelor of arts degree program, the 30 semester hours must include Math 201, 202, and 216, and Computer Science 121 and 122. Math 171 and 172 may be substituted for Math 201 and 202. • Three semesters of laboratory science are required in the schedule of studies but need not be completed prior to certification. • REQUIRED COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES—BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (123 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS) CptS 121—Program Design and Development CptS 122—Data Structures CptS 223—Advanced Data Structures CptS 224—Programming Tools CptS 260--Computer Architecture CptS 322—Software Engineering Principles I CptS 317—Automata and Formal Languages CptS 323--Principles of Software Design CptS 360—Systems Programming CptS 355—Programming Language Design CptS 421--Software Design Project I CptS 422—Software Engineering Principles II CptS 423--Software Design Project II CptS 450—Design and Analysis of Algorithms CptS 402—Social and Professional Issues CptS 460—Operating Systems and Computer Architecture Fifteen credits of computer science option courses may be taken in such areas as communications, computer engineering, computer graphics, mathematics, networks and distributed systems, scientific computation, or software engineering. • REQUIRED COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES—BACHELOR OF ARTS (122 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS) In addition to the 122 semester credit hours, students earning a bachelor of arts in computer science must complete a minor in another area. Required courses for the degree are: CptS 121—Program Design and Development CptS 122—Data Structures CptS 322—Software Engineering Principles I EE 214—Logic Circuits EE 234—Microprocessor Systems CptS 422—Software Engineering Principles II Eighteen credits of advanced computer science electives NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the catalog to graduate.

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Careers in Computer Science

The demand for computer science professionals will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Average starting salaries approach $50,000 annually, sometimes with signing bonuses due to the high-demand market. Hot careers for WSU computer science graduates are in software engineering, networking, and computer animation. Companies that typically hire WSU graduates include Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Alias|Wavefront, Intel, Tektronix, Boeing, and other small- and mid-sized companies in computing or looking for technical leadership.

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Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Good at riddles, puzzles, and problems of all descriptions • Drawn to computers and applications • Good at mastering some of the more involved strategy games • Familiar with programming, either independently or through a school program • Aptitude for analytical thinking, such as high school math or science classes • Ability to stick with a difficult problem through its ultimate resolution • Essential for success as an undergraduate: high school mathematics through trigonometry (calculus is beneficial, but not required) and high school sciences

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College of Engineering and Architecture offers more than 300 scholarships a year to students in their first and second years of study. Incoming freshmen and transfer students have the opportunity to receive scholarship money from the college that will be continued by the school. Students may also apply for University-wide scholarships.

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Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

Related studies in computer technology: • Computer engineering • Software engineering • Computational Neuroscience Related studies in computer technology and business: • Management information systems • Accounting information systems

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Contact Information

Computer science program

School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Washington State University PO Box 642752 Pullman, WA  99164-2752

newcoug@eecs.wsu.edu

509-335-2446

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Strengths of the Program

• Gain career strength in software engineering, operating systems, neural networks, data mining, computer graphics and animation, computer security, networking, and programming languages.
• WSU's superb computer facilities include several hundred Unix and Windows NT workstations with high-speed networking.
• WSU's learning labs include SGI and HP workstations for graphics and animation, PC operating systems based on Linux, PC-based networking, and microprocessor development.
• WSU is an Internet2 university with a 45Mb/s connection to other Internet2 institutions.
• Receive a solid technical background in math, science, and engineering.
• Hundreds of WSU computer science alumni have become leaders in local and worldwide companies, universities, and other computing-related areas.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us