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Undergraduate Catalog
2005-2007
Fall 2006 Update
College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics
Department of Computer Science
- Who's Who in the Department
- Overview
- Freshman Admission to Computer Science
- Transfer Students
- Change of Major Requirements for UH Students
- Computer Science Major
- Computer Science Minor
- Suggested Program - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Systems, Science Option)
- Suggested Program - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Business Option)
See also General Degree Information
Course-specific courses:
Computer Science (COSC)
Who's Who in the Department of Computer Science
Chair: Marc Garbey
Professors:
Marc Garbey, J. C. Huang, Shou-Hsuan Stephen Huang, Olin G. Johnson, Lennart Johnsson, Ernst L. Leiss, Jehan-Francois Pâris, B. Montgomery Pettitt, Rakesh VermaAssociate Professors:
Robert B. Anderson, Barbara Chapman, Albert M. K. Cheng, Kam-Hoi Cheng, Christoph Eick, Willis K. King, Ioannis Pavlidis, Jaspal Subhlok, George Zouridakis (Visiting)Assistant Professor:
Yuriy Fofanov, Ioannis A. Kakadiaris, Ricardo Vilalta, Rong Zheng
Overview
Computer science is the systematic study of computing systems and computation. Numerous professional opportunities exist for graduates with computer science degrees including hardware development, software engineering, internet systems and technology, game design, computer graphics, animation, robotics, artificial intelligence, security, medicine, biotechnology, business management and consulting, modeling, as well as graduate study in computing-related fields.
The computer science program at the University of Houston is rigorous. All Students majoring in computer science must take a substantial number of courses in mathematics. There is a strong correlation between the logical thinking needed in mathematics and computer science. Students considering majoring in computer science should thus have shown considerable ability in mathematics and logical reasoning. Students majoring in computer science also receive extensive instruction in state-of-the-art software engineering methods and practices. Therefore, they combine good mathematical background with the ability to design and develop quality software on a large scale.
Students majoring in computer science choose one of two options:
- The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with science option, or
- the B.S. in Computer Science with business option.
Students planning to continue into graduate work are encouraged to pursue the B.S. with science option degree program.
The B.S. program in computer science has been accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Science Accreditation Board since 1987.
The department's teaching and research fields of specialization include artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, biomedical image analysis, computer networks, computer vision, computer graphics, databases, video-on-demand, high performance computing, internet computing, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, physics-based modeling and simulation, real-time systems, software engineering, scientific computing, and theory.
Several faculty members have interdisciplinary interests in chemistry and the biological/medical sciences.
Freshman Admission to Computer Science
Applicants will be admitted as computer science majors if they meet the following minimum standards:
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| Rank in Class |
Minimum Score for Admission to Department |
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| SAT (after 3/95) |
Verbal | ACT | |
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| Top 10% | 1100 | 550 | 24 |
| 1st quarter | 1100 | 550 | 24 |
| 2nd quarter | 1150 | 550 | 25 |
| 3rd quarter | 1200 | 550 | 26 |
| 4th quarter |
Not admissable
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||
Transfer Students
Transfer applicants who have earned fewer than 15 semester hours of college credit must meet the computer science requirements for high school graduates.
Applicants who have earned 15 or more semester hours of college credit cannot be directly admitted to the Computer Science Department. Such applicants should enter the university as University Studies Division (USD - no major - 60 semester hours or less) or any other major of the applicant's choice. The student should then take the courses necessary to satisfy the criteria for change of major to Computer Science for UH Students.
The student should obtain advising from the Computer Science Department concerning these courses and other matters related to the student's intended major even though the student is not yet a Computer Science major.
Change of Major Requirements for UH Students
UH students who have earned fewer than 15 semester hours of college credit must meet the Computer Science requirements for high school graduates.
UH students who have earned 15 or more semester hours of college credit must have all of the following:
- Must have completed at least 15 hours of UH course work with the grade point average of B- or better.
- Must have completed at least two UH Computer Science courses and at least one UH math course, all of which are applicable to the degree and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Computer Science Department.
- Must have a grade point average of B- or better for all UH computer science courses applicable to the degree attempted.
- Must have a grade point average of B- or better for all UH math courses applicable to the degree attempted.
Computer Science Major
Students who choose to major in computer science must meet the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree:
Science Option
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| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Mathematics | |
| MATH 1431, 1432, 2431, 2433, 3336, 3338, and 3339 | 25 |
| Three semester hours of approved 4000-level MATH (Designed to complete
a minor in mathematics meeting the NSM Capstone requirement. Note: students must file for a minor and meet all university requirements for a minor.) |
3 |
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| Physics | |
| PHYS 1321, 1322 | 6 |
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| Computer Science | |
| COSC 1410, 1320, 2320, 2410, 3410, 3330, 3340, 3480, 4111, 4330, and 4351 | 35 |
| Nine approved advanced semester hours of computer science electives | 9 |
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Business Option
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| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Mathematics | |
| MATH 1431, 1432, 2431, 3336, 3338, and 3339 | 21 |
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| Accounting | |
| ACCT 2331 and 2332 | 6 |
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| Electives | |
Nine approved advanced hours from
INDE 4333, DISC 3371,
4368, 4370,
4371, 4372, 4379, 4477, or 4478.
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9 |
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| Computer Science | |
| COSC 1410, 1320 , 2320, 2410, 3410, 3330, 3340, 3480, 4111, 4330, and 4351 | 35 |
| Nine approved advanced semester hours of computer science electives | 9 |
Computer Science Minor
Students who choose to minor in computer science must complete the general requirements for a minor as well as the following:
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|---|---|
| Requirements | Hours |
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| Computer Science | |
| COSC 1410, 1320, and 2320 | 10 |
| Nine hours of approved COSC courses chosen from 3000- and 4000-level COSC courses. Note that the department enforces the prerequisites of all courses | 9 |
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Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general information on the requirements for minors. To apply for a minor degree plan in Computer Science the student must meet the approved requirements: 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on the most recent 60 hours of college credit attempted, on all MATH courses attempted and on all COSC courses attempted. Courses which by catalog statement cannot be applied toward a degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or which have other relevant catalog restrictions will not be included in the minor grade point average.
Suggested Program -
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Systems, Science Option)
First Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 1 | 3 |
| HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent | 3 |
| POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent | 3 |
| MATH 1431. Calculus I | 4 |
| COSC 1410. Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| Total | 17 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 1 | 3 |
| HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent | 3 |
| POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent | 3 |
| MATH 1432. Calculus II | 4 |
| COSC 1320. Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Second Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 2320. Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 2410. Computer Organization and Programming | 4 |
| MATH 2433. Calculus III | 3 |
| PHYS 1321. University Physics 1, 6 | 4 |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 3410. Digital Logic Design | 4 |
| MATH 2431. Linear Algebra | 4 |
| PHYS 1322. University Physics II 1, 6 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Writing Intensive Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
Third Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 3330. Computer Architecture | 3 |
| MATH 3336. Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 3338. Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Humanities Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 3340. Introduction to Automata and Computability | 3 |
| COSC 3480. Introduction to File and Database Systems | 4 |
| MATH 3339. Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
Fourth Year
| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4351. Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 6 |
| Mathematics Approved Elective (4000-level) | 3 |
| NSM Capstone, Minor, or Elective Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 4111. Computer Scientists and the Society | 1 |
| COSC 4330. Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 3 |
| NSM Capstone, Minor, or Elective Course | 3 |
| Visual/Performing Arts Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
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All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester
hours required for a University of Houston degree.
Suggested Program -
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
(Business Option)
First Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
|
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|
| ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 1 | 3 |
| HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent | 3 |
| MATH 1431. Calculus I | 4 |
| POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent | 3 |
| COSC 1410. Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| Total | 17 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 1320. Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 1 | 3 |
| HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent | 3 |
| MATH 1432. Calculus II | 4 |
| POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Second Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 2320. Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 2410. Computer Organization and Programming | 4 |
| MATH 2431. Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| ACCT 2331. Accounting Theory I | 3 |
| COSC 3410. Digital Logic Design | 4 |
| Social Sciences Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
Third Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| MATH 3336. Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 3338. Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| COSC 3330. Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ACCT 2332. Operational Uses of Financial Data | 3 |
| Social Sciences Writing Intensive Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| MATH 3339. Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| COSC 3480. Introduction to File and Database Systems | 4 |
| COSC 3340. Introduction to Automata and Computability | 3 |
| Specialty Field 7 | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Fourth Year
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| Fall Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 4351. Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 3 |
| Specialty Field 7 | 3 |
| Humanities Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
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| Spring Semester | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COSC 4330. Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| COSC 4111. Computer Scientists and the Society | 1 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 6 |
| Specialty Field 7 | 3 |
| Visual/Performing Arts Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
All students are responsible for the completion of 36 advanced semester
hours required for a University of Houston degree.
The program is accredited by the Computing Sciences Accreditation Commission.
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Last updated:
Friday, August 18, 2006 - 06:00 PM