Undergraduate Catalog F12-S13 with Spring 2013 Course Updates Colleges Natural Sciences & Mathematics Majors Computer ScienceComputer Science Major
Computer science is the systematic study of computing systems and computation. Numerous professional opportunities exist for graduates with computer science degrees including 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. There is a strong correlation between the logical thinking and computer science. Students considering a major in computer science should thus have shown considerable ability in logical reasoning and mastered the fundamentals of applied mathematics. Students majoring in computer science also receive extensive instruction in state-of-the-art computing architectures, operating systems, compilers, 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 three options:
- the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with software design option, or
- the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with science option, or
- the Bachelor of Science (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 is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The department's teaching and research fields of specialization include bioinformatics, biomedical image analysis, computer networks, computer vision, computer graphics, databases, 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.
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:
Software Design Option
|
Courses
|
Hours |
|---|---|
| Mathematics: MATH 1431, 1432, 2331, 3336,3338, and 3339 | 20 |
| Computer Science: COSC 1410, 1320 , 2320, 2410, 3320, 3330, 3340, 3380, 4211, 4330, and 4351 | 34 |
| Nine approved advanced semester hours of computer science electives | 9 |
| COSC 4353 and 4354; Satisfies NSM Capstone requirement | 6 |
Systems, Science Option
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mathematics: MATH 1431, 1432, 2331, 2433, 3336,3338, and 3339 | 24 |
| 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 |
| Physics: PHYS 1321, 1322 | 6 |
| Computer Science: COSC 1410, 1320 , 2320, 2410, 3320, 3330, 3340, 3380, 4211, 4330, and 4351 | 34 |
| Nine approved advanced semester hours of computer science electives | 9 |
Business Option
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mathematics: MATH 1431, 1432, 2331, 3336, 3338, and 3339 | 20 |
| Accounting: ACCT 2331 and 2332 | 6 |
|
Six approved advanced hours from MIS 3360 and one of MIS 4374, or 4379, or 4478. |
6 (7) |
| Computer Science: COSC 1410, 1320 , 2320, 2410, 3320, 3330, 3340, 3380, 4211, 4330, and 4351 | 34 |
| Nine approved advanced semester hours of computer science electives | 9 |
Suggested Program - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Software Design Option)
First Year
| Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| COSC 1410. Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 | |
| ENGL 1303. First Year Writing 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 | |
| Total | 17 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 1320. Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| ENGL 1304. First Year Writing 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
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 2320. Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 2410. Computer Organization and Programming | 4 |
| MATH 2331. Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3320. Algorithms and Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 4351. Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| Social Sciences Core Course | 3 |
| Writing in the Discipline Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Third Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3330. Computer Architecture | 3 |
| MATH 3336. Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 3338. Probability |
3 |
| Humanities Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3340. Introduction to Automata and Computability | 3 |
| COSC 3380. Introduction to File and Database Systems | 3 |
| COSC 4353 (formerly 3351). Software Design |
3 |
| MATH 3339. Statistics | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Fourth Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4330. Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| COSC 4354 (formerly 4352). Software Development Practices | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 6 |
| Total | 12 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4211. Computer Scientists and the Society | 2 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 3 |
| Elective Courses | 7 |
| Visual/Performing Arts Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
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 (Systems, Science Option)
First Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 1410. Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| 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 |
| Total | 17 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent | 3 |
| MATH 1432. Calculus II | 4 |
| Total | 16 |
Second Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 2320. Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 2410. Computer Organization and Programming | 4 |
| MATH 2433. Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 1321. University Physics 1, 6 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3320. Algorithms and Data Structures | 3 |
| MATH 2331. Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 1322. University Physics II 1, 6 | 3 |
| Writing in the Discipline Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Third Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3330. Computer Architecture | 3 |
| MATH 3336. Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 3338. Probability |
3 |
| Humanities Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3340. Introduction to Automata and Computability | 3 |
| COSC 3380. Introduction to File and Database Systems | 3 |
| COSC 4351. Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 3339. Statistics | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4330. Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 6 |
| Mathematics Approved Elective (4000-level) | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4211. Computer Scientists and the Society | 2 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 |
| Visual/Performing Arts Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
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
| Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| COSC 1410. Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 | |
| 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 | |
| Total | 17 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| 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
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 2320. Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 2410. Computer Organization and Programming | 4 |
| MATH 2331. Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACCT 2331. Accounting Theory I | 3 |
| COSC 3320. Algorithms and Data Structures | 3 |
| COSC 3330. Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Social Sciences Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Laboratory 6 | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Third Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3340. Introduction to Automata and Computability |
3 |
| MATH 3336. Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 3338. Probability |
3 |
| ACCT 2332. Operational Uses of Financial Data | 3 |
| Writing in the Discipline Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 3380. Introduction to File and Database Systems |
3 |
| COSC 4351 . Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 3339. Statistics | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Fourth Year
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4330. Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 3 |
| Specialty Field7 | 3 |
| Humanities Core Course | 3 |
| Natural Science Approved Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| COSC 4211. Computer Scientists and the Society | 2 |
| Computer Science Approved Electives (3000- or 4000-level) | 6 |
| Specialty Field7 | 3 (4) |
| Elective | 1(0) |
| Visual/Performing Arts Core Course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
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.
Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: June 30, 2011