The B.S. degree in Computer Science provides a broad knowledge of computing and is designed for students who desire: (a) to pursue graduate work in computer science and (b) to work on the development and support of software projects in a diverse range of specialized areas. The Computer Science degree consists of a set of core courses and a 15-unit senior electives package. The core of the program covers programming languages, computer system organization, operating systems, data structures, software engineering, computation theory and societal implications in computing. The senior electives package allows students to specialize in such fields as artificial intelligence, embedded applications, networking, gaming, graphics, software engineering and security.
The B.S. in Computer Science program requires a total of 120 units, including General Education requirements, major core courses and a 15-unit senior electives package. To graduate, a student must complete a minimum of 18 residency units from the list of upper division required courses listed below, in addition to all other institutional residency requirements.
All incoming freshmen and transfer students in the Computer Science major are required to have personal and continuous access to a laptop computer when they enter the program. This laptop must meet the minimum requirements of the Computer Science department. For questions about this requirement, please contact the Department of Computer Science at (818) 677-3398. See Laptop Requirement—Minimum Specification for detailed information regarding the laptop and software specifications. Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department for assistance associated with required technology costs.
Carefully check course prerequisites, as many courses in the major require grades of “C” or better in prerequisite courses.
No grade lower than a “C” will be accepted on transfer from another institution to satisfy Computer Science requirements. Where specific grade requirements are not specified, no CSUN grade lower than a “C-” will be accepted for courses required in the Computer Science program.