Chairperson: Paul De Palma
Professors: S. Bowers, P. De Palma, K. Yerion (Emerita)
Associate Professors: D. Hughes (Emeritus), Y. Zhang
Assistant Professors: A. Crandall, D. Olivares, G. Sprint
Lecturers: J. Crandall, D. Eshner
The Department of Computer Science offers two degrees, a B.S. in Computer Science (BSCS) and a B.A. in Computer Science and Computational Thinking (BACSCT). The department also offers minors and concentrations in Data Science, Software Application Development, and Software Security. The minors are intended for students not in the BSCS or BACSCT programs. The concentrations are intended for students in the BSCS or BACSCT programs. For a description of the BACSCT, see the Undergraduate Catalog entry (College of Arts and Sciences) under “Computer Science and Computational Thinking.”
The B.S. in Computer Science is built on a broad and rigorous foundation of science, mathematics, software engineering, and advanced computer science topics. All students participate in a large software engineering project during their senior years. Each project is completed under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a project sponsor. Advisors are frequently practicing software developers. Project sponsors are often from the computer industry.
Faculty expertise and research interests span a wide range of computer science topics, including networks, machine learning, artificial intelligence, human language processing, computer graphics, database systems, cloud computing, and computer security. Select students can participate in research projects directly with a faculty mentor through independent study courses, a senior thesis, or as a member of a professor’s research group. Students are encouraged to pursue summer research or industry-sponsored internships. Many Computer Science students secure summer research funding through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Others intern in the computer industry, some with companies that regularly work with the Department of Computer Science.
The department offers several laboratories and servers, including two general purpose computing labs, a lab for group projects, and two high-performance computing labs. The department sponsors several student organizations, including the Women in Computing club, the GU Makers and Developers club, and a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for computer science and related disciplines. The department also sponsors teams that compete in the annual Association for Computing Machinery’s Student Programming contest. Many Computer Science students are active in the GU Robotics club.
Computer Science majors can graduate with departmental honors if they have fulfilled all computer science degree requirements, achieved a grade point average of at least 3.50 in their CPSC courses needed for a major in Computer Science, written a senior thesis under the supervision of a Computer Science faculty member, and successfully completed CPSC 495 and 496.
The BS in Computer Science (BSCS) is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
B.S. in Computer Science: 128 credits (89 credits in computer science, mathematics, and science)
I. Computer Science Requirements: 37 credits |
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Lower Division | |
CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits |
CPSC 122 Computer Science II | 3 credits |
CPSC 223 Algorithms and Abstract Data Structures | 3 credits |
CPSC 224 Software Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 260 Computer Organization | 3 credits |
Upper Division |
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CPSC 321 Database Management Systems | 3 credits |
CPSC 326 Organization of Programming Languages | 3 credits |
CPSC 346 Operating Systems | 3 credits |
CPSC 348 Computer Security | 3 credits |
One of the following two courses: | 3 credits |
CPSC 351 Theory of Computation
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CPSC 450 Design and Analysis in Computer Algorithms
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CPSC 491 Software Engineering | 2 credits |
CPSC 491L Senior Design Project Lab I | 1 credit |
CPSC 492L Senior Design Project Lab II | 3 credits |
CPSC 499 Computers and Society | 1 credit |
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II. Computer Science Technical Electives: 21 credits |
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Any 200, 300, or 400 level CPSC course excluding CPSC 497. At most 2 courses from CPSC 2xx, 435, and 436. | 21 credits |
III. Mathematics Requirements: 17 credits |
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MATH 157 Calculus-Analytic Geometry I
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4 credits |
MATH 231 Discrete Structures
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3 credits |
MATH 258 Calculus-Analytic Geometry II
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4 credits |
Two courses from the following are required: | 6 credits |
MATH 260 Ordinary Differential Equation
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ENSC 371 Advanced Engineering Math
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CPSC 455 Chaos and Dynamical Systems
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any 300 or 400 level Mathematics course
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IV: Science and Mathematics Electives: 14 additional credits
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BIOL 105/L Information Flow in Biological Systems and Lab
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BIOL 106 Energy Flow in Biological Systems
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BIOL 205/L Physiology & Biodiversity and Lab
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BIOL 206/L Ecology and Lab
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BIOL 207/L Genetics and Lab
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CHEM 101/L General Chemistry and Lab
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CHEM 205 Inorganic Chemistry
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CHEM 230/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab
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CHEM 231/L Organic Chemistry II and Lab
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CHEM 245/L Biochemistry and Lab
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CHEM 310/L Analytical Chemistry and Lab
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CPSC 455 Chaos and Dynamical Systems
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ENSC 371 Advanced Engineering Math
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PHYS 103/L Scientific Physics I and Lab
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PHYS 204/L Scientific Physics II and Lab
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PHYS 205 Modern Physics
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PHYS 208 Computational Physics
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PHYS 210 Introduction to Linear Electronics
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PHYS 217 Modern Physics Lab
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MATH 258 Calculus II | |
MATH 259 Calculus-Analytic Geometry III
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MATH 260 Ordinary Differential Equation
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any 300 or 400 level Mathematics course
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The Department of Computer Science offers three concentrations listed below:
These concentrations are for students majoring in either the BSCS or the BACSCT degrees. A student majoring in one of these programs may pursue any of the three concentrations listed as they are not eligible for a minor in these three areas. The concentration course requirements are identical regardless of the degree a student is seeking. |
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CS: Concentration in Software Security |
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CPSC 353 Cryptography | 3 credits |
CPSC 349 Cybersecurity Project Lab | 3 credits |
One of the following four courses |
3 credits |
CPSC 341 Internet of Things
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CPSC 346 Operating Systems
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CPSC 447 Computer Networks
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EENG 410 Information Theory and Coding
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CS: Concentration in Data Science |
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CPSC 222 Introduction to Data Science | 3 credits |
CPSC 322 Data Science Algorithms | 3 credits |
One of the following three courses |
3 credits |
MATH 121 Introductory Statistics
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MATH 221 Applied Statistics
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MATH 321 Statistics for Experimentalist
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Two of the following three courses |
6 credits |
CPSC 323 Machine Learning & Intelligent Systems
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CPSC 324 Big Data Analytics
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CPSC 475 Speech & NLP
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CPSC 325Data Science Project Lab
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3 credits |
Software Application Development Concentration |
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CPSC 331 UI/UX Design | 3 credits |
CPSC 332 Web Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 333 Mobile App Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 334 Linux & DevOps | 3 credits |
The Department of Computer Science offers three minors :
The minors are for students not majoring in either the BSCS program or in the BACSCT program. For example, a student majoring in Mathematics could pursue one of the following minors. The minor course requirements are identical regardless of the degree a student is seeking. Minor in CS: Software Security (24 credits) |
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CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits |
CPSC 122 Computer Science II | 3 credits |
CPSC 223 Data Structures |
3 credits |
One of the following two courses |
3 credits |
CPSC 260 Computer Organization
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CPEN 231 & CPEN 231L Microcomputer Arch & Assm Prog
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CPSC 348 Computer Security | 3 credits |
CPSC 353 Cryptography | 3 credits |
CPSC 349 Cybersecurity Project Lab | 3 credits |
One of the following four courses | 3 credits |
CPSC 341 Internet of Things
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CPSC 346 Operating Systems
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CPSC 447 Computer Networks
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EENG 410 Information Theory and Coding
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Minor in CS: Data Science (24 credits) |
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CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits |
CPSC 222 Introduction to Data Science | 3 credits |
CPSC 322 Data Science Algorithms |
3 credits |
One of the following three courses |
3 credits |
MATH 121 Introductory Statistics
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MATH 221 Applied Statistics
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MATH 321 Statistics for Experimentalist
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CPSC 321 Database Management Systems | 3 credits |
Two of the following three courses: |
6 credits |
CPSC 323 Machine Learning & Intelligent Systems
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CPSC 324 Big Data Analytics
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CPSC 475 Speech & NLP
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CPSC 325 Data Science Project Lab | 3 credits |
Minor in CS: Software Application Development (24 credits) |
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CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits |
CPSC 122 Computer Science II | 3 credits |
CPSC 224 Software Development |
3 credits |
CPSC 331 UI/UX design | 3 credits |
CPSC 332 Web Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 333 Mobile App Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 334 Linux & DevOps | 3 credits |
Any 200-level or higher CPSC elective | 3 credits |
In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.
The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.
Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?
- The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).
- Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
- Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
- Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
- Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.
Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?
- Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
- Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .
Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?
- Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?”
- Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).
The Broadening Courses
- Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
- Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.
- Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum
All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.