Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science (629P, 629)


Program Coordinator

Guangming Xing, guangming.xing@wku.edu, (270) 745-8848

Computer Science Program Educational Objectives
The program achieves its mission by focusing on specific educational objectives. Within three to five years after graduation, WKU CS graduates are expected to be:               

Objective 1: Attain, contribute to, and advance in a fulfilling professional computing career, utilizing and continuously improving technical skills and non-technical communication, while demonstrating a commitment to ethical computing and social responsibility.
Objective 2: Effectively manage and lead complex computing initiatives, projects, and teams using adaptable leadership skills.

The CS student outcomes are listed on the program website at https://www.wku.edu/seas/.

Concentrations

  • Systems/Scientific App (CSSA)
  • General (CGEN)

Admission Requirements

The major in computer science requires a minimum of 53 semester hours. To be admitted to the computer science major, students must complete CS 290 or CS 221 with grades of "C" or better. In addition, all CS courses counting toward the CS program major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Computer Science electives may include from 0-3 hour of 200-level courses. Students must adhere to all University Policies as indicated in the WKU catalog section, "Academic Information."

Program Requirements (53 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

Systems/Scientific Applications Concentration

Core Courses
CS 180Computer Science I4
CS 290Computer Science II4
CS 325Computer Organization and Architecture3
CS 331Data Structures3
CS 339Discrete Structures3
CS 351Database Management Systems I3
CS 360Software Engineering I3
CS 382Programming Languages3
CS 396Intermediate Software Project3
CS 421Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis3
CS 425Operating Systems I3
CS 496CS Senior Project and Professional Practice3
STAT 301Introductory Probability and Applied Statistics3
Electives
Select 12 hours from the following courses:12
CS 270
Introduction to Web Programming
CS 315
Introduction to Unix
CS 372
Mobile App Development
CS 381
Introduction to Computer Networks
CS 443
Database Management Systems II
CS 445
Operating Systems II
CS 446
Interactive Computer Graphics
CS 450
Computer Networks
CS 456
Artificial Intelligence
Total Hours53
Additional Requirements for the Systems/Scientific Applications Concentration
MATH 136Calculus I4
Math Electives 6-7
Choose two for the following list:
MATH 137
Calculus II
MATH 305
Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 307
Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 331
Differential Equations
MATH 405
Numerical Analysis I
MATH 406
Numerical Analysis II
MATH 470
Introduction to Operations Research
MATH 473
Introduction to Graph Theory
STAT 401
Regression Analysis
STAT 402
Experimental Design
Total Hours10-11

General Option

Core Courses
CS 180Computer Science I4
CS 290Computer Science II4
CS 331Data Structures3
CS 325Computer Organization and Architecture3
CS 339Discrete Structures3
CS 351Database Management Systems I3
CS 360Software Engineering I3
CS 382Programming Languages3
CS 396Intermediate Software Project3
CS 421Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis3
CS 425Operating Systems I3
CS 496CS Senior Project and Professional Practice3
STAT 301Introductory Probability and Applied Statistics3
Electives
Select 12 hours CS electives including: 3 hours at the 200-level or above (excluding CS 226 and CS 257), 6 hours at the 300-level or above and another 3 hours at the 400-level or above 112
Total Hours53
Additional Requirements for the General Option:
MATH 136Calculus I4
Total Hours4
1

At most 1.5 hours of credit for CS 239 may count towards the major. At most 3 hours of credit for CS 239 and CS 245 (only for languages for which credit is not received through another course) may count towards the major.

Finish in Four Plans

On This Page

Computer Science, General 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 1804CS 2904
ENG 1003MATH 1364
Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3COMM 1453
General Elective2General Elective3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab4 
 16 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 3313CS 3513
Colonnade - Literary Studies3HIST 101 or HIST 1023
CS 2XX Elective3CS 3393
General elective3General Elective3
CS 3253STAT 3013
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ no lab3CS 3823
CS 3603CS 3XX Elective3
CS 3XX Elective3Colonnade - Social & Behavioral3
ENG 3003General elective3
Colonnade - System3World Language Requirement or General Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 3963CS 4963
CS 4253CS 4XX Elective3
CS 4213Colonnade - Local to Global3
General Elective3General Elective3
Colonnade - Social & Cultural3General Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Computer Science, Systems/Scientific Applications Concentration

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 1804CS 2904
ENG 1003MATH 1364
HIST 101 or HIST 1023COMM 1453
General Elective3Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3
World Language Requirement or General Elective3 
 16 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 3313CS 3393
CS 3253CS 3513
Colonnade - Literary Studies3Math Elective3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ lab4Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab3
General elective3General elective3
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
STAT 3013CS 3823
CS 3603CS Elective (CS 372 or CS 381 or CS 446)3
CS Elective (CS 443, CS 450, or CS 456)3Colonnade - Social & Behavioral3
ENG 3003Math Elective3
Colonnade - System3General Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 4253CS 4963
CS 4213CS Elective (CS 445 or CS 446)3
General Elective3Colonnade - Local to Global3
CS Elective (CS 443 or CS 456)3Colonnade - Social & Cultural3
CS 3963Math/Science Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 121