Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
The Computer Science program at Lamar is broad-based in Computer Science emphasizing the following areas:
- computer programming languages
- data structures
- information systems
- theory of programming languages
- software engineering
- networking
- database
- multimedia
- applications of computer science
- computer architecture
Students can also explore concentrations in computer science bioinformatics and computer science game development.
The program requires:
- 48 hours in computer science,
- 20 hours in mathematics,
- 12 hours in laboratory science,
- 3 hours in free electives
- 3 hours in electrical engineering
- general university requirements for a bachelor's degree
Students are required to take the ETS computer science field exam during the semester in which they are graduating.
The student who completes this four-year academic program is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and is well prepared to pursue a professional career as a Computer Scientist or to pursue graduate work in computer science or an area of specialization.
Read more about computing degrees and careers →
The B.S. in Computer Science Program is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Electronics and Technology. Learn More →
Recommended program of study in Computer Science
FIRST YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 1336 Programming Fund I1 | COSC 1337 Programming Fund II1 | ||
| COSC 1173 Programming Lab | COSC 1174 Fund Computing Lab II | ||
| COSC 1172 Think, Speak & Write | Social Science Elective4 | ||
| ENGL 1301 Composition I | ENGL 1302 Comp II | ENGL 1374 Comp | ||
| MATH 2413 Calculus I | Language, Phill & Culture10 | ||
| History 13 | Communication | Modern Language2 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 16 |
SECOND YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 2336 Programming Fund III1 | COSC 2372 Comp Org/Assembly Lang | ||
| MATH 2414 Calculus II | COSC 2375 Discrete Structure | ||
| Approved Lab Science6 | POLS 2302 Gov II | ||
| POLS 2301 Gov I | MATH 2318 Linear Algebra | ||
| History 23 | |||
| Total | 14 | Total | 15 |
THIRD YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC/CPSC/ELEN Elective8 | COSC 3325 Computer Law/Ethics | ||
| Approved Lab Science6 | COSC 3302 Intro Comp Theory | ||
| COSC 3304 Alg Des & Analysis | COSC 3308 Progr. Languages | ||
| MATH 3370 Intro Theory Statistical | Academic Elective9 | ||
| Creative Arts Elective5 | COSC | CPSC Elective7 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 |
FOURTH YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 4302 Operating Systems | CPSC 4333 Distributed Systems | ||
| COSC | CPSC Elective7 | COSC 4310 Computer Architecture | ||
| COSC/CPSC/ELEN Elective8 | CPSC 4361 Sec. SE | CPSC 4363 CyberSec. | ||
| CPSC 4340 DataBase Design | COSC 4272 Senior Assessment | ||
| CPSC 4360 Software Engineering | CPSC 4317 Networks | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 14 |
Notes (120 total hours):
(1) A grade of B or better is required in COSC 1336 before taking COSC 1337. A grade of B or better is required in both COSC 1336 and COSC 1337 before COSC 2336.
(2) Communication : 1315 | 1321 or DSDE 1371 or FREN 1311 or SPAN 1311.
(3) Two semesters of U.S. or Texas history from among : HIST 1301 | 1302| 2301.
(4) Social Science Electives are : ECON 1301 | 2301 | 2302, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, BULW 1370, INEN 2373.
(5) Creative Arts Electives are : ARTS 1301 | 1303, DANC 2304, MUSI 1306 and COMM 1375.
(6) Approved Lab Science must be choose from the following four courses: BIOL 1406 | 1407, PHYS 2425 | 2426.
(7) Acceptable COSE/CPSC electives are : COSC ->3306 | 4301 | 4307 | 4309 | 4319 | 4322 | 4324 | 4345 CPSC -> 3316 | 4315| 4316 | 4320 | 4330 | 4361 | 4363 | 4365 | 4370 | 4375
(8) Acceptable COSC/CPSC/ELEN electives are : COSC/CPSC electives or ELEN -> 3381 | 4486 | 4387 | 4304 (with approval)
(9) Sufficient academic elective hours are required to total 120 hours. Any college level course which offers semesters credit hours is permitted.
(10) ENGL 2300 | 2310 | 2322 | 2326 | 2331 | 2371 | 2376 or PHIL 1370 | 2306
Computer Science Bioinformatics Concentration Suggested Program of Study
The rapidly growing bioinformatics, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries are generating an exciting range of opportunities for those with data analysis and computational biology knowledge and expertise. By merging biology, computer science, and information technology, bioinformatics allows us to combine mathematics and computers to gain a better understanding of biological processes. Bioinformatics majors learn how to use computers and equations to sort and make sense of biological data, including genetic data. Topics of study include algorithms, human interface design, database management, and more.
FIRST YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 1336 Principle of CS I | 3 | COSC 1337 Principles of CS II(a) | 3 |
| COSC 1173 Programming Lab | 1 | Communications of Modern Language(b) | 3 |
| COSC 1172 Thinking, Speaking & Writing | 1 | Social Science Elective(d) | 3 |
| ENGL Comp. I | 3 | ENGL Comp 1302 | 1374 | 3 |
| MATH 2413 Calculus & Analytic Geo I | 4 | MATH 2305 Discrete Math | 3 |
| PHIL 1370 Philosophy of Knowledge | 3 | PEGA | 2 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 17 |
SECOND YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 2336 Data Structures/ Algorithm Analysis | 3 | COSC 2372 Computer Organization & Assembly | 3 |
| MATH 2415 Calculus & Analytic Geo III | 4 | COSC 3304 Algo. Design & Interfaces | 3 |
| BIOL 1406 General Biology. I | 4 | MATH 3370 Probability & Stat | 3 |
| English Lit | 3 | BIOL 1407 General Biology. II | 4 |
| History 1 | 3 | History 2 | 3 |
| Total | 17 | Total | 16 |
THIRD YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEN 3431 | 4 | COSC 3325 Computer Law & Ethics | 3 |
| CPSC 3320 Computer Networks | 3 | COSC 3302 Computer Theory | 3 |
| COSC 3308 Programming Languages | 3 | CPSC 4340 Database Design | 3 |
| MATH 2318 Linear Algebra | 3 | BIOL 3470 Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 General Chemistry | 4 | CPSC 3316 Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Total | 17 | Total | 16 |
FOURTH YEAR
| FALL | SPRING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COSC 4302 Operating Systems | 3 | CPSC 4360 Software Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 4470 Cell Biology | 4 | CPSC 4316 Data Mining & Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Fine Arts Elective(e) | 3 | COSC 4172 Senior Seminar | 1 |
| POLS 2301 American Gov I | 3 | POLS 2302 American Gov II | 3 |
| COSC 4310 Computer Architecture | 3 | BIOL 4404 Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Total | 13 | Total | 14 |
128 Total Hours
COMMENTS:
(1) Changes and substitutions must be approved by the department chair.
(2) Second semester communication/modern language courses must be chosen from the following courses: COMM 1315, 1360, 2335, 2372, 3310 or 3340; or CMDS 2375 ; or an introductory modern language course
(3) Two semesters of U.S. or Texas history from HIST 1301, 1302, 2373, 2374, 1361, 1362, 2377 or 2301.
(4) Social Science Electives are: Social Science Electives are: ECON 1301,PSY 2301, ANTH 2346 or 2351, SOCI 1301 or (both ECON 2301 & ECON 2301)
(5) Fine Arts Electives are: ARTS 1301, DANC 2304, HUMA 1315, MUST 1306 or THEA 1310.
(6) COSC/CPSC/ELEN course by be taken as academic electives. The COSC/CPSC/ELEN electives are: COSC 2370, 4301, 4307, 4319; CPSC 4305, 4320, 4330, 4370; ELEN 3381 and 4387. Others, particularly ELEN 4304 require approval by the department chair.