Diagram of Courses and Prerequisites
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree programs are available to students through either the College of Arts and Sciences or the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. The two programs are identical in the fundamental requirements in mathematics and computer science, and the programs are appropriate for entry into management or industrial positions. They are also appropriate for continued graduate study, though students considering graduate study are strongly encouraged to consider taking part in a research project during their junior year. The two BS programs differ in their non-computer science content in that the students must fulfill the distribution requirements of the respective colleges. The result of this difference is that the Arts and Sciences program requires 127 credit hours, whereas the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science program requires 130 credit hours. Students with interests in management, finance, data processing, and information handling may find the Arts and Science College program more appropriate and students with interests in engineering and science applications may find the Engineering and Applied Science College program more appropriate. The required courses for the degrees contain the fundamentals of discrete mathematics, structured programming, algorithms, computer architectures, operating systems, and programming languages. A strong foundation in mathematics is required. This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org/.
Consult Lehigh University Catalog. for the distribution requirements of the College of Arts & Science
REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Total required credit hours: 127
Required Computer Science courses (34 credit hours):
CSE 003 Introduction to Programming, Part A (2) AND CSE 004 Introduction to Programming, Part B (2)
OR CSE 007 Introduction to Programming (4) - Change to CSE intro sequence: CSE 003, 004 and 007
CSE 17 Programming and Data Structures (3)
CSE 109 Systems Software (4)
CSE 140 Foundations of Discrete Structures and Algorithms (3)**
CSE 202 Computer Organization and Architecture (3)
CSE 216 Software Engineering (3)
CSE 262 Programming Languages (3)
CSE 280 Capstone Project I (3)
CSE 281 Capstone Project II (2)
CSE 303 Operating System Design (3)
CSE 340 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
Required Math and Science courses (30 credits):
MATH 21 Calculus I (4)
MATH 22 Calculus II (4)
MATH 23 Calculus III (4)
MATH 205 Linear Methods (3)
MATH 231 Probability & Statistics (3)
Twelve credit Natural Sciences, such that one course has an attached laboratory and such that two courses are in a laboratory science with the first course prerequisite to the second course. Suggested sequences can be found here.
Required approved electives (21 credits):
15 credit hours of CSE courses. Any CSE course 200-level for above unless explicitly excluded by the department. The department highly recommends that students give focus to their approved electives by following one of the tracks listed in the department website.
An additional 6 credit hours in area of science and technology (i.e. any engineering or natural science course), chosen by the student with the approval of the student’s advisor.
Humanities and Social Science (HSS) requirements (30 credits):
ENGL 1 Composition and Literature (3)
ENGL 2 Composition and Literature II (3)
CSE 252 Computers, Internet and Society (3)
An additional 21 credit hours of HSS courses that satisfy the Arts and Sciences College distribution requirements.
Free electives (12 credit hours)
The student has some flexibility in choosing the sequence of courses, because many of the courses are offered every semester. For a list of all CSE courses and when they are offered, and for suggested sequences of courses to satisfy the degree requirements, see when courses are offered.