Computer Science, B.A.
Saint Louis University
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Computer science is an exciting, rapidly developing field that has vast influence on modern society. Computer science encompasses a broad range of theory and applications. Due to the emphasis on problem-solving skills, computer science is an excellent major for students going into many fields, including technology, business, medicine and law.
The Department of Computer Science at Saint Louis University offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The B.A. curriculum includes a broad liberal arts study and can be combined with a second major or minor in fields such as art, criminal science or psychology.
SLU's accelerated master's program allows SLU undergraduate computer science majors to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. Students combine a B.A. or B.S. in Computer Science with a master's degree in computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, or bioinformatics and computational biology.
Highlights include:
Students completing the Bachelor of Arts curriculum in computer science obtain a rigorous, comprehensive background in the discipline. With this curriculum, they are afforded time to delve into other academic interests, including pre-professional studies or a minor or major in another discipline. Students should consult with their advisor to tailor their computer science electives to their individual goals.
Because of our location in the Midtown area of St. Louis, our students have access to a strong technology community, with operations for many Fortune 500 companies and a vibrant startup community. This provides outstanding opportunities for summer internships, part-time work during the academic year, and future jobs after graduation.
Our campus is within walking distance of the Cortex Innovation Community, a vibrant 200-acre (and growing) innovation hub and technology district. Cortex is home to SLU's Research Innovation Group which works on technology transfer and commercial partnerships. Cortex is also home to the weekly Venture Cafe (every Thursday from 3-8 p.m.), which is a great place for students to connect with members of the tech community in a friendly and informal setting. Also in downtown St. Louis is the T-REX Technology Entrepreneur Center, a coworking space and technology incubator.
Our faculty have integrated students into their research programs in a variety of ways. Some of our undergraduate students have participated in REUs (research experience for undergraduates), capstone projects and independent research that has resulted in scholarly publications with their faculty mentors. Graduate students have been hired as research assistants to work with faculty on research grants and have collaborated with faculty mentors as part of research courses. Many students have had opportunities to travel to conferences and present their work.
In recent years, SLU computer science students have accepted paid internships and full-time jobs with the following organizations:
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Computer Science students must complete a minimum total of 53 credits for the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirement | ||
| College core requirements | 57-66 | |
| For additional information about core courses | ||
| Required Computer Science Courses | ||
| Select a CSCI 10xx: Introduction to Computer Science | 3 | |
| CSCI 1300 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| CSCI 2100 | Data Structures | 4 |
| CSCI 2300 | Object-Oriented Software Design | 3 |
| CSCI 2400 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSCI 3500 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSCI 4961 | Capstone Project I | 2 |
| CSCI 4962 | Capstone Project II | 2 |
| Select one Applied Systems course | 3 | |
| Select one Theory course | 3 | |
| Two additional CSCI courses at 3000-level or higher | 6 | |
| Required Mathematics Courses | ||
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I † | 4 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 1660 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| One additional MATH/STAT course at the 2000-level or higher | 3 | |
| Required Computer Ethics | ||
| PHIL 3410 | Computer Ethics † | 3 |
| General Electives | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| † | In addition to the major this course fulfills the A&S college core requirements |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Science: Principles | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Game Design | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Mobile Computing | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Multimedia | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Taming Big Data | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: World Wide Web | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Special Topics | ||
| With permission, a computing-intensive course from another discipline may be substituted. Examples of such courses include: | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Computing | ||
| Civil Engineering Computing | ||
| Foundation of Statistics | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Networks | ||
| Databases | ||
| Computer Security | ||
| High-Performance Computing |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithms | ||
| Programming Languages |
After declaring a Computer Science major, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 in Computer Science courses by the conclusion of their second year as a major, and maintain such a GPA at the conclusion of each semester thereafter. Furthermore, students should require at most two attempts to successfully complete any computer science courses required for the major (where an unsuccessful attempt is considered a D or F for courses numbered 2100 and lower, and an F in higher-level courses). Students are also expected to make adequate progress in the major, typically by enrolling in at least one computer science course per semester until completing their coursework (with exceptions made for premed scholars during their first year, and all students if studying abroad or facing other such extenuating circumstances).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Components and Credits | ||
| Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
| Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Global Citizenship | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 6 | |
| Philosophy | 9 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Theology | 9 | |
| World History | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57-66 | |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CSCI 10xx: Introduction to Computer Science | 3 | |
| MATH 1660 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| Core | Science | 3-4 |
| ENGL 1900 or ENGL 1940 |
Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research or Advanced Writing |
3 |
| THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 1300 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Core | Science | 3-4 |
| Core | Foreign Language 1010 | 3 |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 2100 | Data Structures | 4 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Core | Foreign Language 1020 | 3 |
| Core | Fine and Performing Arts | 3 |
| HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 2300 | Object-Oriented Software Design | 3 |
| CSCI 2400 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Core | Foreign Language 2010 | 3 |
| PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
| HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 3500 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| Additional Mathematics/Statistics (2000+) | 3 | |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
| Core | Theology 2xxx | 3 |
| Core | Social Science | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI Applied Systems Course | 3 | |
| CSCI 3000+ | Elective | 3 |
| PHIL 3410 | Computer Ethics | 3 |
| Core | Literature | 3 |
| Core | Social Science | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 4961 | Capstone Project I | 2 |
| CSCI Theory Course | 3 | |
| Core | Theology 3xxx | 3 |
| Core | Cultural Diversity in the U.S. | 3 |
| Pure Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 4962 | Capstone Project II | 2 |
| CSCI | 3000+ Elective | 3 |
| Core | Literature | 3 |
| Core | Global Citizenship | 3 |
| Pure Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 119-121 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Science: Principles | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Game Design | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Mobile Computing | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Multimedia | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Taming Big Data | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: World Wide Web | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Special Topics | ||
| With permission, a computing-intensive course from another discipline may be substituted. Examples of such courses include: | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Computing | ||
| Civil Engineering Computing | ||
| Foundation of Statistics | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Networks | ||
| Databases | ||
| Computer Security | ||
| High-Performance Computing |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithms | ||
| Programming Languages |