Computer Science + Neuroscience, B.A.
What if you could decode the brain — and build the systems to translate it? SLU's Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science + Neuroscience program puts you at the intersection of algorithms and neurons, machine learning and brain science. You'll graduate from Saint Louis University with the technical depth of a software engineer and the scientific grounding of a neuroscientist — a combination that neither field can produce alone.
Curriculum Overview
- Algorithms, data structures and machine learning
- Neural systems, cognitive science and experimental design
- Artificial intelligence and natural language processing
Experiential and Applied Learning
- Research placements in neuroscience labs and at software firms
- Internships with healthcare technology, biomedical device and pharmaceutical firms
- Presentations at interdisciplinary research symposia and professional conferences
Careers
- Computational neuroscientist, neural/BCI engineer, biomedical data scientist
- Clinical, informatics specialist, AI researcher, pharmaceutical analyst
- Typical entry salary: $72,000 – $110,000
Tuition
| Tuition/Fee | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $58,960 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For more information about Saint Louis University scholarships and financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
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Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
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Design, implement, evaluate and test a software system that meets a given set of computing requirements.
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Apply computer science theory, knowledge of computer systems and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
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Communicate effectively to both professional and general audiences in both oral and written forms.
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Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
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Function effectively as a member of a team in developing computing technology and solving technical problems.
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Synthesize computational methods and neuroscientific principles to analyze, design or evaluate problems that require reasoning across both domains.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | 81 | |
| 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 2500 | Computer Organization and Systems | 3 |
| CSCI 2510 | Principles of Computing Systems | 3 |
| CSCI 3100 | Algorithms | 3 |
| CSCI 4961 | Capstone Project I | 2 |
| CSCI 4962 | Capstone Project II | 2 |
| Select one Systems Elective course | 3 | |
| Two additional 3000 or 4000 level CSCI elective courses | 6 | |
| Required Mathematics Courses | ||
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 1660 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| STAT 3850 | Foundation of Statistics | 3 |
| Required Computer Ethics | ||
| PHIL 3050X | Computer Ethics | 3 |
| Neuroscience Requirements | ||
| BIOL 1240 | General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution | 3 |
| BIOL 1245 | Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 1260 | General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter | 3 |
| BIOL 1265 | Principles of Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 3040 | Cell Structure & Function | 3 |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 1115 | General Chemistry 1 Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| CHEM 1125 | General Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 1 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| NEUR 3400 | Introduction to Neuroscience 1: Cellular, Molecular and Systemic | 3 |
| NEUR 3500 | Introduction to Neuroscience 2: Cognitive and Behavioral | 3 |
| University Electives | 4-7 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Introduction to Computer Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Science: Principles | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science: Cybersecurity | ||
| 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 as long as it is not already fulfilling another requirement. Examples of such courses include: | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Computing | ||
| Civil Engineering Computing | ||
| Foundation of Statistics | ||
Systems Electives Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Systems | ||
| Computer Security | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Concurrent and Parallel Programming | ||
| Distributed Computing |
Non-Course Requirements
All School of Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program.
Continuation Standards
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).
Program Notes
At most, three credit hours of internship with industry courses can be applied to the degree.
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- 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 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar | 3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 1300 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming | 4 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245 |
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory |
4 |
| CHEM 1110 & CHEM 1115 |
General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory |
4 |
| CSCI 2100 | Data Structures | 4 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 2500 | Computer Organization and Systems | 3 |
| CSCI 2300 | Object-Oriented Software Design | 3 |
| STAT 3850 | Foundation of Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 1120 & CHEM 1125 |
General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
4 |
| BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265 |
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory |
4 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Systems Elective | 3 | |
| CSCI 2510 | Principles of Computing Systems | 3 |
| BIOL 3040 | Cell Structure & Function | 3 |
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication | 3 |
| CORE | Equity and Global Identities: Global Interdependence | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHIL 3050X | Computer Ethics | 3 |
| CSCI 3000-level or 4000-level elective | 3 | |
| NEUR 3400 | Introduction to Neuroscience 1: Cellular, Molecular and Systemic | 3 |
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2 |
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 4961 | Capstone Project I | 2 |
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 3 |
| CSCI 3100 | Algorithms | 3 |
| NEUR 3500 | Introduction to Neuroscience 2: Cognitive and Behavioral | 3 |
| CORE 4500 | Reflection-in-Action | 0 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 4962 | Capstone Project II | 2 |
| CORE | Eloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive | 3 |
| CORE | Equity and Global Identities: Identities in Context | 3 |
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| CSCI 3000-level or 4000-level elective | 3 | |
| University Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
For more information about computer science programs, please call 314-977-6667 or email cs@slu.edu.
