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:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

For more information about Saint Louis University scholarships and financial aid, please visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.

  2. Design, implement, evaluate and test a software system that meets a given set of computing requirements.

  3. Apply computer science theory, knowledge of computer systems and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

  4. Communicate effectively to both professional and general audiences in both oral and written forms.

  5. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

  6. Function effectively as a member of a team in developing computing technology and solving technical problems.

  7. Synthesize computational methods and neuroscientific principles to analyze, design or evaluate problems that require reasoning across both domains.

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements81
Select a CSCI 10xx: Introduction to Computer Science3
CSCI 1300Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming4
CSCI 2100Data Structures4
CSCI 2300Object-Oriented Software Design3
CSCI 2500Computer Organization and Systems3
CSCI 2510Principles of Computing Systems3
CSCI 3100Algorithms3
CSCI 4961Capstone Project I2
CSCI 4962Capstone Project II2
Select one Systems Elective course3
Two additional 3000 or 4000 level CSCI elective courses6
Required Mathematics Courses
MATH 1510Calculus I4
MATH 1520Calculus II4
MATH 1660Discrete Mathematics3
STAT 3850Foundation of Statistics3
Required Computer Ethics
PHIL 3050XComputer Ethics3
Neuroscience Requirements
BIOL 1240General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution3
BIOL 1245Principles of Biology I Laboratory1
BIOL 1260General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter3
BIOL 1265Principles of Biology II Laboratory1
BIOL 3040Cell Structure & Function3
CHEM 1110General Chemistry 13
CHEM 1115General Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 1120General Chemistry 23
CHEM 1125General Chemistry 2 Laboratory1
PSY 1010General Psychology3
NEUR 3400Introduction to Neuroscience 1: Cellular, Molecular and Systemic3
NEUR 3500Introduction to Neuroscience 2: Cognitive and Behavioral3
University Electives4-7
Total Credits120

Introduction to Computer Science

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

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.
Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CSCI 10XXIntroduction 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
 Credits16
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
 Credits14
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
 Credits16
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
 Credits17
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
COREEquity and Global Identities: Global Interdependence 3
 Credits15
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
 Credits14
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
 Credits14
Spring
CSCI 4962 Capstone Project II 2
COREEloquentia Perfecta: Writing Intensive 3
COREEquity 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
 Credits14
 Total Credits120

For more information about computer science programs, please call 314-977-6667 or email cs@slu.edu