BS Computer Science | Cal Poly Academic Catalog (2024)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:

  • 60 units of upper-division courses
  • Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
  • 2.0 GPA
  • U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)

Note: No Major or Support courses may be selected as credit/no credit.

MAJOR COURSES
CSC/CPE 101Fundamentals of Computer Science4
CSC/CPE 123Introduction to Computing 14
CSC/CPE 202Data Structures4
CSC/CPE 203Project-Based Object-Oriented Programming and Design4
CSC225Introduction to Computer Organization4
CSC248Discrete Structures4
CSC300Professional Responsibilities4
orPHIL323 Ethics, Science and Technology
Select from the following:4

CSC307

Introduction to Software Engineering

or

CSC308
&CSC309

Software Engineering I
and Software Engineering II 2
Select from the following:4

CSC321

Introduction to Computer Security 3

orCSC323

Cryptography Engineering

orCSC325

Introduction to Privacy: Policy and Technology
CSC349Design and Analysis of Algorithms4
CSC/CPE 357Systems Programming4
Select from the following:4

CSC364

Introduction to Networked, Distributed, and Parallel Computing

or

CPE464
&CPE469

Introduction to Computer Networks
and Distributed Systems 4
CSC365Introduction to Database Systems4
CSC430Programming Languages4
CSC445Theory of Computation I4
CSC/CPE 453Introduction to Operating Systems4
Select from the following:4

CSC491
&CSC492

Senior Project I
and Senior Project II (2, 2)

or

CSC497
&CSC498

Research Senior Project I
and Research Senior Project II (2, 2)
SUPPORT COURSES
ES/WGQS 350Gender, Race, Culture, Science & Technology4
orES351 Gender, Race, Class, Nation in Global Engineering, Technology & International Development
MATH141Calculus I (B4) 54
MATH142Calculus II (B4) 54
MATH143Calculus III (Area B Electives) 54
MATH206Linear Algebra I4
orMATH244 Linear Analysis I
Select from the following: (C2) 54

PHIL230

Philosophical Classics: Knowledge and Reality

PHIL231

Philosophical Classics: Ethics and Political Philosophy

Any GE Area C2 Course

STAT312Statistical Methods for Engineers (Upper-Division B) 54
Life Science Support Elective
Select from the following (B2): 54

BIO111

General Biology

BIO161

Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology

BIO213
&BMED213

Life Science for Engineers
and Bioengineering Fundamentals

BOT121

General Botany

MCRO221

Microbiology
Physical Science Support Elective
Select one sequence from the following (B1 & B3): 512

CHEM124
&CHEM125
&CHEM126

General Chemistry for Physical Science and Engineering I
and General Chemistry for Physical Science and Engineering II
and General Chemistry for Physical Science and Engineering III

PHYS141
&PHYS142
&PHYS143

General Physics I
and General Physics II
and General Physics III
Additional Science Support Elective
Select from the following (Area B Electives): 5,64

BIO111

General Biology

BIO161

Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology

BOT121

General Botany

CHEM124

General Chemistry for Physical Science and Engineering I

MCRO221

Microbiology

PHYS141

General Physics I
Concentration or General Curriculum in Computer Science
(See list of Concentrations and General Curriculum in Computer Science below)24
GENERAL EDUCATION (GE)
(See list of GE program requirements below.)40
FREE ELECTIVES
Free Electives 70
Total units180
1

Although new students are strongly encouraged to take CSC/CPE123, an additional 4 units of CPE/CSC Technical Electives within your selected concentration or, if not selected, the General Curriculum may substitute for CSC/CPE123.

2

CSC309 counts as a Technical Elective. Students in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration or the Privacy and Security concentration are advised to take CSC307 instead of CSC308 and CSC309.

3

Students in the Privacy and Security Concentration must takeCSC321.

4

CPE469 counts as a Technical Elective for the General Curriculum, and the following concentrations: Graphics, Privacy and Security, and Data Engineering.

5

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

6

No double-counting is allowed between Additional Science Support Elective and Life Science Support Elective or Physical Science Support Elective.

7

If a General Education (GE) course is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.

General Curriculum in Computer Science or Concentrations (select one)

  • General Curriculum in Computer Science
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Data Engineering
  • Game Development
  • Graphics
  • Privacy and Security

General Education (GE) Requirements

  • 72 units required, 32 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
  • If any of the remaining 40 units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
  • See the complete GE course listing.
  • A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning).
Area AEnglish Language Communication and Critical Thinking
A1Oral Communication4
A2Written Communication4
A3Critical Thinking4
Area BScientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
B1Physical Science (4 units in Support) 10
B2Life Science (4 units in Support) 10
B3One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course
B4Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (8 units in Support) 10
Upper-Division B (4 units in Support) 10
Area B Electives (8 units in Support) 10
Area CArts and Humanities
Lower-division courses in Area C must come from three different subject prefixes.
C1Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater4
C2Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English (4 units in Support) 10
Lower-Division C Elective - Select a course from either C1 or C2.4
Upper-Division C4
Area DSocial Sciences
D1American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement)4
Area D Elective - Select either a lower-division D2 or upper-division D course.4
Area ELifelong Learning and Self-Development
Lower-Division E4
Area FEthnic Studies
F Ethnic Studies4
Total units40
1

Required in Major or Support; also satisfies General Education (GE) requirement.

BS Computer Science | Cal Poly Academic Catalog (2024)

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