Program Overview

Program Overview

Placing the computer at the service of the sciences, the Computer Science - Concentration in Scientific Software Development program is designed to equip students with the skills to design programs instrumental to scientific research and communication.

Program Description

Scientific Software Developers design programs that capture, organize, and display data, engage in complex analysis, or enable powerful observational mechanisms. This program helps prepare students for a career in scientific software development or for further study in a Ph.D. program.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Computer Science - Concentration in Scientific Software Development program is as follows:

First Year

• Fall Semester:
  • College Composition (COM1103, 3 credits)
  • Foundations of Computer Science (MCS1243, 3 credits)
  • Calculus 1 (MCS1414, 4 credits)
  • Engaging Ancient Texts (HUM1213, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 13
• Spring Semester:
  • Engaging Modern Texts (HUM1223, 3 credits)
  • Calculus 2 (MCS1424, 4 credits)
  • Computer Science 1 (MCS1514, 4 credits)
  • Coding Club (1st of 2) (MCS1111, 1 credit)
  • SSC Elective (SSC2XX3, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 15

Second Year

• Fall Semester:
  • LLT Elective (LLT2XX3, 3 credits)
  • Calculus 3 (MCS2414, 4 credits)
  • Computer Science 2 (MCS2514, 4 credits)
  • Discrete Math (MCS2523, 3 credits)
  • Technical and Prof. Communication (COM2103, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 17
• Spring Semester:
  • Data Structures (MCS2534, 4 credits)
  • Intro to Functional Programming (MCS3633, 3 credits)
  • Intro to Data Science (MCS2403, 3 credits)
  • MCS Seminar (MCS2111, 1 credit)
  • University Physics 1 (PHY2413, 3 credits)
  • University Physics 1 Lab (PHY2421, 1 credit)
  • Total Credits: 15

Third Year

• Fall Semester:
  • Coding Club (2nd of 2) (MCS1111, 1 credit)
  • Software Engineering I (MCS3643, 3 credits)
  • Computer Architecture and Assembly (MCS3663, 3 credits)
  • Intro to Database Systems (MCS2543, 3 credits)
  • University Physics 2 (PHY2423, 3 credits)
  • University Physics 2 Lab (PHY2431, 1 credit)
  • Linear Algebra (MCS3863, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 17
• Spring Semester:
  • Operating Systems (MCS4663, 3 credits)
  • Topics in MCS (MCS4993, 3 credits)
  • Natural Sciences Elective (BIO/PHY/CHM/GLG/PSC xxx3, 3 credits)
  • Computational Physics (PHY 3513, 3 credits)
  • Career Pathways Lab (MCS4001, 1 credit)
  • General Elective (GENxxx3, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 16

Fourth Year

• Fall Semester:
  • Computer Networks (MCS4613, 3 credits)
  • Senior Project (MCS4833, 3 credits)
  • Theory of Computation (MCS5243, 3 credits)
  • Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition (MCS5623, 3 credits)
  • LLT/PSY Junior/Senior Elective (COM4001, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 15
• Spring Semester:
  • Comparative Prog. Languages (MCS4643, 3 credits)
  • Deep Learning and Neural Networks (MCS5713, 3 credits)
  • Senior Project 2 (MCS4843, 3 credits)
  • Ethics of Computation (SSC3743, 3 credits)
  • Junior/Senior Natural Sciences Elective (BIO/PHY/CHM/GLG/PSC 3/4xx3, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 15

Graduate Year

• Fall Semester:
  • Algorithm Design & Analysis (MCS5803, 3 credits)
  • Computer Science Graduate Elective (MCS5/6xx3, 3 credits)
  • Adv Topics in Computer Science (MCS6xx3, 3 credits)
  • Collab Research Project 1 or MS Thesis 1 (MCS 7013 or MCS 7113, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 12
• Spring Semester:
  • Computer Science Graduate Elective (MCS 5/6xx3, 3 credits)
  • Adv Topics in Computer Science (MCS 6xx3, 3 credits)
  • Collab Research Project 2 or MS Thesis 2 (MCS 7033 or MCS 7133, 3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 9

Combined Bachelor's Master's Concentrations

The university also offers the following combined Bachelor's-Master's concentrations:

• Computer Science – Concentration in Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science – Concentration in Cybersecurity
• Computer Science – Concentration in Scientific Software Development