What is Computer Science?
Computer Science is the study of principles, applications, and technologies of computing and computers. It involves the study of data and data structures and the algorithms to process these structures; of principles of computer architecture-both hardware and software; of problem-solving and design methodologies; of computer-related topics such as numerical analysis, operations research, and artificial intelligence; and of language design, structure, and translation technique. Computer Science provides a foundation of knowledge for students with career objectives in a wide range of computing and computer-related professions.
Computer Science graduates begin careers as computer programmers, system analysts, programmer/analysts, software engineers, system programmers, computer system engineers, and in a number of other computer-related jobs. The Bachelor of Science degree is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board. Several double-major programs are also available. A minor in computer science is available to students with major programs of study in other fields at the University. The department also offers study leading to the Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
The Department of Computer Science is dedicated to maintaining quality programs in undergraduate teaching, graduate teaching, and research and to the fruitful interaction between teaching and research. In research, we wish to maintain our emphasis on applications (often pursued with colleagues from other disciplines), and upon the synergistic relationships between theory and applications in which the most meaningful advances often result. The department has identified three specific areas in which we shall seek national prominence: software engineering, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing/scientific visualization.
Learning Objectives
The objectives for the department with respect to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science are:
- The instruction a student receives will be consistent with national norms and will enable the student to become a competent software developer, to understand how computer hardware and software work, and to understand computer science theory.
- The graduate can compete for jobs in the discipline at both the regional and national levels, and will be able to solve technical problems together with co-workers, to use and develop software tools, to communicate effectively in the workplace, and to apply computer science theory to practical circumstances.
- The graduate can compete for admission to graduate programs nationwide, and will be able to continue learning new principles and practices of computing as the field progresses.
- The graduate will understand social and ethical issues that arise from the increased use of technology in society.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree are specified in the annual Bulletin of Mississippi State University (the catalog). Each year the requirements change slightly, and every few years there are substantial changes in requirements. These changes are, of course, to assure that computer science graduates from Mississippi State University are well-prepared and competitive with graduates from any program in the country.
Students beginning their studies at MSU or at a community college who remain in near continuous enrollment can satisfy the requirements for the B.S. degree by completing the requirements specified in the Bulletin for their freshman year OR they can opt for the requirements specified in any more recent Bulletin. However, students must satisfy ALL requirements of one Bulletin, with any course substitution approved in writing by the student's advisor and the Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs.
The degree requirements are presented in the Bulletin in the form of an illustrative program of study showing on order of course enrollments that satisfy the requirements. There are, of course, many others. The requirements from recent Bulletins and a corresponding illustrative program are given above.
Minors in Computer Science
Computer Science has application in a broad range of disciplines, and students with majors in other fields of study may wish to complement their studies with a minor in computer science. Completion of the minor requirements should prepare the student to pursue a career as a computer applications specialist within his/her major field of study or as an entry-level computer programmer in the general computing environment.
A minor in computer science consists of Introduction to Computer Programming (CSE 1284), Intermediate Computer Programming (CSE 1384), Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 2383), Discrete Structures (CSE 2813), and nine hours of approved Computer Science courses. The approved Computer Science courses include all 3000 and 4000 level Computer Science courses. A maximum of three hours of CSE 400x may be applied towards the minor. Computer Engineering and Software Engineering majors are not eligible for the Computer Science minor.
