College of Science and Technology

Department of Biology

Department of Chemistry

Department of Computer Science

Department of Geography

Department of Geology

Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology

Department of Mathematics

Department 
of Physics

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Computer Science (CPS) (ITC)

For information, please contact 
Gongzhu Hu, Chairperson, 774-3774, 412 Pearce Hall

College of Science and Technology Website
Department Website

Why Study Computer Science and Information Technology?
Computer Science at CMU
Computer Science Major - B.A., B.S,
Cognitive Science Major
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Major
Computer Science-Mathematics Major
Computer Technology Major
Information Technology Major
Computer Science Minor - B.A., B.A.A., B.S.
Computer
Information Technology Minor
The Faculty
CPS Course Descriptions
ITC Course Descriptions

Why Study Computer Science or Information Technology?
The study of computer science can lead to such careers as applications programmer, systems programmer/analyst, computer communications specialist, database manager, and consultant. The field serves those students desiring general instruction in computer science, those interested in teaching the subject, and those who want to undertake advanced study of computer science at the graduate level. Information technology graduates will find a variety of career opportunities, including network administration, database administration, Web master, application system designer, multimedia specialist, and customer service technologist.
Top of Page

Computer Science at CMU
The Department of Computer Science offers a major and a minor in computer science, a major and minor in information technology, and an M.S. program in computer science.

An interdepartmental major in computer science and mathematics is offered jointly with the mathematics department.

An interdepartmental major in cognitive science is offered in conjunction with the philosophy and the psychology departments.

Two interdepartmental majors, computer-integrated manufacturing and computer technology, are offered jointly with the Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology. Students desiring a computer science course for general education purposes should consider CPS 100, 110, or 120. The first course for CPS majors and minors is CPS 180. The first course for ITC majors and minors is CPS 110 or CPS 180.

The Department of Computer Science is concerned that students interested in computer science enroll in the courses which best meet their needs or interests. Students should come to the department office to be assigned an advisor.
Top of Page

Majors

Computer Science Major
B.A., B.S. degrees

Required CPS Courses (24 hours):
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
CPS 181 (3) Introduction to Data Structures
CPS 210 (3) Assembly Language and Computer Organization
CPS 340 (3) Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms
CPS 360 (3) Computer Design and Architecture
CPS 370 (3) File Manipulation Techniques
CPS 450 (3) Programming Language Concepts
CPS 470 (3) Introduction to Operating Systems

One of the following (3 hours):
CPS 410 (3) Software Engineering
CPS 468 (3) Systems Programming and Software

Electives (9 hours) in CPS or ITC numbered 280 or above.

Required Mathematics and Statistics courses (13-16 hours):
MTH 175 (3) Discrete Mathematics
MTH 132 (4) Calculus I
OR MTH 136 (5) Calculus I for Engineers and Scientists
MTH 223 (3) Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory
OR MTH 137 (5) Calculus II for Engineers and Scientists
STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis

Total: 49-52 Semester Hours
Top of Page

Cognitive Science Major
B.A., B.S. degree

This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
Top of Page

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Major
B.A., B.S. degree

This is an interdepartmental major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
Top of Page

Computer Science-Mathematics Major
B.A., B.S. degree

This is an interdepartmental major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
Top of Page

Computer Technology Major
B.A., B.S. degree

This is an interdepartmental major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors section.
Top of Page

Information Technology Major
B.A., B.S. degree

Core (24 hours):
Programming sequence (9 hours):
Either:
CPS 110 (3) Information Technology Programming I
ITC 111 (3) Information Technology Programming II
CPS 280C (3) Alternative Programming Languages (C or C++)
OR
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
CPS 181 (3) Introduction to Data Structures
CPS 280V (3) Alternative Programming Languages (Visual Basic)

Other core courses (15 hours):
ITC 290 (3) Computer Hardware Concepts, Installation, Configuration and Support
ITC 291 (3) Computer Software Concepts, Installation, Configuration and Support
CPS 282 (3) Multimedia Technology
ITC 341 (3) Introduction to Databases and Applications
ITC 365 (3) Introduction to Data Communications and Computer Networks

Electives (12 hours):

1. Specialized track (6 hours):
   Each student is required to select one track from the following list (6 hours)

1. Data Communication and Networking
   ITC 465 (3) Network Administration and Security
   CPS 565 (3) Computer Networks
    
2. Database
   ITC 441 (3) Database Administration
   CPS 541 (3) Databases
    
3. Interactive Multimedia Design
   CPS 482 (3) Advanced Multimedia Design
   ITC 582 (3) Multimedia Systems
    
4. Windows Application Development
   ITC 320 (3) Web-based Applications
   CPS 420 (3) Windows Programming
    
5. Custom Track
   A student may choose to develop a customized track by choosing courses from the other IT tracks or courses from another subject area. The courses may be selected from a variety of disciplines at CMU. The objective of this alternative is to allow students to have the opportunity to follow special interests. The student must propose a program of six hours that represent a coordinated area of interest, and the proposal must be approved by an IT advisor.

2. Additional electives (6 hours):
   Each student must take 6 additional elective hours, chosen to complement the student's program goals and approved by an IT advisor. In additional to CPS courses from other IT tracks, or other areas of CPS, possible electives might include courses such as ART 135, ART 235, ART 335, ART 435, BIO 516, BIS 280, BIS 288, BIS 327, EDU 590, GEO 303, GEO 503, HEV 246, HEV 346, HEV 334, HSC 546, IET 154, IET 291, IET 359, IET 394, IET 457, IET 458, IET 502, MGT 335, PSC 585, SOC 210, and TEC 321.

Internship (3 hours):
CPS 395 (3) Internship

Capstone Experience (3 hours):
An IT project as a capstone experience, preferably in the student's area of concentration. It should involve the design and implementation of a solution to a nontrivial IT problem that has some practical meaning in the real world. Capstone experiences may include a special project conducted on- or off-campus under supervision of a faculty member or an internship or service learning project supervised by an off-campus project director in coordination with the advisor.

Students may choose one of the following:
ITC 495 (3) Senior Internship
CPS 497 (3) Independent Study

Cognate Requirements (9-11 hours):
Math Requirements (6-8 hours)
STA 282 (3) Introduction to Statistics
OR STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis

Plus one of:
MTH 132 (4) Calculus I
MTH 136 (5) Calculus I for Engineers and Scientists
MTH 216 (3) Mathematics for Business II
MTH 175 (3) Discrete Mathematics
MTH 223 (3) Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory

Communications Requirements (3 hours):
IPC 264 (3) Organizational Communication
OR IPC 361 (3) Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication

Total: 51-53 Semester Hours
Top of Page

Minors

Computer Science Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S. degrees

A minor in Computer Science will not be approved for students with majors in Cognitive Science, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Computer Technology, or the joint major, Computer Science-Mathematics. A minor in Computer Science will be approved for students with a major in Information Technology only if another major or minor outside of the department is also obtained.

Required Courses (12 hours):
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
CPS 181 (3) Introduction to Data Structures
CPS 210 (3) Assembly Language and Computer Organization
CPS 370 (3) File Manipulation Techniques

Required Mathematics Courses (6 to 8 hours):
MTH 175 (3) Discrete Mathematics
MTH 132 (4) Calculus I
OR MTH 136 (5) Calculus I for Engineers and Scientists
OR MTH 216 (3) Mathematics for Business II

Electives (4-5 hours) in CPS or ITC numbered 280 or above.

Total: 22-25 semester hours
Top of Page

Information Technology Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.F.A., B.S. in B.A., B.S. degrees

A minor in Information Technology will not be approved for students with majors in Cognitive Science, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Computer Technology, or the joint major, Computer Science-Mathematics. A minor in Information Technology will be approved for students with a major in Computer Science only if another major or minor outside of the department is also obtained.

Core (15 hours):
Programming sequence (8 hours):
CPS 110 (3) Information Technology Programming I
ITC 111 (3) Information Technology Programming II
CPS 280C (3) Alternative Programming Languages (C or C++)
OR
CPS 180 (3) Principles of Computer Programming
CPS 181 (3) Introduction to Data Structures
CPS 280V (3) Alternative Programming Languages (Visual Basic)

Other core courses (6 hours):
ITC 290 (3) Computer Hardware Concepts, Installation, Configuration and Support
ITC 291 (3) Computer Software Concepts, Installation, Configuration and Support

Electives (6 hours):
CPS 282 (3) Multimedia Technology
ITC 320 (3) Web-Based Applications
ITC 341 (3) Introduction to Databases and Applications
ITC 365 (3) Introduction to Data Communications and Computer Networks
CPS 395 (3) Internship
CPS 420 (3) Windows Programming
ITC 441 (3) Database Administration
ITC 465 (3) Network Administration and Security
CPS 482 (3) Advanced Multimedia Design

Cognate Requirements (3 hours):
Math Requirements (3 hours)
STA 282 (3) Introduction to Statistics
OR STA 382 (3) Elementary Statistical Analysis

Total:  24 Semester Hours
Top of Page

The faculty: Tom Ahlswede, Hari Bidasaria, Jie Dai, Gongzhu Hu, Jerald Kabell, Patrick Kinnicutt, Roger Lee, S.N.J. Murthy, Ishwar Rattan, Neelima Shrikhande, Lal Singh, Michael Stinson, Ahmet Ugur
Top of Page