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Computer Science, B.S.

The Department of Computer Science at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§ offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The B.S. is designed for students who want a greater technical depth of study. It can be paired with other science, mathematics and engineering programs at SLU.

SLU's accelerated master's program allows undergraduate computer science majors to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. Students combine a B.A. or B.S. in computer science with a master's degree in computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence or bioinformatics and computational biology.

Computer science is an exciting, rapidly developing field with vast influence on modern society. Computer science encompasses a broad range of theories and applications. Due to the emphasis on problem-solving skills, computer science is an excellent major for students going into many fields, including technology, business, medicine and law.

Program Highlights

  • A choice of engaging introductory courses allows students to better connect the application of computer science to their interests.
  • Courses are taught in computer labs to allow for hands-on learning; small class sizes allow for rich student-faculty interactions.
  • A curriculum that allows students to see the impact and application of computing throughout society.

Curriculum Overview

Students completing the Bachelor of Science curriculum in computer science obtain a technically rigorous and comprehensive degree modeled upon recommendations of the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission. The Bachelor of Science degree also requiresÌý11 credits of science/engineering, including one sequence of two lab courses.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's location in the Midtown area of St. Louis provides students access to a robust technology community with operations for many Fortune 500 companies and a vibrant start-up culture. This environment provides outstanding opportunities for summer internships, part-time work during the academic year and jobs after graduation.

Our campus is within walking distance of theÌý, a 200-acre (and growing) innovation hub and technology district. Cortex housesÌýSLU's Research Innovation Group,Ìýwhich works on technology transfer and commercial partnerships. Cortex is also home to the weeklyÌýVenture CafeÌý(every Thursday from 3-8 p.m.), which is a great place for students to connect with members of the tech community in a friendly and informal setting. Also in downtown St. Louis is theÌýT-REX Technology Entrepreneur Center, a coworking space and technology incubator.

Our faculty integrate students into their research programs in a variety of ways. Some of our undergraduate students have participated in research experience for undergraduates (REUs), capstone projects and independent research that has resulted in scholarly publications with their faculty mentors. Many students have had opportunities to travel to conferences and present their work.

Careers

Careers related to computer science are routinely found on various "best jobs" lists because of their outstanding combination of excellent pay, satisfying work-life balance and personal reward in seeing the great impact of computing throughout society. As a sample of such listings:Ìý

  • ÌýThe top 100 included software developer (#3),ÌýIT manager (#4), information security analyst (#7),Ìýdata scientist (#8), web developer (#21),Ìýcomputer systems analyst (#61), and computer network architect (#77).
  • named enterprise architectÌýas #1, and many other technology positions appear within the top 25: full stack engineer (#2),Ìýdata scientist (#3),Ìýdevops engineer (#4),Ìýmachine learning engineer (#6),Ìýdata engineer (#8),Ìýsoftware engineer (#8),Ìýjava developerÌý(#9), back end engineer (#11),Ìýcloud engineer (#12) information security engineer (#15),Ìýback end engineer (#16), automation engineer (#21), andÌýUX designer (#24).

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§ also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§ undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.Ìý

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit mustÌýsubmit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

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Tuition Cost Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition $54,760

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

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Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§ education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÖÆƬ³§ makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Graduates will be able to design, implement, evaluate and test a software system that meets a given set of computing requirements.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply computer science theory, knowledge of computer systems and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
  4. Graduates will be able to communicate effectively to both professional and general audiences in both oral and written forms.
  5. Graduates will be able to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  6. Graduates will be able to function effectively as members of a team in developing computing technology and solving technical problems.

Computer science students must complete a minimum total of 76 creditsÌýfor the major.

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements
Select a CSCI 10xx: Introduction to Computer Science3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý1300Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming4
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2100Data Structures4
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2300Object-Oriented Software Design3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2500Computer Organization and Systems3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2510Principles of Computing Systems3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3100Algorithms3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3200Programming Languages3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3300Software Engineering3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý4961Capstone Project I2
°ä³§°ä±õÌý4962Capstone Project II2
Select a Systems Elective Course3
Two additional 3000 or 4000 level CSCI elective courses6
Required Mathematics Courses
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1510Calculus I4
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1520Calculus II4
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1660Discrete Mathematics3
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý3850Foundation of Statistics3
Additional MATH or STAT courses at the 2000 level or above6
Required Computer Ethics
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý3050³ÝComputer Ethics3
Required Science/Engineering Courses
Select 8 credit sequence in a single lab science.8
An additional 3 credits of any science/engineering course, excluding courses in the CSCI subject code.3
General Electives24-27
Total Credits123

Non-Course Requirements

All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program.Ìý

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.

ÌýIntroduction to Computer Science

CSCIÌý1010
Introduction to Computer Science: Principles
CSCIÌý1020
Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics
CSCIÌý1025
Introduction to Computer Science: Cybersecurity
CSCIÌý1030
Introduction to Computer Science: Game Design
CSCIÌý1040
Introduction to Computer Science: Mobile Computing
CSCIÌý1050
Introduction to Computer Science: Multimedia
CSCIÌý1060
Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming
CSCIÌý1070
Introduction to Computer Science: Taming Big Data
CSCIÌý1080
Introduction to Computer Science: World Wide Web
CSCIÌý1090
Introduction to Computer Science: Special Topics
With permission, a computing-intensive course from another discipline may be substituted. Examples of such courses include:
BMEÌý2000
Biomedical Engineering Computing
CVNGÌý1500
Civil Engineering Computing
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý3850
Foundation of Statistics

Systems Electives Courses

CSCIÌý4500
Advanced Operating Systems
CSCIÌý4530
Computer Security
CSCIÌý4550
Computer Networks
CSCIÌý4610
Concurrent and Parallel Programming
CSCIÌý4620
Distributed Computing

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
CSCI 10xxIntroduction to Computer Science 3
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1510 Calculus I 4
University Core and/or General Electives 9
ÌýCredits16
Spring
°ä³§°ä±õÌý1300 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming 4
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1520 Calculus II 4
University Core and/or General Electives 3
PHILÌý2050 Ethics 3
ÌýCredits14
Year Two
Fall
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2100 Data Structures 4
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2500 Computer Organization and Systems 3
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1660 Discrete Mathematics 3
Science I with lab 4
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý3050³Ý Computer Ethics 3
ÌýCredits17
Spring
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2300 Object-Oriented Software Design 3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý2510 Principles of Computing Systems 3
MATHÌý3850 Foundation of Statistics 3
Science II with lab ‡ 4
University Core and/or General Electives 2
ÌýCredits15
Year Three
Fall
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3100 Algorithms 3
Systems Elective Course 3
Additional Mathematics/Statistics (2000+) 3
Science or Engineering 3-4
University Core and/or General Electives 3
ÌýCredits15-16
Spring
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3200 Programming Languages 3
°ä³§°ä±õÌý3300 Software Engineering 3
Additional Mathematics/Statistics (2000+) 3
University Core and/or General Electives 6
ÌýCredits15
Year Four
Fall
°ä³§°ä±õÌý4961 Capstone Project I 2
CSCI 3000+Elective 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
ÌýCredits14
Spring
°ä³§°ä±õÌý4962 Capstone Project II 2
CSCI 3000+Elective 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
ÌýCredits14
ÌýTotal Credits120-121
‡

ÌýMust be in same discipline as Science I to form sequence.

Introduction to Computer Science

CSCIÌý1010
Introduction to Computer Science: Principles
CSCIÌý1020
Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics
CSCIÌý1025
Introduction to Computer Science: Cybersecurity
CSCIÌý1030
Introduction to Computer Science: Game Design
CSCIÌý1040
Introduction to Computer Science: Mobile Computing
CSCIÌý1050
Introduction to Computer Science: Multimedia
CSCIÌý1060
Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming
CSCIÌý1070
Introduction to Computer Science: Taming Big Data
CSCIÌý1080
Introduction to Computer Science: World Wide Web
CSCIÌý1090
Introduction to Computer Science: Special Topics
With permission, a computing-intensive course from another discipline may be substituted. Examples of such courses include:
BMEÌý2000
Biomedical Engineering Computing
CVNGÌý1500
Civil Engineering Computing
³§°Õ´¡°ÕÌý3850
Foundation of Statistics

Systems Elective Courses

CSCIÌý4500
Advanced Operating Systems
CSCIÌý4530
Computer Security
CSCIÌý4550
Computer Networks
CSCIÌý4610
Concurrent and Parallel Programming
CSCIÌý4620
Distributed Computing

Students can complete a B.S. in computer scienceÌýat SLU’s campus in Madrid; they may also transfer freely between the Madrid and St. Louis campuses.

Learn More

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.Ìý