Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Computer Science, BS Major in


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Program Objectives

The B.S. in Computer Science program strives to allow graduates to achieve at least one of the following program educational objectives:

  1. Become successful practicing professionals and attain leadership positions in the computing industry;
  2. Pursue graduate studies and attain a graduate degree in computing or related fields at reputable universities.
  3. Become innovators or entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving computing field by practicing professionally in multi-disciplinary environments.

Program Requirements


Candidates for graduation must fulfill the following requirements as well as the general BS degree requirements.

1. The Successful Completion of at Least 124 Semester Hours


The successful completion of at least 124 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra.

2. Liberal Arts


A minimum of 62 semester hours must be in liberal arts courses.

3. Residence Requirements


There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 15 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 15 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. Writing and Composition


WSC 001  and 002 , or placement examination (see University Degree Requirements).  If this requirement is fulfilled by passing the placement examination, the 6 s.h. in the humanities or social sciences should be taken with adviser’s approval.

5. Humanities Distribution


3 semester hours in appreciation and analysis—literature (LT) distribution courses.

6. Social Sciences Distribution


3 semester hours in history and philosophy (HP) and 3 semester hours in behavioral social sciences (BH) distribution courses.

7. Cross-Cultural Distribution


3 semester hours in cross-cultural (CC) distribution courses.

8. Humanities and/or Social Science


Additional 6 semester hours, not limited to distribution courses.

9. Minimum Requirements in the Major


Includes computer science requirements, mathematics requirements, and natural sciences requirements.

Computer Science Requirements


58 semester hours in computer science (46 of those are in required courses and 12 in computer science electives). The required computer science courses are CSC 014, 015, 016, 017, 024, 110, 110A, 112, 120, 123, 161, 163, 185, 190, 194, and the senior design sequence 197A and 197B to be taken concurrently with the senior seminar sequence CSC 198F and 198S. The 12 semester hours in computer science electives must be in courses numbered higher than 100, excluding CSC 199 and CSC 199E. Freshmen are encouraged to take the first-year seminars, CSC 014F and 014S, when offered. Students are strongly encouraged to take internship courses CSC 199 and CSC 199E to obtain professional job experience.

Mathematics Requirements


MATH 071 and 072, and at least 3 semester hours in mathematics, in course(s) numbered higher than MATH 072, excluding MATH 103.

Natural Science Requirements


One two-semester sequence of science courses with laboratories (PHYS 11A & 11B and 12A & 12B, or CHEM 3A & 3B and 4A & 4B, or BIO 11 and 12), and at least one additional 3 semester hours course for science majors.

10. A Grade of C- or Better


A grade of C- or better in all courses required for the major.

11. An Overall Average of C or Better


An overall average of C or better is required in CSC 14, 15, 16, and 24 for continuation in the major.  In addition, a student may not take any of these four courses more than twice.

 

Footnotes


1 If this requirement is fulfilled by passing the placement examination, 6 semester hours in the humanities or social sciences should be taken with adviser’s approval.

2 Students taking BIOL 112 and BIOL 113 as part of their Natural Science requirements must take BIOL 111 first if high school GPA < 3.4 and must take CHEM 003A and BIOL 112 before taking BIOL 113. The sequence of three courses, BIOL 112, CHEM 003A, and BIOL 113, will fulfill the Natural Science requirements.

 

Complete BS Requirements


BS Requirements  in Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

OLIC & CLIC



Option in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (OLIC)


Like the Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (CLIC) , the option targets students who are interested in pursuing innovations in the computing field that can have an impact on society. Through an intensive, 9-semester-hour program, students in the option will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-technology computing areas, to develop basic skills needed to start their own company or to work for a start-up company, and to work effectively as part of globally distributed teams. This option is particularly suited for Computer Engineering students whose program permits only a limited number of free electives. The option does not include the business courses offered by the Zarb School of Business that are part of the concentration.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015  and 016 , and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to declare the option. If interested, they should speak with the program coordinator prior to declaring the concentration.

OLIC Requirements - Semester Hours: 9


1. Major requirements


All the requirements for the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

2. CSC 194 - Semester Hours: 3


3. CSC 199E - Semester Hours: 3


4. Senior Requirements


(a) Senior Design Project - Semester Hours: 2


(b) Two senior seminar courses - Semester Hours: 1


  • Semester Hours: .5
  • Semester Hours: .5
  • to be paired with the Independent Senior Design courses: in one semester a student must take simultaneously an Independent Senior Design Course and a Senior Seminar course. Interested students will have the opportunity to work in globally distributed teams.

5. Grade requirement


All courses in the option must be taken with a grade of C- or better.


Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (CLIC)


This concentration targets students who are interested in pursuing innovations in the computing field that can have an impact on society, who want to bridge their technical degree with business, and who are motivated to further increase their knowledge of the entrepreneurship and business functions of the computing industry. Students will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-tech computing areas, to understand the computing business environment and the roles of core business divisions (such as marketing and accounting), to integrate entrepreneurial and computing skills, and to work effectively in globally distributed teams.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , and 016  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to declare the concentration. If interested, they should speak with the program coordinator prior to declaring the concentration.

CLIC Requirements - Semester Hours: 18


1. Major Requirements


All the requirements for the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

2. The following four courses offered by the Zarb School of Business*:


3. Internship in Leadership and Innovation in Computing - Semester Hours: 3


4. Senior Requirements


A. Senior Design Project


A two-semester Independent Senior Design Project sequence (2 s.h.) as follows:

B. Two Senior Seminar Courses


  • Semester Hours: .5
  • Semester Hours: .5
  •  

    NOTE: to be paired with the Independent Senior Design course. In both semesters students must take simultaneously an Independent Senior Design Course and a Senior Seminar course. Interested students will have the opportunity to work on globally distributed teams.

5. Grade requirement


All courses in the concentration must be taken with a grade of C- or better.

Footnotes (*/**/***)


*Non-business majors may take no more than 25 percent of their course work in business subjects.

**IT 015 , usually a prerequisite for ENTR 120  and ACCT 101 , is waived for Computer Science students enrolled in CLIC.

***Note that MKT 101  is a corequisite for ENTR 120 .

Concentration in Gaming and Graphics


The Concentration in Gaming and Graphics is aimed at educating students in the design and development of video games and game engines.  This is a very exciting and growing industry. Video games have permeated all segments of population and industry from entertainment to educational. All courses in this concentration include a significant experiential component. 

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to register for this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Gaming and Graphics. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

Concentration in Networking and Cybersecurity


The concentration in Networking and Cybersecurity is aimed at educating students in the growing field of cybersecurity.  Security of data and computer systems is one of the most important topics in today’s online world. Any application or system must have ways to prevent and protect from cyber attacks, to allow secure access and protection of data stored in distributed locations accessible online. Courses in this concentration offer a hands-on approach to learning networking, security and systems programming. All courses include a significant experiential component. 

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to complete this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Chosen from the following:

Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Networking and Cybersecurity. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

Concentration in Web and Mobile Engineering


The concentration in Web and Mobile Engineering is aimed at educating students in the field of Web and mobile computer applications. This is a continually growing and changing field. Almost all computer applications must provide access on the Web and/or mobile devices. Courses in this concentration offer a hands-on approach to learning Web and mobile programming.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to register for this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Chosen from the following:

Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Web and Mobile Engineering. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

Concentration in Artificial Intelligence


The Concentration in Artificial Intelligence is aimed at educating students in algorithms and systems for artificial intelligence and machine learning.  Artificial Intelligence is considered to be the next industrial revolution and had wide applications from defense and security, to agriculture, to medicine and to education. All courses in this concentration include a significant experiential component.  

Application criteria: Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014  , 015 016   and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to declare this concentration. 

 

The concentration consists of 12 semester hours. It includes:


3 Semester Hours


The last 3 semester hours of the concentration will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to the concentration. The senior design project consists of a two semester or year-long sequence as follows: 

Second Semester:


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