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2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin
Computer Science, BA Major in
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The BA major in computer science program has two tracks: general (I) and individual (II).
The general track follows the traditional computer science curriculum. The individual track allows for a partially individualized program of study in which a student would take, with the same computer science faculty member, 9 s.h. of independent study/senior design courses designed to accommodate the interests of both student and faculty member. Apart from the difference in the 9 s.h. of individualized study, the two tracks are identical. Note that there is a single BA degree program; no separate designation for the individual track will appear on the student’s transcript.
Program Objectives
Graduates of the BA in computer science program will:
- Advance in graduate studies or be successful practitioners in applied or theoretical fields;
- Apply communication and organizational skills in the context of ethical issues affecting the discipline or society;
- Think critically and creatively to solve local or global problems and become lifelong learners and contributors to society;
- Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems effectively and efficiently and to advance computer science in applied areas.
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General Track (I) Program Requirements
Candidates for graduation must complete computer science requirements, mathematics and natural science requirements, and the general BA degree requirements. A grade of C- or better is required in all courses required for the major. An overall average of C or better is required in CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 024 for continuation in the major. In addition, a student may not take any of these four courses more than twice.
General Track (I) Computer Science Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 39
39 semester hours (27 semester hours in required courses and 12 semester hours in computer science electives). The required computer science courses include CSC 014 , 015 , 016 017 , 024 , 110 , 112 , 120 or 161 and 163 . The 12 s.h. in computer science electives must be in courses numbered higher than 100. Freshmen are encouraged to take the first-year seminars, CSC 014F and 014S , when offered. Individual Track (II) Program Requirements
Candidates for graduation must complete computer science requirements, mathematics and natural science requirements, and the general BA degree requirements. A grade of C- or better is required in all courses required for the major. An overall average of C or better is required in CSC 014 , 015 and 016 , for continuation in the major. In addition, a student may not take any of these four courses more than twice.
Individual Track (II) Computer Science Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 39
39 semester hours (30 semester hours in required courses and 9 semester hours in computer science electives). The required computer science courses include CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 110 , 112 , 143 A-Z (3 s.h.), 144 A-Z (3 s.h.), 163 , and senior design research sequence 197A and 197B (each 1 s.h.), and senior seminar sequence 198F and 198S (each 0.5 s.h.). The 9 semester hours in computer science electives must be in courses numbered higher than 100, excluding CSC 194. Freshmen are encouraged to take the first-year seminars, CSC 014F and 014S , when offered.
CSC 143 A-Z and 144 A-Z , 197A and 197B allow students to find a mentor and build a lasting relationship with a faculty member. Students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Hofstra professor and explore advanced and exciting computing areas that are not covered in traditional courses, or to tailor their BA computing degree to their individual interdisciplinary interests and relate them to computing. The individualized program must be coordinated and approved by the BA program director.
Mathematics Requirement for Both Tracks
Oral Communication For Both Tracks
All candidates for both tracks for the BA major in Computer Science are required to take, in partial fulfillment of the humanities distribution requirement and in fulfillment of the departmental oral communication requirement, either RHET 001 or 007 . 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
(a) Senior Design Project - Semester Hours: 2
(b) Two senior seminar courses - Semester Hours: 1
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
A. Senior Design Project
A two-semester Independent Senior Design Project sequence (2 s.h.) as follows:
B. Two Senior Seminar Courses
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: 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:
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:
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:
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:
Recommended Program Sequence - Total Hours: 124
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