Computer Science, B.S. (Engineering)

Program Code: CMPSC_BS and CSENG_BS

Program Description

Computer Science is the study of computation, including its principles and foundations, its efficient implementation, its analysis, and its practical use in a wide range of different application areas. Computer Science is far more than just programming and no other science or engineering discipline has had a greater impact in such diverse areas as commerce, communication, entertainment, finance, medicine, the social sciences, the physical sciences and the life sciences. Computer Science impacts our daily lives in a multitude of ways and computer scientists are instrumental in driving these changes. Computer Science transforms the way we look at and live in our world.

The mission of our undergraduate program is to prepare our students fora wide range of careers as computer scientists, software engineers, software developers, and related positions in the field of computing. Our curriculum covers fundamental programming techniques and skills, broad knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, programming languages, the mathematical foundations of computing, and advanced topics in software design and application development. Recurrent themes in the program include security, algorithmic complexity, cooperating systems, performance evaluation, and software correctness. This curriculum provides students with the skills needed to design, develop, evaluate, and analyze software solutions to a wide spectrum of computational problems and prepares them to be leaders in the rapidly changing field of computing throughout their careers.

What is Computer Science?

Computer science is the study of computational methods, including their principles and foundations, their efficient implementation, their analyses, and their practical application in wide-ranging areas. It includes the foundations of software development, computational problem solving, the principles of system software, and the fundamental principles and limits of computing. It is much more than just programming. It includes the mathematical foundations that support analyzing, evaluating, and proving the correctness of computational solutions. It includes specializations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data mining, high-performance computing, computer networks, computer graphics, computer vision, quantum computing, and others. It is continually evolving with the development of new and faster forms of computation and with the identification of new problems that require computational solutions.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You are interested in creating solutions to challenging problems involving computers
  • You want to understand how to build and analyze complex software solutions
  • You want to understand how computer hardware and software work and how to make them better
  • You want to design software that impacts and improves people’s everyday lives

Entrance to Major

University Park (CMPSC_BS)

This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.

First-Year Students Entering Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:

  • be enrolled in the College of Engineering or the Division of Undergraduate Studies
  • 29-55 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
  • completed with a grade of C or better: CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131, CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132, MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 211
  • earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.20

Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2024

Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2024 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should consult with their academic adviser about the administrative enrollment controls in effect for the semester they entered the university.

Beaver, Brandywine, Hazleton (CSENG_BS)

In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements by the end of the semester during which the admission to major process is carried out:

*

In the event that the major is under enrollment control, a higher minimum cumulative grade-point average is likely to be needed and students must be enrolled in the College of Engineering or Division of Undergraduate Studies at the time of confirming their major choice.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, a minimum of 127 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Requirements for the Major 106-108

24 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Prescribed Courses
CMPSC 464Introduction to the Theory of Computation3
MATH 220Matrices Keystone/General Education Course2-3
MATH 230Calculus and Vector Analysis4
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CMPEN 331Computer Organization And Design3
CMPSC 221Object Oriented Programming with Web-Based Applications3
CMPSC 311Introduction to Systems Programming3
CMPSC 360Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science3
CMPSC 461Programming Language Concepts3
CMPSC 465Data Structures and Algorithms3
CMPSC 473Operating Systems Design & Construction3
ENGL 202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 141Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 211General Physics: Mechanics Keystone/General Education Course4
PHYS 212General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism Keystone/General Education Course4
Additional Courses
Select 1 credit of First-Year Seminar1
Select one of the following:3
Elementary Probability
Introduction to Probability Theory
Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes for Engineering
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Communication Networks
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Fundamentals of Computer Vision
Artificial Intelligence
Introduction to Computer and Network Security
Secure Programming
Concurrent Scientific Programming
Numerical Computations
Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
Introduction to Numerical Analysis II
Fundamentals of Computer Graphics
Factorization and Primality Testing
Introduction to Compiler Construction
Applications Programming
Introduction to Neural Networks
Select 3 credits from any CMPEN or CMPSC course numbered 400-4893
CMPSC 431WDatabase Management Systems3
or CMPSC 483W Software Design Methods
STAT/MATH 319Elementary Mathematical Statistics3
or STAT/MATH 415 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better:
CMPSC 121Introduction to Programming Techniques3
or CMPSC 131 Programming and Computation I: Fundamentals
CMPSC 122Intermediate Programming3
or CMPSC 132 Programming and Computation II: Data Structures
CMPEN 270Digital Design: Theory and Practice4
or CMPEN 271
CMPEN 275
Introduction to Digital Systems
and Digital Design Laboratory
ENGL 15Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course3
or ENGL 137H Rhetoric and Civic Life I Keystone/General Education Course
ENGL 138TRhetoric and Civic Life II Keystone/General Education Course3
or CAS 100A Effective Speech Keystone/General Education Course
or CAS 100B Effective Speech Keystone/General Education Course
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 2-3 credits from the following:2-3
General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics Keystone/General Education Course
General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics Keystone/General Education Course
3 credits from the approved list of natural sciences courses
Select 0-4 credits in a foreign language (second-semester proficiency)0-4
Select 10-14 credits from department list. Students may apply up to 3 credits of ROTC as department list credits and 3 credits of ROTC as GHW credits.10-14
Select 6 credits in non-CMPEN or CMPSC courses numbered 400-489 in consultation with adviser6

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Integrated B.S. in Computer Science and M.I.A. in International Affairs

Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Computer Science and M.I.A. in International Affairs can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of our Computer Science degree will be prepared with technical knowledge and professional skills for the practice and future development in their profession along different career paths. We expect them to engage in continuous learning activities, to continue to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders in multidisciplinary and multicultural work environments, and to maintain a strong commitment to ethical practices in their profession.  Due to their experience in our program, within few years of their graduation we expect our graduates to have the following career and professional accomplishments:

  1. Those employed in industry and focused on technical accomplishments will demonstrate professional advancement by their promotion or other recognition of their technical skills.
  2. Those who pursue additional formal education related to their technical skills, either directly or soon after graduation, will have completed or be near completion of a graduate degree or other technical certification.
  3. Those who pursue career paths or formal education unrelated or tangential to their degree program will have applied their broad educational skills, including analytical problem solving, communication and independent learning, towards a new discipline.
  4. Those employed by government or industry and focused on leadership will demonstrate professional advancement through expanded leadership responsibility based on their acquired technical knowledge and experience.
  5. Those employed by government or industry and focused on management will demonstrate professional advancement through expanded management responsibilities based on their acquired management training and experience.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The Computer Science program is designed to enable students to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

CSE Advising
W209 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
cseadvising@engr.psu.edu

Beaver

Richard Lomotey
Assistant Professor, Information Sciences and Technology
100 University Dr.
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3814
rkl5137@psu.edu

Brandywine

Robin Stokes
Director, Advising and Career Services
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1200
ras322@psu.edu

Hazleton

Bhanu Babaiahgari
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Kostos Building, 103
76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3081
bpb5682@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Computer Science, B.S. at University Park Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

If you are starting at a campus other than the one this plan is ending at, please refer to: https://advising.engr.psu.edu/degree-requirements/academic-plans-by-major.aspx

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 121 or 131*‡#3CMPSC 122 or 132*#3
MATH 140 (GQ)*‡#†4MATH 141 (GQ)*‡#†4
ENGL 15 (GWS)3PHYS 211 (GN, PHYSICS 211L & PHYSICS 211R)*#†4
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3First Year Seminar1
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 221*3CMPSC 360*3
MATH 2304CMPEN 270*4
MATH 2202-3CMPSC 311*3
PHYS 212 (GN, PHYSICS 212L & PHYSICS 212R)*†4Natural Science Elective (GN, See College Note below for options that DO NOT count)2-3
CAS 100A or 100B (GWS)‡†3General Education Course3
 16-17 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 465*3CMPSC 4643
CMPEN 331*3CMPSC 473*3
STAT 3183STAT 3193
CMPSC 461*3ENGL 202C (GWS)‡†3
World Language4General Education Course3
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 483W or 431W3CMPSC/CMPEN 400-level23
CMPSC Elective13CMPSC Elective13
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
Department List (General Elective)3General Education Course3
Department List (General Elective)4Department List (General Elective)3
General Education Course (GHW)1.5General Education Course (GHW)1.5
 17.5 16.5
Total Credits 127-129
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.

2

Select 3 credits from any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course that does not duplicate material already taken or required. No CMPSC/CMPEN 494H or CMPSC/CMPEN 496 may be substituted. CMPSC/CMPEN 497 must be petitioned prior to taking the course.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

College Notes:

  • NATURAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE: Choose any GN-designated course EXCEPT the following: ASTRO 1, 7N, 10, 11, 120, or 140; all below CHEM 110 (except 3 credits of CHEM 106); all below PHYS 211; PHYS 250 or 251; all BI SC; and GEOSC 20.
  • CMPSC/CMPEN 4XX: Select any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course offered at University Park.
  • Computer Science Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.
  • Department List Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective. Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program may substitute 3 co-op credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Health and Wellness: Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for the GHW requirement and 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Supporting Course: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply.

Computer Science, B.S. at Beaver Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 121 or 131*‡#3CMPSC 122 or 132*#3
MATH 140*‡#†4MATH 141*‡#†4
ENGL 15 (GWS)‡†3PHYS 211 (GN, PHYSICS 211L & PHYSICS 211R)*#†4
General Education Course3General Education Course3
First-Year Seminar1General Education Course3
 14 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 221*3CMPSC 360*3
MATH 2304CMPEN 270*4
MATH 2203CMPSC 311*3
PHYS 212 (GN, PHYSICS 212L & PHYSICS 212R)*†4Natural Science Elective (GN, See College Note below for options that DO NOT count)3
CAS 100A (GWS)‡†3General Education Course3
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 465*3CMPSC 4643
CMPEN 331*3CMPSC 473*3
STAT 3183STAT 3193
CMPSC 461*3ENGL 202C (GWS)‡†3
World Language4General Education Course3
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 483W or 431W3CMPSC Elective23
CMPSC Elective13CMPSC Elective13
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
Department List (General Elective)3Department List (General Elective)3
Department List (General Elective)4General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course (GHW)1.5General Education Course3
 17.5 16.5
Total Credits 129
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.

2

Select 3 credits from any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course that does not duplicate material already taken or required. No CMPSC/CMPEN 494H or CMPSC/CMPEN 496 may be substituted. CMPSC/CMPEN 497 must be petitioned prior to taking the course.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Program Notes:

  • NATURAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE: Choose any GN-designated course EXCEPT the following: ASTRO 1, 7N, 10, 11, 120, or 140; all below CHEM 110 (except 3 credits of CHEM 106); all below PHYS 211; PHYS 250 or 251; all BI SC; and GEOSC 20.
  • CMPSC/CMPEN 4XX: Select any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course offered at University Park.
  • Computer Science Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.
  • Department List Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective. Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program may substitute 3 co-op credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Health and Wellness: Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for the GHW requirement and 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Supporting Course: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply.

Computer Science, B.S. at Brandywine Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 140*#†4MATH 141*#†4
CMPSC 131*#3CMPSC 132*#3
ENGL 15 or 30H‡†3PHYS 211*#†4
PSU 121CAS 100‡†3
General Education Course (suggested IST 110 or SRA 111)3General Education Course3
General Education Course3 
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 221*3CMPSC 360*23
MATH 23014CMPSC 311*23
PHYS 212*†4MATH 22023
CMPEN 271*¹ & CMPEN 275*¹ or CMPEN 270*4ENGL 202C‡† 3
General Education Course (GHW)1.5Natural Science Elective (GN, See College Note below for options that DO NOT count)3
General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 18 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 465*13CMPSC 46423
CMPEN 331*13CMPSC 473*23
STAT 31813STAT 31923
CMPSC 461*13General Education Course3
World Language4General Education Course3
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 431W¹ or CMPSC 483W² 3CMPSC/CMPEN 400-level3
CMPSC Elective3CMPSC Elective3
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
Department List (General Elective)3General Education Course3
Department List (General Elective)4Department List (General Elective)3
 16 15
Total Credits 129
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

Course is Fall only

2

Course is Spring only

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

College Notes:

  • NATURAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE: Choose any GN-designated course EXCEPT the following: ASTRO 1, 7N, 10, 11, 120, or 140; all below CHEM 110 (except 3 credits of CHEM 106); all below PHYS 211; PHYS 250 or 251; all BI SC; and GEOSC 20.
  • CMPSC/CMPEN 4XX: Select any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course offered at University Park.
  • Computer Science Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.
  • Department List Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective. Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program may substitute 3 co-op credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Health and Wellness: Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for the GHW requirement and 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Supporting Course: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply.

Computer Science, B.S. at Hazleton Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15 or 30H‡†3CAS 100A‡†3
CMPSC 131*#3MATH 141*#†4
MATH 140*#†4PHYS 211*#†4
PSU 81CMPSC 132*#3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course (GN)3 
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPEN 271*1 and CMPEN 275*1 or CMPEN 270*4CMPSC 311*23
CMPSC 221*3CMPSC 360*3
MATH 2203MATH 2304
PHYS 212*†4ENGL 202C‡†3
General Education GHW1.5Natural Science Elective (GN, See College Note below for options that DO NOT count)3
General Education GHW1.5 
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPEN 331*3CMPSC 473*3
CMPSC 465*3CMPSC 46423
STAT 31813STAT 31923
CMPSC 461*13General Education Course3
World Language4General Education Course3
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 431W1 or CMPSC 483W23CMPEN/CMPSC 4XX3
CMPSC Elective3CMPSC Elective3
Supporting Course3Supporting Course3
Department List (General Elective)4Department List (General Elective)3
Department List (General Elective)3General Education Course3
 16 15
Total Credits 129
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

Course is Fall only

2

Course is Spring Only

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Program Notes:

  • NATURAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE: Choose any GN-designated course EXCEPT the following- ASTRO 1, 7N, 10, 11, 120, or 140; all below CHEM 110 (except 3 credits of CHEM 106); all below PHYS 211; PHYS 250 or 251; all BI SC; and GEOSC 20.
  • CMPSC/CMPEN 400-Level: Select any 400-489 CMPSC or CMPEN course.
  • Computer Science Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Computer Science Electives are NOT offered every semester or even every year. Contact the department for information on which classes are scheduled to be offered during a given semester.
  • Department List Elective: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply. Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective. Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program may substitute 3 co-op credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Health and Wellness: Students who complete the ROTC Program may substitute 3 ROTC credits for the GHW requirement and 3 ROTC credits for a Department List Elective.
  • Supporting Course: Select from department list. Restrictions may apply.

Career Paths

Computer science has had major impacts in such diverse areas as commerce, communication, engineering, entertainment, finance, health sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences. Computer scientists do far more than just construct software. They apply their skills and knowledge to solve challenging problems using sound computational methods. They work collaboratively in teams to build complex systems with many integrated parts. They research, study, and develop new technologies, new applications of computing, and new ways to compute.

Careers

Computer science graduates typically find positions as software engineers and software developers in major companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, and Intel. Graduates are also highly recruited by major companies in the areas of finance, health care, aerospace, and defense. Most graduates will find themselves a part of a team of software developers and after a few years possibly leading a software team. With the rapid changes and advances in the field of computing, graduates must continually keep up with the latest technology as their careers adapt and evolve to meet the new opportunities and challenges of computing.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Graduates of this program can pursue graduate studies in computer science and related disciplines, concentrating in specialized areas such as computer security, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data sciences, computer networks, computer vision, bioinformatics, and high-performance computing. A master’s degree allows one to specialize beyond the broad foundations offered by a bachelor’s degree. A doctoral degree prepares one for a career in research and academia.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at University Park, Penn State Beaver, Penn State Brandywine, and Penn State Hazleton is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
W209 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9505
trk149@psu.edu
bam136@psu.edu

https://www.eecs.psu.edu

Beaver

100 University Dr.
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3814
rkl5137@psu.edu

https://beaver.psu.edu/academics/majors/compsci

Brandywine

25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1200
ras322@psu.edu

https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/computer-science

Hazleton

Kostos Building, 103
76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202
570-450-3081
bpb5682@psu.edu

https://hazleton.psu.edu/computer-science