Major in Computer Science for the Bachelor of Science Degree
To declare a major in Computer Science, a student must fill out the “Declaration of Major Form” available in the Department Office. A student must complete the major requirements in effect when the declaration of major is accepted by the Department. Students should obtain a Computer Science Major handbook in order to be aware of any changes in requirements.
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major Requirements
Students in this major can choose between a general computer science track or one of three different concentrations: Computer Networks and Security; Information Technology; and Data Science).
- For all concentrations, students are required to complete forty-eight hours of computer science course work (including at least 36 hours of 300-level courses).
- For the general Computer Science track, students have 14-15 hours of additional math requirements, which include:
-
- MATH-187 Calculus I (4 credits)
- MATH-202 Calculus II (4 credits)
- MATH-253 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
- And one of the following:
- MATH-305 Probability and Statistics (4 credits)
- MNGT-368 Business Statistics (3 credits)
- CS-322 Applied Research And Statistical Data Analysis (3 credits)
- Students should also be aware of the University requirements for the Bachelor’s degree.
- Transfer students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of 300-level Computer Science courses at Northeastern and meet all major requirements.
- Students who intend to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science should plan on completing Calculus II and are advised to take a course in Linear Algebra.
The following core courses are required for all students in the computer science major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses: | ||
| CS-200 | Programming Fundamentals | 4 |
| CS-201 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS-207 | Object-Oriented Programming And Data Structures | 5 |
| CS-301 | Computer Organization | 3 |
| CS-308 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS-319 | Writing Intensive Program: Fundamentals Of Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS-324 | Introduction To The Design Of Algorithms | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
NO SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ALLOWED FOR CORE COURSES.
Option 1: Major in Computer Science, general track:
This track is designed primarily for students intending to pursue an advanced degree in Computer Science. However, it is appropriate for any student whose goal is to understand the fundamentals of Computer Science.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CS-335 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS-325 | Theory Of Computation | 3 |
| CS-348 | Computer Ethics And Public Policy | 3 |
| CS-355 | Cryptography | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Programming Languages | ||
| Modern Database Management | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Open Source Systems | ||
| Fundamentals Of Computer Graphics | ||
| Parallel Computing And Distributed Systems | ||
| Introduction To Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Introduction To Natural Language Processing | ||
| One CS 300-level electives, approved by the CS Department | 3 | |
| CS Core Courses | 24 | |
| Required Math courses | 14 or 15 | |
| Total Hours | 59-60 | |
Option 2: Major in computer science with Computer Networks and Security Concentration:
This concentration is designed to prepare students for employment in a computer security related field.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CS-331 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS-355 | Cryptography | 3 |
| CS-360 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Modern Database Management | ||
| Cyberlaw | ||
| Open Source Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Parallel Computing And Distributed Systems | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Secure Programming And Testing | ||
| Two CS 300-level electives, approved by the CS Department | 6 | |
| CS Core Courses | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Option 3: Major in Computer Science with Information Technology Concentration:
This concentration is designed to prepare students for employment involving Web development and computer network design and maintenance.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CS-315 | Modern Database Management | 3 |
| CS-331 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS-339 | Fundamentals Of Information Technology Project Management | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Client Side Web Development | ||
| Event-Driven Programming | ||
| Server Side Web Development | ||
| Open Source Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Introduction To Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Mobile Application Development | ||
| Cybersecurity | ||
| Two CS 300-level electives, approved by the CS Department | 6 | |
| CS Core Courses | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
OPTION 4: MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH Data Science Concentration:
This concentration is designed to prepare students for employment involving data analysis, research and also prepares students to conduct academic research
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CS-315 | Modern Database Management | 3 |
| CS-322 | Applied Research And Statistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| CS-351 | Data Wrangling For Data Analysis | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Computational Methods In Biology | ||
| Decision Theory | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Introduction To Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Introduction To Natural Language Processing | ||
| Introduction To The Internet Of Things | ||
| GIS Across Disciplines | ||
| Applied And Computational Statistics | ||
| Probability And Statistics | ||
| Introduction To Stochastic Processes | ||
| Statistical Computer And Data Analysis Packages | ||
| Business And Economics Statistics I | ||
| Introduction To Econometrics And Forecasting | ||
| Macroeconomic Data Analysis | ||
| Applied Economic Statistics Using R | ||
| Data Visualization And Management | ||
| Model-Based Decision Making | ||
| Supply Chain Analytics | ||
| Business Statistics | ||
| Production/Operations Management | ||
| Business Analytics | ||
| Marketing Research | ||
| Two CS 300-level electives, approved by the CS Department | 6 | |
| CS Core Courses | 24 | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major, from freshman through senior year. All undergraduate students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| ENGL-101 | Writing I | 3 |
| MATH-173 | College Algebra | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 16 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| CS-200 | Programming Fundamentals | 4 |
| CS-201 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| General Elective course | 3 | |
| General Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| CS-207 | Object-Oriented Programming And Data Structures | 5 |
| CS-301 | Computer Organization | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 17 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| CS-308 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS-319 | Writing Intensive Program: Fundamentals Of Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS Course from concentration | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| General Education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| CS-324 | Introduction To The Design Of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS course from concentration | 3 | |
| CS course from concentration | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Course from concentration | 3 | |
| Course from concentration | 3 | |
| Computer Science elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| CS course from concentration | 3 | |
| Computer Science elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| Computer Science elective | 3 | |
| Computer Science elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 121 | |