Chairperson: Gina Sprint
The B.S. in Computer Science (BSCS) is built on a broad and rigorous foundation of science, mathematics, software engineering, and advanced computer science topics. All students participate in a large software engineering project during their senior years. Each project is completed under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a project sponsor. Advisors are frequently practicing software developers. Project sponsors are often from the computer industry. BS students can also pursue optional concentrations in Data Science, Software Application Development, or Software Security.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs Program Criteria.
B.S. in Computer Science: 128 credits (89 credits in computer science, mathematics, and science)
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Lower Division
Computer Science topics of special interest to students majoring in other disciplines. Sample topics include principles of programming, web programming, and media computing. May not be counted towards a major in Computer Science. On sufficient demand.
Techniques of problem-solving and algorithmic development. An introduction to programming. Emphasis is on how to design, code, debug, and document programs using good programming style. Fall and Spring.
A continuation of CPSC 121. An examination of dynamic memory management and recursion; an introduction to basic data structures and algorithmic analysis. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 121 Minimum Grade: D
Topic to be decided by faculty.
This course introduces students to the modeling process and computer simulations. It considers two major approaches: system dynamics models and agent-based models. A variety of software tools will be explored. Applications will be chosen from ecology, medicine, chemistry, biology, and others. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 121 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
ITEC 212 - OK if taken between Fall 2011 and Fall 2023
Topic to be determined by instructor.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
This course provides an introduction to the underlying ideas, concepts, and techniques used in data science. Students gain skills in statistical and computational thinking, and their practical application to real-world, data-driven problem solving and decision making. The course teaches important concepts and skills in both statistical reasoning and computer programming for the purpose of analyzing real-world data sets. Examples are drawn from diverse areas such as economics, social science, health and wellness, climate science, and education. Students gain experience using the Python programming language, Python’s standard libraries for data science applications and computational notebooks (e.g., using Jupyter). The course also raises important social questions concerning privacy, social inequality, and professional ethics related to data science and its applications. Fall & Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 121 Minimum Grade: D
or ENSC 201 Minimum Grade: D
Algorithm analysis using Big-O notation, sorting, heaps, balanced binary search trees, and hash tables. Fall and Spring.
MATH 231 and CPSC 223 can be taken concurrently.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
and (MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D)
and MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D
This course covers topics in object-oriented programming, user-interface design and development, and software construction including program design, development tools, and basic concepts in software engineering. Students work on hands-on development assignments and projects throughout the semester. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
This course covers basic topics in the design of modern computer systems. Topics include digital logic, computer system components, machine-level code, memory organization and management, computer arithmetic, assembly-language programming, and basic connections between high-level and low-level languages (C and assembly). This course also serves as a foundation for courses on networking. security, operating systems, and computer architecture, where a deeper understanding of systems-level issues is required. Fall and Spring.
**** Students who have taken and received credit for CPEN 231 may not also receive credit for CPSC 260. *****
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Individual exploration of a topic not normally covered in the curriculum.
Upper Division
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand. Prerequisite: CPSC 223
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Introduction to relational database concepts and techniques. Topics include the relational model, database design, SQL, transactions, file and index organization, and using databases within software applications, Fall. Prerequisite: CPSC 122 or CPSC 222
This course provides a detailed overview of the processes and techniques used in creating data science applications. Emphasis is placed on popular algorithms for the analysis, classification, and mining of relational data. Students learn to implement data science algorithms and techniques over real-world data sets through assignments and projects in Python. Topics include data preparation and cleaning, summary statistics, basic data visualization techniques, feature selection, discretization, k nearest neighbors, naive bayes, decision trees, ensemble methods, apriori rule mining, and k-means clustering. Fall. Prerequisite: CPSC 122 or CPSC 222
This course provides a detailed overview of topics in machine learning with an emphasis on algorithms and techniques for unstructured and complex data sets. Students implement and apply machine learning algorithms to examples drawn from time series, image, audio, textual, and numerical data. Topics include regression analysis, support vector machines, genetic algorithms, neural networks and heuristic search. Concepts and issues in building intelligent systems and the role of machine learning are also discussed. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 322 Minimum Grade: D
or CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
This course provides an overview of how to design a data science system and deploy the system into a production environment. Students complete a semester-long project that involves researching a data science problem, proposing a solution to the problem, implementing the solution, and deploying the solution as a hosted web application. Emphasis is placed on working with web-based application programming interfaces, gathering and processing data, researching and implementing common machine algorithms for data mining and classification, and securely deploying models in the cloud. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 322 Minimum Grade: D
or CPSC 323 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CPSC 483 - OK if taken since Fall 2024
Examination of the structures and concepts of procedural, functional, and logic-based programming languages. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Exploration of theories and principles related to human-computer interaction, user experience design, and user interface design. Development of techniques and practices for designing and evaluating software usability. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
Techniques of web-based software application development. Introduces programming languages and frameworks for web programming. Emphasis on web programming basics using well-established approaches including the basics of full-stack web development. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
This course provides an introduction to mobile application development. The primary aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough introduction to designing and building native and/or cross-platform apps for mobile devices. The platform, frameworks/libraries, and development tools used in this course vary and are dependent on the current demand in industry. Topics include object-oriented programming, design patterns, user interface design and implementation, data storage, working with application programming interfaces, threading, camera and photos, and location and maps. Additional topics are covered based on trending mobile app features. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 122 Minimum Grade: D
This course covers topics of using and managing Linux OSes from the command line, virtual machines, containers, DevOps philosophy, continuous integration, continuous deployment, and Git. Students work on hands-on development assignments and projects throughout the semester. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 224 Minimum Grade: D
The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, buildings (smart building), furniture (smart home), vehicles (smart transportation), and many others. In this class, students will learn key technologies in IoT and obtain hands-on experience by building IoT devices. A substantial part of the material will cover IoT applications, IoT architecture, embedded systems, network protocols, sensor networks, and IoT security. Students will also work on research projects related to IoT applications, design, and security. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Study of operating systems internals. Topics include concurrent programming, memory management, file system management, scheduling algorithms, and security. Fall.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 122 and (CPSC 260 or (CPEN 231 and CPEN 231L))
Study of security and information assurance in stand-alone and distributed computing. Topics include ethics, privacy, access control methods and intrusion detection. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 260 Minimum Grade: D
or (CPEN 231 Minimum Grade: D
and CPEN 231L Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
CPSC 448 - Taken before Spring 2020
Study of automata, languages, and computability theory. Regular grammars, finite state automata, context-free grammars, pushdown automata, Turing machines, decidable and undecidable problems, and problem reduction. Fall, odd years. Prerequisite(s): CPSC 122 and (MATH 231 or MATH 301)
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and (MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D
or MATH 301 Minimum Grade: D)
Topics include classical cryptosystems, block ciphers, public key cryptosystems, key exchange protocols, and hash functions. Fall.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 223 and (MATH 231 or MATH 301)
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and (MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D
or MATH 301 Minimum Grade: D)
Topic to be decided by faculty.
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
Topics that reflect the current interests and expertise of the faculty. On sufficient demand.
Introduction to the use of graphics primitives within a higher level language to produce two and three-dimensional images; underlying mathematical operations used to implement standard graphics packages; practical experience with current graphics systems. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D
Understanding the design techniques, machine structures, technology factors, and evaluation methods that will determine the form of computers in 21st century. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 260 Minimum Grade: D
or CPEN 231 Minimum Grade: D
Parallel Programming platforms; principles of parallel algorithm design; basic communication operations; programming using the message-passing paradigm (MPI); programming on shared address space platforms (POSIX Thread and OpenMP); cloud computing; big data analysis; and other advanced topics. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 260 Minimum Grade: D
or (CPEN 231 Minimum Grade: D
and CPEN 231L Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
CPEN 435 - Successful completion
Investigation of the role of computers in the provision of medical services; machine learning algorithms for regression, classification, clustering, and anomaly detection; medical decision-making support; genomic medicine and its techniques. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 260 Minimum Grade: D
or (CPEN 231 Minimum Grade: D
and CPEN 231L Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
CPEN 436 - Successful completion
Digital forensics covers the three functions of digital forensics performed by organizations: employee abuse investigations, incident response, and electronic discovery. Students will learn to conduct all three. In particular students will learn to gather, analyze and present digital evidence to the sponsoring organization as well as to legal audiences. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite(s):CPSC 223 and (CPSC 260 or (CPEN 231 and CPEN 231L))
Study of main components of computer communications and networks; communication protocols; routing algorithms; machine addressing and network services. Spring - even years.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 223 and (CPSC 260 or (CPEN 231 and CPEN 231L))
Computer Network and System Security covers cybersecurity in computer operating systems, network infrastructure, and devices like routers and switches, server management for Windows and Linux operating systems, along with managing sensitive data. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 223 and (CPSC 260 or (CPEN 231 and CPEN 231L))
Advanced study of computer algorithms not covered in CPSC 223 along with principles and techniques of computational complexity. Topics could include dynamic programming, B-trees, minimum spanning trees, Floyd and Warshall algorithms, various string matching algorithms, computational geometry, exponential growth of round-off errors, NP-completeness and reducibility. Fall - even years.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 231 Minimum Grade: D
Introduction to the study of discrete nonlinear dynamical systems and their chaotic behavior. The course will focus on investigation s through computer experiments- both numerical and graphical- and the corresponding mathematical analysis of the observed behavior. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to designing graphics programs. In the humanistic tradition of Gonzaga, students will also learn the historical development of the modern science of chaotic dynamical systems. Spring - even years.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 122 and (MATH 231 or MATH 301)
Computational approaches to language processing: text normalization, N-grams, sentiment classification, part-of-speech tagging, parsing, semantic analysis, and applied phonetics. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
or CPSC 322 Minimum Grade: D
In this course, students will learn a variety of techniques and tools for effectively communicating data analysis questions, results, and insights to a range of audiences. The course will cover techniques related to data storytelling, data visualization, interactive dashboarding, digital portfolio design and development, technical report writing, and technical presentation skills for data science. Students will also learn to effectively use modern tools related to data storytelling and visualization. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite: CPSC 222
This course covers tools and techniques used in applying statistical and machine learning approaches to real-world data sets. Through hands-on assignments and projects, students learn relevant architectures, programming models, and tools related to data modeling and storage, extract-transform-load (ETL) processes, data warehousing, and data pipeline creation and management. The course also explores scalable, distributed, and cloud-based approaches used in data-intensive applications for accessing, filtering, clustering, and classifying data. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
(CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
or CPSC 322 Minimum Grade: D)
and CPSC 321 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CPSC 324 - Taken before Fall 2024
This course provides an overview of how to design a data science system and deploy the system into a production environment. Students complete a semester-long project that involves researching a data science problem, proposing a solution to the problem, implementing the solution, and deploying the solution as a hosted web application. Emphasis is placed on working with web-based application programming interfaces, gathering and processing data, researching and implementing common machine algorithms for data mining and classification, and securely deploying models in the cloud. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 322 Minimum Grade: D
or CPSC 323 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CPSC 325 - Taken before Fall 2024
Individual exploration of a topic not normally covered in the curriculum. Arrangement with an instructor.
A survey of approaches used in software engineering focusing on software development processes, requirements engineering, estimation, scheduling, risk analysis, testing, version control, and project management. Students apply the techniques and practices learned in their senior design projects, including the development of a detailed project plan and a functional software prototype. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 224 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CPSC 491L
CPSC 499
First semester of a two semester senior design project in which students work in teams to develop a large software product. Teams meet weekly with their faculty project advisors. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 224 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CPSC 491
CPSC 499
Second semester of a two semester senior design project in which students work in teams to develop a large software product. Teams meet weekly with their faculty project advisors. Spring.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 491 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 491L Minimum Grade: D
Secure Software Engineering covers the principles and practices of secure programming: writing programs in a safe fashion, avoiding vulnerabilities which can be exploited by attackers, and using library security features like authentication and encryption. On sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 224 Minimum Grade: D
First of a two semester senior thesis project. Requires arrangement with a faculty supervisor.
Second of a two semester senior thesis project. Requires arrangement with a faculty supervisor.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 495 Minimum Grade: S
Computer Industry Internship.
This course discusses ethical, societal, security and legal issues in computing, including their relationship to professional development. Topics are examined within the context of students' senior design projects. Fall.
Prerequisite:
CPSC 223 Minimum Grade: D
and CPSC 224 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
CPSC 491
CPSC 491L
In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.
The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.
Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?
- The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).
- Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
- Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
- Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
- Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.
Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?
- Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
- Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .
Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?
- Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?”
- Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).
The Broadening Courses
- Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
- Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.
- Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum
All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.