Chairperson: Gina Sprint
The B.A. in Computer Science and Computational Thinking (BACSCT) serves those students with an interest in computing who would also like to study broadly in the humanities, the social sciences, or the natural sciences. For example, students interested in language and literature could explore questions that arise in computational linguistics or in computational approaches to the study of literature. Students interested in the social sciences could investigate sociological and economic questions through the increasing availability of large data repositories. Students interested in the life sciences could investigate the growing field of bioinformatics. The potential to combine computing with other disciplines makes the BACSCT an attractive option for students with diverse interests. In addition, the BACSCT degree provides background sufficient for entry level employment in many parts of the computer industry, as well as a base for further training in computer science.
The process of majoring in BACSCT begins by selecting a Discipline for Computational Thinking (DCT), chosen from Art, Biology, Communications Studies, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, or Theatre Arts. Students choose at least twelve credits from their DCT. The foundation in computing is built upon twenty-five credits in mathematics and computer science. In consultation with their advisors, students also choose an additional eighteen credits in computer science courses. These could include courses relevant to the DCT. For instance, the Department of Computer Science offers courses in human language processing and big data analytics which could complement courses in English or Sociology.
BACSCT students can also pursue optional concentrations in Data Science, Software Application Development, or Software Security.
- Cautionary Notes:
Students may take no more than fifteen 200-level CPSC credits over the entire degree. Of these fifteen, no more than nine may be taken to satisfy the eighteen elective credits (See “II. Computer Science Electives,” below. Computer science courses are usually, but not always, three credits. - Many upper division computer science courses require CPSC 260 as a prerequisite (see Courses offered by the Department of Computer Science for details).
B.A. in Computer Science and Computational Thinking: 55-59 credits
Lower Division | ||
CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits | |
CPSC 122 Computer Science II | 3 credits | |
CPSC 223 Algorithm/Abstract Data Structures | 3 credits | |
CPSC 224 Software Development | 3 credits | |
One of the following two courses: | 3-4 credits | |
MATH 148 Survey of Calculus
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MATH 157 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
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MATH 231 Discrete Structures | 3 credits | |
Upper Division | ||
25 credits |
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Computer Science Electives* | |
18 credits |
* Any CPSC 200, 300, or 400-level course. |
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CPSC 491 Software Engineering | |
2 credits |
CPSC 491L Senior Design Project Lab I |
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1 credit |
CPSC 492L Senior Design Project Lab II | |
3 credits |
CPSC 499 Computers and Society | |
1 credit |
Required concentration requirements (DCT specific courses) |
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12-15 credits |
Art | 12 credits | |
Biology | 14-15 credits | |
Communication Studies | 12 credits | |
Economics | 12 credits | |
English | 12 credits | |
Environmental Studies | 15 credits | |
Philosophy | 12 credits | |
Sociology | 12 credits | |
Theatre Arts | 12 credits | |
Additional elective concentration options in Computer Science: |
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12-18 credits |
Computer Science: Data Science | 18 credits | |
Computer Science: Software Application Development | 15 credits | |
Computer Science: Software Security | 12 credits |
*No more than five computer science courses in the entire degree are to be at the 200 level. Many upper division computer science courses require CPSC 260 as a prerequisite (see the list of course in the University Catalog for details).
*ECON 351, ECON 355, ECON 451 pre-requisites: ECON 201 & ECON 202, (BUSN 230, or MATH 121, or MATH 321)
English Concentration: |
12 credits |
Any combination of four 300- or 400-level English courses | |
Philosophy Concentration: |
12 credits |
Four 400-level Philosophy courses chosen by the DCT Committee. | |
Sociology Concentration: |
12 credits |
Any four Sociology courses at the 100-, 200, and 300-levels. | |
Theatre Arts Concentration: |
13-14 credits |
THEA 100 Introduction to Theatre Arts | 3 credits |
One of the following two courses: | 3-4 credits |
THEA 132 Stagecraft
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THEA 332 Scenic Design
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THEA 235 Design Process | 3 credits |
THEA 239 Lighting Design | 3 credits |
THEA 260 Technical Lab | 1 credit |
In addition to their required DCT concentration, BSCT students may | |
choose from the following optional concentrations. |
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Computer Science: Software Security Optional Concentration: |
12 credits |
CPSC 260 Computer Organization | 3 credits |
CPSC 348 Computer Security | 3 credits |
CPSC 353 Cryptography | 3 credits |
One of the following four courses |
3 credits |
CPSC 341 Internet of Things
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CPSC 346 Operating Systems
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CPSC 447 Computer Networks
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EENG 410 Information Theory and Coding
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Computer Science: Data Science Optional Concentration: |
18 credits |
CPSC 222 Intro to Data Science | 3 credits |
CPSC 322 Data Science Algorithms | 3 credits |
One of the following 3 courses: |
3 credits |
MATH 121 Introductory Statistics
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MATH 221 Applied Statistics
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MATH 321 Statistics for Experimentalist
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CPSC 321 Database Management Systems | 3 credits |
Two of the following four courses |
6 credits |
CPSC 323 Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems
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CPSC 324 Big Data Analytics
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CPSC 325 Data Science Project Lab
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CPSC 475 Speech & NLP
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Computer Science: Software Application Development Optional Concentration |
12 credits |
CPSC 331 UI/UX Design | 3 credits |
CPSC 332 Web Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 333 Mobile App Development | 3 credits |
CPSC 334 Linux & DevOps | 3 credits |
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.