Department of Computer Science and Engineering

[1] Programs of Study and Purposes

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, the Bachelor of Science in Data Science, the Master of Science in Computer Science, and a minor in Computer Science. The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is offered in collaboration with the Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics and the Department of Political Science.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science emphasizes problem solving in the context of algorithm development and software implementation, and prepares students for effectively using modern computer systems in various applications. This BS program requires a minimum of 54 credit hours in computer science, about 24 credit hours in mathematics and the sciences, and the university general education program. The departmental curriculum provides required computer science courses such as programming languages, data structures, computer architecture, algorithms, database systems, operating systems, and software engineering; as well as elective courses in artificial intelligence, distributed computing, graphics, human-computer interaction, multimedia, scientific computing, web technologies, and other current topics in computer science.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering emphasizes the ability to apply engineering principles to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and prepares students for engineering software for various application domains. This program requires a minimum of 32 credit hours in computer science, 25 credit hours in software engineering, 30 credit hours in mathematics and the sciences, and the university general education program. The departmental curriculum provides required software engineering courses such as introduction to software engineering, requirements engineering, software design and construction, object-oriented software development with Java, software testing, software security, cloud computing, and software engineering; as well as required computer science courses in data structures, networking, algorithms, database systems, programming languages, operating systems, information security, and ethical implications of technology.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science emphasizes problem solving in the context of data science and analytics, and prepares students for effectively analyzing massive amounts of structured/unstructured data in various application domains. This BS program requires a minimum of 42 credit hours in computer science, about 28 credit hours in mathematics and the sciences, and the university general education program. The departmental curriculum provides required data science courses such as introduction to data science, data structures, algorithms, database systems, object-oriented software development, artificial intelligence, information security, and data mining; as well as concentration courses in computer science, statistics, or business.

The purpose of the BS programs in computer science and software engineering are twofold: (1) to prepare the student for a position involving the design, development and implementation of computer software/hardware, and (2) to prepare the student for entry into a program of graduate study in computer science/software engineering and related fields. The educational objectives for students completing these BS degree programs are that they

The department also offers a minor in Computer Science. The computer science minor curriculum provides necessary background for students interested in using computational methods to solve a broad range of application problems in sciences and engineering, such as bioinformatics, computational chemistry, computational engineering, computational mathematics, and others.

[2] Honors in Computer Science/Cybersecurity and the Combined BS+MS Program in Computer Science/Cybersecurity

Students who major in Computer Science or Cybersecurity and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

The department offers a combined and accelerated option for students to complete both the BS in Computer Science or Cybersecurity and the MS in Computer Science degrees. This option allows qualified undergraduate seniors in the BS program in Computer Science or Cybersecurity to take first-year graduate-level courses in the MS program. A maximum of nine such credit hours may be counted toward both the BS and MS degrees. These students will be able to complete all the requirements for the BS and MS programs in five years. Students interested in this five-year BS+MS combined option should contact their academic advisor or the department chair for details. See also the Graduate Bulletin description of these options.

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees: Bachelor of Science

[3.1] Major in Computer Science

[3.1.1] Computer Science Student Outcomes

All undergraduate students majoring in Computer Science will meet the following student general outcomes, specified by ABET CAC, upon their graduation:

1. Analyze a problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computer-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.

Specifically, graduates should have an ability to

6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

[3.1.2] Computer Science Program Requirements

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The Bachelor of Science, with a major in computer science, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 39 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) major requirements outlined below. This program does not require a minor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Computer Science enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

Required Computer Science Courses (42 hours)

Elective Computer Science Courses (12 hours required)

* No more than three hours of electives at the 2000 level may be counted toward the Computer Science major (an additional three hours may be counted with the consent of the chair).

Required Mathematics Courses (at least 16 hours)

Required Science Courses (8 hours)

[3.1.3] Major in Computer Science with a Data Science Concentration

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Required Computer Science Courses (48 hours)

Data Science Elective Courses (at least 12 hours required)

Required Mathematics Courses (16 hours)

Required Science Courses (8 hours)

[3.2] Minor in Computer Science

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[3.2.1] Requirements for the Computer Science Minor (17 hours)

Required CSCI courses

[3.3] Major in Software Engineering (formerly Computer Engineering)

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The BS in Software Engineering is replacing the BS in Computer Engineering. Students who declared a major in Computer Engineering in the Fall term of 2024 will be converted to the Software Engineering major. For the requirements of the Computer Engineering program, see https://uca.edu/ubulletin2023/colleges-departments/cn/computer-science/#sec0303.

[3.3.1] Software Engineering Student Outcomes

All undergraduate students majoring in Software Engineering will meet the following student general outcomes, specified by ABET EAC, upon their graduation:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

[3.3.2] Software Engineering Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science, with a major in software engineering, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 39 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) major requirements outlined below. This program does not require a minor.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Software Engineering enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390. Students with an ACT Math subscore between 22 and 26 should enroll in MATH 1486 Calculus Preparation. Students with an ACT Math subscore of 27 or greater should enroll in MATH 1496 Calculus I.

Required Computer Science Courses (32 hours)

Required Software Engineering Courses (25 hours)

Required Mathematics Courses (13 hours)

Required Science Courses (8 hours)

Elective Mathematics / Science Courses (at least 9 hours)

Lower-Division UCA Core Electives (27 hours)

General Electives (6 hours)

[3.4] Major in Data Science

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[3.4.1] Data Science Student Outcomes

All undergraduate students majoring in Data Science will meet the following student general outcomes, specified by ABET CAC, upon their graduation:

1. Analyze a problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computer-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.

Specifically, graduates should have an ability to

6. Apply theory, techniques, and tools throughout the data analysis lifecycle and employ the resulting knowledge to satisfy stakeholders’ needs.

[3.4.2] Data Science Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science, with a major in data science, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 39 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; and (3) major requirements outlined below. This program does not require a minor.

Required Computing Core (42 credit hours)

Required Mathematics/Statistics Core (20 credit hours)

[3.4.3] Data Science Concentration (12-18 credit hours)

Students majoring in Data Science will be required to complete one of the following concentrations.

[3.4.3.1] Computer Science (12 credit hours)

[3.4.3.2] Statistics (18 credit hours)

[3.4.3.3] Business (12 credit hours)

[3.4.4] General Electives (5-11 credit hours)

This program requires 5–11 credit hours of general elective coursework depending on the concentration chosen.

[3.5] Minor in Data Science

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[3.5.1] Option 1 (23 hours)

[3.5.2] Option 2 (15 hours)

[4] Bachelor of Science Education in Science and Technology, Computer Science Track

The BSE in Science and Technology is awaiting approval by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education and is not yet accepting students.

Computer Science course requirements (20 hours)

Related Mathematics courses (6 hours)

Related Education course (32 hours)

Completion of the computer science and related courses will only partially satisfy the upper-division (UD) UCA Core. Students are encouraged to take the opportunity to explore other areas more deeply by completing courses designed as “C” in areas outside of the sciences.

Required Computer Science Hours (20):
Related Hours (38):

Total: 58

[5] Master’s Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Courses in Computer Science (CSCI)

Follow this link for CSCI course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for CISA course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for MATH course descriptions: course link.