B.S. in Computer Science
Computer science is not the science of the computer–it is the science of problem-solving using a computer. If you are a computer science major, you will see this in many forms–the study of algorithms, of machine hardware, of programming languages, operating systems, database design, and more. The career opportunities are equally varied–software engineer, database manager, network administrator, project manager, and many others. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, predicts that for 2006–2016, three of the six occupations that will be among the fastest growing and register the largest numerical growth will be computing-related occupations.
Because computers are so pervasive, a computer science degree gives you the opportunity to make an impact in the world of science, business, healthcare, education, the law, art, entertainment, or almost anything else that interests you. Even if you are not a computer science major, taking computer science courses will improve your logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mission
The mission of the Computer Science Department is to:
- Educate computer science majors in a rigorous B.S. degree program so that graduates are prepared to enter high-quality technical professional positions or go on to graduate programs
- Provide computer education that serves the needs of various student components of the University
Goals for Student Learning in the Major
The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is designed to prepare students for success as computer science professionals. Students graduating from this program should be able to apply their knowledge to a specific design problem, including detailing the specifications, analyzing the problem, and providing a design and implementation that functions as desired, while meeting criteria for performance, reliability, maintainability, and cost. A broad background in the humanities and social sciences, together with a course emphasizing professional ethics, provides students a basis for understanding the societal implications of work performed in their chosen profession.
Students finishing this program should also be prepared for graduate studies in computer science.
Special Features of the Computer Science Program
Computer Science at UH Hilo offers you small class sizes, very available faculty who take a great interest in student success, opportunities for team experiences, and a strong sense of community among the upper-division students. Students in this program generally score above the national average on the Major Field Achievement Test in Computer Science, and graduates are employed by major companies in Hawaiʻi and on the mainland.
The year-long software engineering sequence, CS 460-461 Software Engineering I (3), Software Engineering II (3), provides a project-based capstone experience that draws on the knowledge and skills made available from previous courses and emphasizes the teamwork needed to solve real-world problems.
The Department also offers a number of courses designed for non-computer-science majors: CS 100 Prin Of Computer Sci (3), CS 101 Digital Tools for Info World (3), CS 102 MS Office Tools for Math & Sci (3)/MATH 111 MS Office Tools for Math & Sci (3), CS 130 Beg Graphics, Game Programg (3), CS 135 Animation Programming (3), CS 137 Digital Media with Flash (3), CS 200-201 Web Technology I (3), Web Technology II (3), and CS 300 Web Site Management (3). These courses are heavily laboratory-oriented, giving students considerable hands-on experience. In order to assist students in mastering the technologies they encounter in these courses, the Department has developed a number of learning aids, including specialized laboratory manuals, specialized software, audio-visual tutorial files, and carefully structured laboratory exercises.
The UH Hilo Computer Science Department occupies three labs, two classrooms, a network administrative office, and several nearby faculty offices. All laboratory and office workstations are part of a local area network and also have high-speed Internet connections. All workstations are set up with connections to both the department’s Windows servers and Linux servers, as instructional and research needs require.
B.S. in Computer Science Requirements
Group 1. General Education Basic, Area, and Integrative Requirements
Students may choose to graduate under the General Education Basic, Area, and Integrative requirements and graduation requirements in force at the time they entered the UH System, when they entered UH Hilo, or when they graduate, provided there is no break in enrollment.
Students should meet with their academic advisor to ensure that they enroll in courses that will enable them to meet these requirements as well as requirements for the major and for graduation. Some courses may meet both General Education requirements and major requirements.
The new GE basic, core, and integrative requirements and lists of certified courses are posted on the General Education website.
Group 2. Major Requirements (76 credits)
1.Related Requirements for the Major (21):
- MATH 205 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 206 Calculus II (4)
- MATH 311 Intro Linear Algebra (3)
- PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1)
- PHYS 171-171L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1)
2.Computer Science Required Core Courses (43):
- CS 141 Discrete Math for Comp Science I (3)
- CS 150 Intro To Computer Science I (3)
- CS 151 Intro to Computer Science II (3)
- CS 241 Discrete Math for Comp Science II (3)
- CS 266 Computer Org & Assembly Lang (3)
- CS 321 Data Structures (3)
- CS 407 Introduction To Numerical Analysis I (3)
- CS 410 Elements Computer Architecture (3)
- CS 420 Database Internals (3)
- CS 430 Operating Systems (3)
- CS 450 Org Of Programming Lang (3)
- CS 460 Software Engineering I (3)
- CS 461 Software Engineering II (3)
- CS 470 Theory Of Computing (3)
- CS 495 CS Professional Seminar (1)
3. Four Computer Science Required Elective Courses (12)
- One course from the following (3):
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- CS 340 Graphical User Interfaces (3)
- CS 350 Systems Programming (3)
- Two courses from the following (6):
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- CS 421 Database Systems Design (3)
- CS 431 Networks & Data Commun (3)
- CS 440 Artificial Intelligence (3)
- CS 451 Compiler Theory (3)
- One other 400-level CS course not previously taken (3)
Total Semester Hours Required for the B.S. in Computer Science
120 credits required.
Notes
A minimum of a 2.0 GPA is required.
A grade of “C” or better in each CS course required for the degree and in MATH 311 Intro Linear Algebra (3).
45 credits in courses at the 300- or 400-level are required.
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, students must fulfill the requirements for the major and meet all of the University’s other baccalaureate degree requirements.
Students should always check course prerequisites and the frequency with which courses are offered.
To ensure progress toward degree completion, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor each semester before registering and to use the helpful planning aids provided by the Department.
A total of three writing intensive courses are required for the major. Students are encouraged to take a writing intensive course from the English department.