Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The department offers courses covering a wide range of topics in Computer Science, including programming and programming languages, data structures and algorithms, assembly language, computer architecture, networking, operating systems, compilers, software engineering, file structures, database systems, graphics, artificial intelligence, and theory of computation. The department seeks to prepare students both for careers in the computing industry and for advanced study in Computer Science. The department maintains close ties with local computing industries and encourages its students to participate in the many cooperative and internship opportunities made available through these contacts.

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The program educational objectives are:

• Be successful in their careers as computer scientists in business, industry, or for advanced studies in the discipline.
• Apply fundamental principles and practices of computer science for the design, development, and management of software systems.
• Serve as role models of ethical and responsible behavior and foster teamwork and cooperation in their profession and their communities.
• Engage in life-long learning, embracing the latest practices, methods, and technologies in their careers.

The program has measurable program results that enable students, by the time of graduation, to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

What is Computer Science?

Most people often equate the study of Computer Science to the study of computer programming. Edsger Dijkstra – one of the pioneers of the Computer Science discipline once said, Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes. The study of Computer Science encompasses much more than programming and involves a variety of topics such as analysis and design of algorithms, formal design techniques, design of programming languages, software engineering, assembly language and computer organization, distributed computing, artificial intelligence, and mathematical analysis. Computer scientists study how to efficiently organize, store and retrieve data, how to write efficient programs, probe the limits of algorithmic techniques in designing programs to behave intelligently, develop new applications that benefit society and humankind, design complex software programs and design effective interfaces between programs and humans.

Application procedure

Visit apply.ualr.edu to complete an application for undergraduate admission and submit the $40 non-refundable application fee. Applicants with fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours should request that an official high school transcript or GED scores be sent to the Office of Admissions. Only official transcripts will be accepted and must be submitted in a sealed, stamped envelope from the issuing institution or sent via electronic data interchange from the high school. Applicants with fewer than 12 transferable college credit hours may need to request official ACT or SAT scores from the testing agency (UA Little Rock ACT Code 0132; UA Little Rock SAT code 6368) if the official high school transcript does not include scores and the student did not indicate UA Little Rock as a score recipient at the time of testing. ACT, SAT, COMPASS or Accuplacer scores must be from tests taken within the last five years. Students have the option of taking the Accuplacer test available through UA Little Rock Testing Services. Any applicant previously enrolled at another institution(s) must request that an official college transcript(s) be sent to the Office of Admissions. Only official transcripts will be accepted and must be submitted in a sealed, stamped envelope from the issuing institution or sent via electronic data interchange from the previous institution. Students may submit an official “In Progress” transcript from the institution at which s/he is currently enrolled for admission purposes, but will still be required to submit a final, official transcript once all grades have been posted. Freshmen who completed high school concurrent credit at an institution other than UA Little Rock must submit an official college transcript. Students born after January 1, 1957, must submit proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunizations.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible, quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we prepare our more than 9,000 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock’s thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state’s growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology, economic development, and job creation.

UA Little Rock students get to learn from the best professors around in classes that are as engaging as they are rigorous. Coursework blends critical thinking with real-world experience, providing a springboard for internships and later careers in such in-demand fields as nursing, engineering, data quality, criminal justice, and education. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs.