B.S. in Computer Science

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): -
  • CS 340 Graphical User Interfaces (3)
  • CS 350 Systems Programming (3)
• Two courses from the following (6): -
  • 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.

UH Hilo at a Glance

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a state university with a private college atmosphere. We offer small class sizes, a low faculty-to-student ratio, and opportunities for research and hands-on learning. As a public university, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has a unique position in the State—and country—by offering a rigorous and engaging curriculum at an affordable tuition rate. The admission requirements are moderately selective, allowing above-average students the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a small school experience. UH, Hilo is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Established:

• 1947 when UH Mānoa begins the Hilo program
• 1970 as the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Role: Public Liberal Arts and Science University of Hawaiʻi

Calendar:

• 2 semesters of 16-17 weeks each and
• a four-week intensive summer session and
• a six-week regular summer session

Enrollment: 4,043 Faculty to Student Ratio: 1:14 Average Class Size: 20

Campus Size:

• 115 acres - Main Campus
• 33 acres - University Village Phase I (under development)
• 10 acres - Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Center
• 110 acres - Panaʻewa Farm
• 163 acres - UH Hilo Science and Technology Park (Makai)
• 324 acres - UH Hilo Science and Technology Park (Mauka)

Degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Doctorate (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Majors:

• 37 Undergraduate
• 8 Graduate
• 4 Doctorates

Tuition: See the Tuition & Fees page

The Most Diverse Students

In 2014, UH Hilo was named as the most diverse four-year public institution in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Why Students Choose UH Hilo

On Hawai‘i Island, inspiration is everywhere; it’s in the land, sky, and sea, in the people, we meet on forest trails, local markets, and in our classrooms. Built on the coastal slopes of the world’s largest mountain and centered in the Pacific Ocean, the University of Hawai‘i Hilo challenges empowers and inspires our students. As a university community, we draw our inspiration from the people we call ‘ohana, and the island we call home.

Inspired by the ‘Āina

In Hawai‘i we know the land, the ‘āina, sustains us. The earth is more than a resource; it is our source of life. Surrounded by an incredible combination of high mountains and deep ocean, lush rainforest and arid fields of lava, we are inspired to understand our world through bold scholarship and care for our environment through a responsible relationship with our living earth and the community of life it sustains.

Inspired by Discovery

Our island home was discovered by courageous voyagers and their legacy inspires us to follow in the wake of their double-hulled canoes. A UH Hilo education is designed for discovery; from sea stars to supernovae, our focus on hands-on learning allows our students and expert faculty to discover the world together. Research in the field, internships with local businesses and organizations, small class sizes that encourage the honest exchange of ideas, and our university supported exchange programs all come together to inspire our students to discover their talents and passions by exploring the world.

Inspired by Innovation

By cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural understanding, we prepare graduates that are ready to tackle 21st-century challenges and move the world forward. Whether our students are restoring native forests, improving the health of our local community, composing powerful stories, or designing safe landing for the first manned mission to Mars, they take inspiration from centuries of innovation to formulate creative solutions rooted in the hard-earned wisdom of those that came before.

Inspired by Each Other

The unique heritage of Hawai‘i weaves together a lei of cultures that honor our shared humanity and challenges us to learn from each other and see the world through a different lens. Our dynamic programs and vibrant location draw students from across Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and the world, creating academic and social opportunities at UH Hilo that can be found nowhere else on earth.

Inspired by You

When it comes down to it, we exist to prepare our students to empower their lives and transform the world, and you are our greatest inspiration. Deeply committed to creating that opportunity, UH Hilo is leading higher education into the future by providing a rigorous, residential college experience within reach. With the most affordable resident tuition rate in the state and $45 million awarded annually in financial aid and scholarships, we strive to break down barriers to higher education and open the doors of opportunity. At the University of Hawai‘i Hilo, we find our inspiration in the unique community and amazing environment that surrounds us every day. If there was ever a place to be inspired, this is it. Join us, and find what inspires you.