Computer Science (B.S.C.S.)

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Major code BS7260

Russ College of Engineering and Technology
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
329 Stocker Center
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1568
Fax: 740.593.0007
http://www.ohio.edu/engineering/eecs/

David Juedes, contact person, juedes@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The computer science program is administered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The School is the beneficiary of a major endowment from the late Dr. C. Paul Stocker, an electrical engineering alumnus. This endowment provides support for facilities and a level of excellence surpassed by few other electrical engineering and computer science departments in the nation. Its laboratories and offices are located in Stocker Center, and the Academic and Research Center. The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S) degree through the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, which is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4014—telephone: 410.347.7000.

Computer science involves the design, development, analysis, and maintenance of the computer software that controls complex computer systems and networks. Computer scientists work with all aspects of computer software, including graphics, multimedia, the World Wide Web, email, compilers, software engineering, computer gaming, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, theory of computer algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and Internet applications.

While writing programs is an important function for computer scientists, they do much more than that. They analyze the needs of software users, develop algorithms and interfaces to meet those needs, and work in small groups to design software components. They must be proficient at problem solving, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and interpersonal communication. The computer science program at Ohio University, because of its strong ties with mathematics and engineering, emphasizes both the mathematical and the practical components of computer science.

The computer science program has three major objectives for its undergraduate students:

Depth and Breadth: Produce graduates that will have the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge necessary to be productive upon entering the workforce or successful in advanced study;
Staying Current: Produce graduates that will maintain and develop the knowledge and skills needed to identify, formulate, and solve problems throughout their careers; and
Professionalism: Produce graduates that exhibit an understanding of the necessity for professional integrity, ethical behavior, and multicultural awareness.

Program educational objectives are statements that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

ACT and grade requirements are the same as the general University guidelines. Students should take four years of mathematics and a year of chemistry and physics if possible.

Change of Program Policy

Students who wish to transfer into an engineering or computer science program must have earned a C or better in a math course and a science course. The math course must be equivalent to MATH 1200 or higher. The science course must be required for the program or preparatory for a required course such as CHEM 1500, 1510, PHYS 2051 or BIOS 1700. Students must have an overall GPA greater than 2.0 at Ohio University, for all courses in Russ College, and for all courses in Chemical Engineering. Students must have succeeded in all required courses taken previously in three or fewer attempts. For some courses, success means a grade of at least a C or C-.

External Transfer Admission

In addition to University guidelines, students should have earned a C (2.0) or better grade in a college math course equivalent to MATH 1200 or higher and a C (2.0) or better grade in a chemistry course equivalent to CHEM 1210 or higher or a physics course equivalent to PHYS 2001 or higher.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Graduates of the bachelor of science degree program in computer science have pursued numerous opportunities in business, industry, government, and higher education. Several recent graduates have started their own software, networking, or consulting related businesses. Other recent graduates have taken jobs in the computer and software industries in Ohio and elsewhere. Past graduates have taken jobs at Verisign, Amazon.com, Expedia.com, Google, Microsoft, the National Security Agency, Verizon, Nortel, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and other well-known industrial and governmental organizations. Other graduates have pursued graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) in Computer Science at Ohio University and elsewhere (Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, North Carolina, etc.)

Undergraduate research in computer science is encouraged. The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science receives 6 to 10 million dollars annually in research support from industrial and governmental agencies. A number of undergraduate students participate in these sponsored research projects.