This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Requirements for this program are current for
Fall 2013
Required credits to graduate with this
degree: 120
Required credits within the major: 89
to 96
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Computer science is a discipline that requires understanding the design of computers and computational processes. The B.S. in computer science is an accredited, four-year program that provides a solid foundation in mathematics and statistics, computational problem solving, software design and analysis, programming languages, algorithms, data structures, and computer organization and architecture. The program also requires that students acquire significant knowledge in several subdisciplines of computer science, thus enabling them to apply and situate their knowledge of computer science fundamentals. Goals of the learning process include highly developed programming skills, an understanding of the context in which computing activities occur, and an ability to communicate effectively. The program provides the necessary foundational studies for students preparing for graduate school as well as those seeking careers in industry.
The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, 410-347-7700.
Honors Requirement: Program candidates submit an application to the department honors committee. Participants must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.30 GPA in the major and complete an honors research project supervised by a faculty member; credit for the project can be earned in CS 4994 - Honors Project.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and
colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students
seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be
awarded for the same major.
Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal
Education Program or its approved equivalent.
Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in
compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g.,
Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30
credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy
major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including
courses in a subplan) through UMD.
If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division
credits in their minor field from UMD.
For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy
requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper
division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for
graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00
is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a
higher GPA standard to graduate.
Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all
financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1. Senior survey; contact the computer science office for details.
2. A minor or a second major from another department; the Computer Engineering minor may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Either CS 5621 or CS 5651 must be taken (under Advanced Courses); if both courses are taken, the second course fulfills the requirement of one Advanced Course Elective.
Additional approved courses from physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and geology (4 cr). The total number of credits for the additional science course and the science sequence must be at least 12 credits.
Additional science course that is either in the liberal education program category of Natural Science with lab or has such a course as a prerequisite.
One Stop for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
CS 1521 - Computer Science II
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Continuation of introduction to computer science. Methods for procedural and data abstraction. Focus on classical data structures, procedural and data abstraction, and the abstract data type. Introduction to software engineering technique. Algorithm analysis, principles of object-oriented programming issues in ethical use of computers. Requires implementation of significant programming projects.
prereq: 1511 or 1581, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 2511 - Software Analysis and Design
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Techniques for analyzing, designing, and creating medium-scale software through object-oriented design and implementation. Analysis and use of data structures. Introduction to design patterns. Emphasis on polymorphism and abstraction to increase software modularity, reusability, and flexibility.
prereq: 1521 or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 2521 - Computer Organization and Architecture
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Internal representation of programs and data. Computer organization and introduction to computer architecture. Machine and assembly language programming. Data and procedural structures. Addressing methods. Systems software including linking and loading. Introduction to hardware performance analysis and measurements.
prereq: 1521 or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
EE 1315 - Digital Logic
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Binary number system and digital coding techniques. Boolean algebra, combinational logic circuits, and minimization techniques. Synchronous sequential circuits and state reduction techniques. Medium Scale Integration (MSI) combinational components.
prereq: CE, ChE, CS, EE, IE, ME majors or instructor consent
CS 1511 - Computer Science I
(LE CAT)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CS 1511/1581
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
A comprehensive introduction to computer programming using the C++ language. The course covers program design, C++ programming basics, control structures, functions and parameter passing. Students write and implement programs with data structures (arrays), pointers and files. Object-oriented programming is also introduced, along with concepts of abstraction, ADTs, encapsulation and data hiding.
prereq: 3 1/2 yrs high school math or instructor consent
CS 1581 - Honors: Computer Science I
(LE CAT)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CS 1511/1581
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall
Similar to 1511, but in greater depth and with more challenging assignments. For high-ability students.
prereq: Honors student, 3 1/2 yrs high school math
CS 3111 - Computer Ethics
(HUMANITIES)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Ethical issues posed by computer use, including those related to networking, intellectual property, privacy, crime and security, risk and reliability, and effects on work and wealth. Includes significant writing and a class presentation
prereq: WRIT 3100 or 3110 or 3121 or 3130 or 3140 or 3150 or 3160 or Engr 4001, minimum 60 credits or instructor consent; a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 3541 - Software Engineering
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Recognition of conditions for production of high quality software. Use of current software development technology. Organization and management of software development projects. Includes a significant team project.
prereq: 2511 or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in prerequisite course
CS 5312 - Operating Systems
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Operating system as resource manager. Modern solutions to issues such as processor management and scheduling, concurrency and related problems including deadlocks, memory management and protection, file system design, virtualization, distributed and cloud computing. Concepts including concurrency are illustrated via laboratory assignments, This is a potential Master's project course.
prereq: grad student, 2511, 2521, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5422 - Computer Networks
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to computer networking, network programming, networking hardware and associated network protocols. Layered network architecture, network services, and implementation of computer networking software.
prereq: grad student, 2511, 2521, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 4322 - Database Management Systems
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Study of database management fundamentals focusing on the relational data model. Topics include database organization, file organization, query processing, concurrency control, recovery, data integrity, optimization and view implementation.
prereq: no grad credit, 2511, 2521, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) instructor consent; a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 4332 - Computer Security
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Entropy and the underlying characteristics of text. Encryption-basic techniques based on confusion and diffusion and modern day encryption. Access, information flow and inference control. Program threats and intrusion detection/prevention. Network and Internet security. Firewalls, trusted systems, network authentication. Privacy and related social issues. Planning, Incidents, and Recovery.
prereq: no grad credit, 2511, 2521, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) or instructor consent; a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5222 - Artificial Intelligence
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Principles and programming methods of artificial intelligence. Knowledge representation methods, state space search strategies, and use of logic for problem solving. Applications chosen from among expert systems, planning, natural language understanding, uncertainty reasoning, machine learning, and robotics. Lectures and labs will utilize suitable high-level languages (e.g., Python or Lisp).
prereq: grad student, 2511, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5342 - Compiler Design
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Fall & Spring
A selection from the following topics: finite-state grammars, lexical analysis, and implementation of symbol tables. Context-free languages and parsing techniques. Syntax-directed translation. Run-time storage allocation. Intermediate languages. Code generation methods. Local and global optimization techniques.
prereq: grad student, 2511, 2521, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355) or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5212 - Computer Graphics
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Introduces the fundamentals of computer graphics to create 2D images from 3D data representations, the graphics pipeline, 3D representations of objects such as triangles and triangle meshes, surface material representations, color representation, vector and matrix mathematics, 3D coordinates and transformations, transport of light energy, global illumination, graphics rendering systemes, ray tracing, rasterization, real-time rendering, OpenGL and computer graphics hardware.
prereq: graduate student, CS 2511, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355), (MATH 3280 or 3326) or instructor consent, a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5232 - Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Mining
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to primary approaches to machine learning and data mining. Methods selected from decision trees, neural networks, statistical learning, genetic algorithms, support vector machines, ensemble methods, and reinforcement learning. Theoretical concepts associated with learning, such as inductive bias and Occam's razor. This is a potential Master's project course.
prereq: grad student, 2511, 2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355, Stat 3611 or 3411, Math 3280 or 3326 or instructor consent; a grade of C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses
CS 5242 - Natural Language Processing
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Fall
Techniques for creating computer programs that analyze, generate, and understand written human language. Emphasizes broad coverage of both rule-based and empirical data-driven methods. Topics include word-level approaches, syntactic analysis, and semantic interpretation. Applications selected from conversational agents, sentiment analysis, information extraction, and question answering. Significant research project that includes experimental results, written report, and clear grasp of ethical considerations involved.
prereq: CS 2511, (2531 or 3512 or MATH 3355), grad student or instructor consent; a grade of C- or better is required in the prerequisite course; credit will not be granted if already received for CS 4242 or 5761
COMM 1112 - Public Speaking
(LE CAT, COMM & LAN)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Comm 1112/1511
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Application of the theoretical bases of rhetoric to the public speaking situation.
MATH 1296 - Calculus I
(LE CAT, LOGIC & QR)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Math1290/1296/1596
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
First part of a standard introduction to calculus of functions of a single variable. Limits, continuity, derivatives, integrals, and their applications.
prereq: Math ACT 27 or higher or a grade of at least C- in Math 1250 or department consent
MATH 1297 - Calculus II
(LOGIC & QR)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Math 1597/1297
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Second part of a standard introduction to calculus. Vectors, applications of integrals, transcendental functions, series, and multivariable functions and partial derivatives.
prereq: A grade of at least C- in 1290 or 1296 or 1596
STAT 3611 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Basic probability, including combinatorial methods, random variables, mathematical expectation. Binomial, normal, and other standard distributions. Moment-generating functions. Basic statistics, including descriptive statistics and sampling distributions. Estimation and statistical hypothesis testing.
prereq: A grade of at least C- in Math 1290 or Math 1296
MATH 3326 - Vectors and Matrices
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall
Solving systems of linear equations; matrix algebra; determinants; an introduction to vector spaces, subspaces, linear independence, span, basis; coordinates, matrix transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, matrix factorizations and applications to computer graphics.
prereq: 1296 with a grade of C- or better
MATH 4326 - Linear Algebra
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces, subspaces, linear independence, span, basis, coordinates, linear transformations, matrix representations of linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization, orthogonal projection and least squares.
prereq: A grade of at least C- in 3280, 3355, no grad credit
WRIT 3130 - Advanced Writing: Engineering
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Study of writing for those invested in the disciplines of engineering or computer science. Exploration of academic and professional rhetorical situations. Practice with research methods, document design, editing, effective collaboration, and ethical issues in the production of documents in multiple genres for multiple audiences.
pre-req: 1) WRIT 1120 or MNTC or AA completed 2) minimum 60 credits earned or in progress
WRIT 3150 - Advanced Writing: Science
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Study of writing for those invested in the disciplines of mathematics and life and physical sciences. Exploration of academic and professional rhetorical situations. Practice with research methods, document design, editing, effective collaboration, and ethical issues in the production of documents in multiple genres for multiple audiences.
prereq: 1) WRIT 1120 or MNTC or AA completed 2) minimum 60 credits earned or in progress
BIOL 1011 - General Biology I
(LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
BIOL 1011/BIOL 1013
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, energy transformations, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, molecular biology, DNA technology, development, origin of life, and evolution. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab)
prereq: 1 yr high school Chem or 1 semester college Chem, Math ACT 21 or higher or MATH 1005 or higher; credit will not be granted if already received for BIOL 1013
BIOL 1012 - General Biology II
(SUSTAIN)
Credits:
5.0
[max 5.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Fundamental concepts of biology, including classification and diversity of life, anatomy, physiology, and development of prokaryotes, protistans, fungi, animals, and plants; behavior; population, community, and ecosystem ecology. (4 hrs lect, 2.5 hrs lab)
prereq: A grade of C- or better in 1011
CHEM 1153 - General Chemistry I
(LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CHEM 1173/CHEM 1153/CHEM 1161
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers fundamental concepts of the atom, molecule, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, and other selected topics. The companion laboratory, CHEM 1154, should be taken concurrently. The combination of CHEM 1153 and CHEM 1154 meets the lab component of NAT SCI, LE CAT 4.
prereq: One year high school chem, Math ACT 24 or higher or a grade of least C- in Math 1005, Credit will not be granted if already received for 1151 or 1161 or 1173. Fall semester, SCSE majors only.
CHEM 1154 - General Chemistry Lab I
(LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CHEM 1174/CHEM 1154
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Basic laboratory skills while investigating the fundamental principles of chemistry. Covers fundamental concepts of the atom and molecule, stoichiometry, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, thermochemistry, characteristic properties of anions, gas laws and spectrophotometry. This laboratory accompanies lecture CHEM 1153. The combination of CHEM 1153 and CHEM 1154 meets liberal education category 4 requirements.
prereq: Previous or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1153 or 1173; credit will not be granted if already received for CHEM 1151, 1161 or 1174.
CHEM 1155 - General Chemistry II
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CHEM 1175/CHEM 1155/CHEM 1162
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers intermolecular forces, properties of liquids, solids and solution, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, solubility, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and other selected topics. Solid knowledge of college algebra and General Chemistry I is required. The companion laboratory course CHEM 1156 should be taken concurrently.
prereq: 1151 or 1153 or 1161 or 1173; credit will not be granted if already received for 1152, 1162 or 1175.
CHEM 1156 - General Chemistry Lab II
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies:
CHEM 1176/CHEM 1156
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamental principles of chemistry exemplified by laboratory study of elements, compounds, and their reactions. Covers titration, intermolecular forces, colligative properties, kinetics, chemical equilibria, and qualitative analysis. This laboratory accompanies lecture CHEM 1155.
prereq: 1151 or 1161 or 1154 or 1174, concurrent or previous enrollment in CHEM 1155; credit will not be granted if already received for Chem 1152, 1162 or 1176.
EES 1110 - Geology and Earth Systems
(LE CAT, NAT SCI, SUSTAIN)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
EES 1110 FST 1409
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Earth systems science is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the processes operating within and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. In this course we investigate the changing nature of the Earth; its composition, architecture, and antiquity; the internal and external processes that shape it through time; cycles of energy and matter; the development of life and impact of human activity; and both local environmental issues and global change.
For students using a 2012-2021 LEP catalog year, the GEOL subject is now EES. If you took GEOL 1610, EES 1110 will not fulfill the requirement of a different subject.
Credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 1110
EES 2311 - Mineralogy
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
EES 2311/EES 2301
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall
Systematic study of minerals and their relationship to rocks. Emphasis will be placed on introductory crystal chemistry, crystallography and physical properties; optical mineralogy, and identification of minerals in hand specimen, thin section, and by x-ray diffraction. (Course fee assessed.)
prereq: GEOL or EES 1110 or 2110 and CHEM 1103 or 1113 or 1153 or 1173 or instructor consent; credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 2311 or EES 2301.
EES 2312 - Petrology
Credits:
4.0
[max 5.0]
Course Equivalencies:
EES 2312/FST 2342
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Spring
Petrology of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, including their occurrence, petrogenesis and tectonic setting. Emphasis on the relationships between mineral assemblages, rock textures, geochemistry, origins, and rock-forming processes.
prereq: GEOL or EES 2311; credit will not be granted if already received for GEOL 2312.
PHYS 2013 - General Physics I
(LE CAT, NAT SCI)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Calculus-based introduction to Newtonian Mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat. The companion laboratory, PHYS 2014 should be taken concurrently. The combination of PHYS 2013 and 2014 meets liberal education category 4.
prereq: previous or concurrent registration in PHYS 2014. Prerequisite of Math 1290 or 1296 or 1596; credit will not be granted if already received for PHYS 2011.
PHYS 2014 - General Physics Lab I
(NAT SCI)
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Calculus-based introduction to Newtonian Mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat exemplified by laboratory study. This laboratory accompanies lecture PHYS 2013 and should be taken concurrently. The combination of PHYS 2013 and 2014 meets liberal education category 4.
prereq: previous or concurrent enrollment in PHYS 2013 or 2017
PHYS 2015 - General Physics II
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics. The companion laboratory, PHYS 2016, should be taken concurrently.
prereq: previous or concurrent registration in 2016. Prerequisite of 2011 or 2013 or 2017 and 2014, Math 1297 or 1597; credit will not be granted if already received for PHYS 2012.
PHYS 2016 - General Physics Lab II
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics exemplified by laboratory study. This laboratory accompanies lecture PHYS 2015 and should be taken concurrently.
prereq: Previous or concurrently enrollment in PHYS 2015 or 2018.
