Computer Science (BS)
The Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering at NC State 福利逼站 offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree. The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of 础叠贰罢,听.听
Students complete the standard set of engineering first-year courses, which include courses in the humanities, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computing. Students may apply to join the Department of Computer Science as degree-seeking students via the .听
The Computer Science curriculum teaches students the skills needed to understand, specify, design, implement, test, and deploy computer and software systems. Core courses provide a foundation for all students in programming languages, data structures, software engineering, computer architectures, the theory of computation, the basics of building secure software and systems, teaming and communication, and the social and ethical dimensions of the practice of computer science.听
Computer science electives are chosen in consultation with advisers, usually starting during the junior year. These electives allow for the exploration of more advanced areas. Among them are artificial intelligence, cloud computing, compilers, computer architecture and multiprocessors, computer graphics, cryptography, database management systems, data science, development and operations, educational technology, file organization and processing, human-computer interface design, multimedia technology, networks, privacy, security (computer, network, and software), sensor systems, social computing, and web services.听
All Computer Science majors must complete a team project in Senior Design. Projects under the auspices of the department鈥檚 听may have industrial sponsors, so student teams gain experience working jointly with industry representatives to achieve project goals. Senior Design teams are expected to solve a technical computing problem while effectively communicating their work and process to various audiences.
Departmental Information
The Department of Computer Science is located in Engineering Building II on NC State鈥檚 Centennial Campus.听听
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Field of Study Requirements | |||
| Math | |||
| MA听141 | Calculus I 1,2 | 4 | |
| MA听241 | Calculus II 1,2 | 4 | |
| MA听242 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MA听305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 | |
| ST听370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| Sciences | |||
| CH听101 &听CH听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1,2 | 4 | |
| PY听205 &听PY听206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1,2 | 4 | |
| PY听208 &听PY听209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 | |
| Basic Science Elective | 3 | ||
| CSC Major | |||
| CSC听116 | Introduction to Computing - Java 2 | 3 | |
| CSC听216 &听CSC听217 | Software Development Fundamentals and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2 | 4 | |
| CSC听226 | Discrete Mathematics 2 | 3 | |
| CSC听230 | C and Software Tools | 3 | |
| CSC听246 | Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | 3 | |
| CSC听316 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 | |
| CSC听326 | Software Engineering | 4 | |
| CSC听333 | Automata, Grammars, and Computability | 3 | |
| CSC听379 | Ethics in Computing | 1 | |
| CSC听492 | Senior Design Project | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Other Major | |||
| CSC Restricted Electives | 12 | ||
| Other Restricted Electives - Group A | 6 | ||
| Other Restricted Electives - Group B | 6 | ||
| ENG听331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 | |
| College Requirements | |||
| Orientation Course(s): | 4 | ||
| Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,3 | |||
| Engineering in the 21st Century 2 | |||
| Introduction to Computing Environments 1 | |||
| Other: | 3 | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | |||
or听EC听201 | Principles of Microeconomics | ||
or听ARE听201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| General Education Program Requirements | |||
| ENG听101 1,3 | 4 | ||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Elective | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 121 | ||
- 1
College of Engineering CODA classes.
- 2
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 3
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Basic Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO *** | |||
| CH听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 | |
| MEA *** | |||
| PB *** | |||
| PY听123 | Stellar and Galactic Astronomy | 3 | |
| PY听124 | Solar System Astronomy | 3 | |
| PY听328 | Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 | |
| PY听341 | Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology | 3 | |
| PY听401 | Quantum Physics I | 3 | |
| PY听402 | Quantum Physics II | 3 | |
| PY听407 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 | |
| PY听411 | Mechanics I | 3 | |
| PY听412 | Mechanics II | 3 | |
| PY听413 | Thermal Physics | 3 | |
| PY听414 | Electromagnetism I | 3 | |
| PY听415 | Electromagnetism II | 3 | |
| ZOO *** | |||
CSC Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC听236 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists | 3 | |
| CSC听302 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 | |
| CSC听342 | Applied Web-based Client-Server Computing | 3 | |
| CSC听401 | Data and Computer Communications Networks | 3 | |
| CSC听402 | Networking Projects | 3 | |
| CSC听405 | Computer Security | 3 | |
| CSC听406 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| CSC听411 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| CSC听412 | Compiler Construction | 3 | |
| CSC听414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| CSC听415 | Software Security | 3 | |
| CSC听416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| CSC听417 | Theory of Programming Languages | 3 | |
| CSC听419 | DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices | 3 | |
| CSC听422 | Automated Learning and Data Analysis | 3 | |
| CSC听431 | File Organization and Processing | 3 | |
| CSC听433 | Privacy in the Digital Age | 3 | |
| CSC听440 | Database Management Systems | 3 | |
| CSC听442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 | |
| CSC听447 | Introduction to Cloud Computing | 3 | |
| CSC听450 | Web Services | 3 | |
| CSC听453 | Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) Systems | 3 | |
| CSC听454 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 | |
| CSC听455 | Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| CSC听456 | Computer Architecture and Multiprocessors | 3 | |
| CSC听461 | Computer Graphics | 3 | |
| CSC听462 | Advanced Computer Graphics Projects | 3 | |
| CSC听467 | Multimedia Technology | 3 | |
| CSC听471 | Modern Topics in Cybersecurity | 3 | |
| CSC听472 | Cybersecurity Projects | 3 | |
| CSC听474 | Network Security | 3 | |
| CSC听481 | Game Engine Foundations | 3 | |
| CSC听482 | Advanced Computer Game Projects | 3 | |
| CSC听484 | Building Game AI | 3 | |
| CSC听486 | Computational Visual Narrative | 3 | |
| CSC听495 | Special Topics in Computer Science | 1-6 | |
| CSC听498 | Independent Study in Computer Science | 3 | |
| CSC听499 | Independent Research in Computer Science | 1-6 | |
| CSC 5** | |||
| ECE听482 | Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development I | 3 | |
| ECE听483 | Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development II | 3 | |
| MA听414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| MA听416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| ST听442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 | |
Other Restricted Electives - Group A
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC Other Restricted Electives - Group B | |||
| ACC听200 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 3 | |
| ACC听210 | Concepts of Financial Reporting | 3 | |
| CE听214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 | |
| CSC听251 | Web Page Development | 1 | |
| CSC听255 | String Processing Languages | 1 | |
| CSC听281 | Foundations of Interactive Game Design | 3 | |
| CSC听293 | Computer Science Teaching Assistant Training | 1 | |
| CSC听295 | Special Topics in Computer Science | 1-3 | |
| CSC听297 | Cybersecurity Topics | 1 | |
| CSC听298 | Introduction to Computer Science Research Methods | 3 | |
| CSC听299 | Mentored Research in Computer Science | 1-3 | |
| ECE听211 | Electric Circuits | 4 | |
| ECE听212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design | 3 | |
| MAE 2** | 1-3 | ||
| MSE听201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | 3 | |
Other Restricted Electives - Group B
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC Restricted Elective Courses | 1-6 | ||
| ACC听310 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 | |
| ACC听311 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 | |
| ACC听330 | An Introduction To Income Taxation | 3 | |
| ACC听340 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 | |
| ARS听306 | Music Composition with Computers | 3 | |
| BUS听320 | Financial Management | 3 | |
| BUS听340 | Information Systems Management | 3 | |
| BUS听360 | Marketing Methods | 3 | |
| BUS 4** | |||
| CHE听435 | Process Systems Analysis and Control | 3 | |
| CHE听465 | Colloidal and Nanoscale Engineering | 3 | |
| CSC听427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC听428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| EC 3** | |||
| EC 4** | |||
| EC 5** | |||
| ECE 3** (except for ECE听309) | |||
| ECE 4** | |||
| ECE 5** | |||
| EMS听480 | Teaching Mathematics with Technology | 3 | |
| GC听320 | 3D Spatial Relations | 3 | |
| GC听350 | Applied CAD/D and Geometric Controls | 3 | |
| GC听420 | Visual Thinking | 3 | |
| GN 5** | |||
| ISE听311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| ISE听361 | Deterministic Models in Industrial Engineering | 3 | |
| ISE 4** | |||
| ISE 5** | |||
| LOG听335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| LOG听435 | Advanced Logic & Metamathematics | 3 | |
| LOG听535 | Advanced Logic and Metamathematics | 3 | |
| MA听302 | Numerical Applications to Differential Equations | 1 | |
| MA听341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA听351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 | |
| MA听401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 | |
| MA听402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| MA听403 | Introduction to Modern Algebra | 3 | |
| MA听405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| MA听407 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors | 3 | |
| MA听408 | Foundations of Euclidean Geometry | 3 | |
| MA听410 | Theory of Numbers | 3 | |
| MA听412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA听413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA听425 | Mathematical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA听426 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA听427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA听428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA听430 | Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| MA听432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 | |
| MA听437 | Applications of Algebra | 3 | |
| MA 5** | |||
| MAE 3** | |||
| MAE 4** | |||
| MAE 5** | |||
| MIE 3** | |||
| MIE 4** | |||
| MSE 3** | |||
| MSE 4** | |||
| MSE 5** | |||
| MUS听306 | Music Composition with Computers | 3 | |
| NE 3** | |||
| NE 4** | |||
| NE 5** | |||
| OR 5** | |||
| PHI听425 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 | |
| PSY听307 | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY听340 | Human Factors Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY听400 | Perception | 3 | |
| PSY听420 | Cognitive Processes | 3 | |
| PSY听425 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 | |
| PY 4** | |||
| PY 5** | |||
| ST听372 | Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression | 3 | |
| ST 4** | |||
| ST 5** | |||
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
Semester Sequence4
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CH听101 &听CH听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1, 2 | 4 |
| E听101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,3 | 1 |
| E听115 | Introduction to Computing Environments 1 | 1 |
| ENG听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1,3 | 4 |
| MA听141 | Calculus I 1, 2 | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC听116 | Introduction to Computing - Java 2 | 3 |
| MA听241 | Calculus II 1, 2 | 4 |
| PY听205 &听PY听206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1, 2 | 4 |
| E听102 | Engineering in the 21st Century 1, 2 | 2 |
| EC听205 | Fundamentals of Economics or Principles of Microeconomics or Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC听216 &听CSC听217 | Software Development Fundamentals and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2 | 4 |
| CSC听226 | Discrete Mathematics 2 | 3 |
| MA听242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY听208 &听PY听209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC听230 | C and Software Tools | 3 |
| CSC听316 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC听333 | Automata, Grammars, and Computability | 3 |
| MA听305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC听246 | Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | 3 |
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| ST听370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Other Restricted Elective - Group A | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC听326 | Software Engineering | 4 |
| CSC听379 | Ethics in Computing | 1 |
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| ENG听331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Other Restricted Elective - Group A | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Other Restricted Elective - Group B | 3 | |
| Basic Science Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC听492 | Senior Design Project | 3 |
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Other Restricted Elective - Group B | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 121 |
- 1
College of Engineering CODA classes.
- 2
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 3
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 4
One of the following two conditions regarding the major GPA is required: (l) the major GPA, which consists of all CSC courses attempted at NCSU, must be 2.0 or higher or (2) a student whose major grade point average is below 2.0 may graduate if no CSC course used to satisfy the major requirements has a grade below a C-.
Career Opportunities
Designing computer systems, and the software that runs on them is the job of computer scientists. Computer scientists find demand for their innovation, design, analysis, testing, and engineering skills across all domains. As a direct consequence of the increasingly critical role of computers in society, the discipline of computer science has enjoyed rapid growth for many years, with the trend likely to continue. Employment projections indicate a critical nationwide shortfall in the supply of people skilled in computing and information technology, and a resulting steady rise in demand and salaries, for decades to come. Computer Science graduates from NC State are in high demand, including by employers that are extremely selective in their national recruiting.
Anchoring one corner of the world-famous Research Triangle Park, and located in modern state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities on NC State鈥檚 Centennial Campus, the department and its students and faculty benefit from strong and active industry partnerships. NC State Computer Science is one of the top suppliers in the nation of new graduate hires to a number of high-tech companies, including several Fortune 500 companies, some with a substantial presence in the Research Triangle. Starting salaries for our undergraduates now average over $75,000 and show a steady increase. Opportunities are also plentiful for graduate study for those who wish to pursue the field in more depth.
Career Titles
- Architectural Drafters
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Clinical Data Managers
- Computer and Information Scientists
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Computer Network Architects
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Science Professor
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Computer Systems Engineer
- Computer User Support Specialist
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Database Administrator
- Information Security Analysts
- Information Technology Project Managers
- IT Administrator (Information Technology)
- Mathematician
- Project Management Specialists
- Robotics Engineers
- Scientific Linguist
- Software Developers - Applications
- Technical & Scientific Publications Editor
- Technical Publications Writer
- Video Game Designer
- Web Art Director
- Webmaster
Learn More About Careers
Explore North Carolina鈥檚 central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
(NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your to discuss the results.
听(Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.