Majoring in Computer Science will train you to create software applications in fields
ranging from gaming to Web and mobile apps. It will give you a strong understanding
of computational theory and best practices so that you can adapt throughout your career
to ever-evolving computing capabilities.
We offer our Computer Science program in two separate tracks: the Bachelor of Arts
(B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). The B.A. is designed for students who are interested
in furthering their computer science studies but wish to pick up another minor or
major in something outside of the mathematics & sciences realm. The B.S. is set up
with extra-disciplary requirements, meaning additional math & science courses. This
program is better targeted at students who wish to pursue a Math minor to complement
their Computer Science major.
Why study Computer Science?
Majoring in computer science will:
train you to create software applications in fields ranging from gaming to Web and
mobile apps;
give you a strong understanding of computational theory and best practices so that
you can
adapt throughout your career to ever-evolving computing capabilities;
prepare you for graduate study leading to research-and-development opportunities;
provide you with a strong technology background that could, with other education,
lead to entrepreneurial ventures or technically-demanding positions in fields including
business, engineering, medicine, and science.
Advantages of Studying Computer Science at Duquesne include:
Small classes, one-on-one mentoring and tutoring.
Opportunity to participate in faculty research projects.
Faculty respected for both scholarly and educational accomplishments.
Up-to-date labs and software and alternate operating systems.
Access to a high performance cluster computer when needed.
Our graduates are applying their computer science degrees in exciting ways, such as:
Developing applications for the Web, iPhone, motion pictures (CGI), computer games,
and supercomputers;
employing their skills at organizations such as Pixar, EA Sports, CNET, Raytheon,
the Department of Defense, the FBI, FedEx and Highmark.
Launching their own Web-based business.
Earning doctoral degrees at top institutions, including the University of California,
Berkeley, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Washington;
Enrolling in other post-baccalaureate programs in computer science, law, business
and mathematics.
"I’ve had two computer science-related internships: One as a research associate
and one as an IT intern. The hands-on experience that I had during these is valuable
beyond measure. They made me realize that I was in the right major.”
—Sara Skiba, military veteran and computer science major
Program Requirements
All Computer Science students take the same 15-18 credit core. Depending on your track,
you will either complete the rest of your credits per the B.A. or B.S. requirements.
COSC 145 Algorithmic Thinking (optional)
COSC 160 Computer Programming: Java
COSC 215 Data Structures with Java
COSC 220 Computer Organization and Assembly Language
COSC 300 Algorithms
COSC 325W Operating Systems
COSC electives for the B.A.:18 hours (15 hours if COSC 145 is taken) beyond the core at the 200 level or above;
at least 6 of these hours must be taken at the 400 level.
Mathematics Requirements for the B.A.:
MATH 135 Discrete Mathematics
MATH 115 Calculus I
COSC electives for the B.S.: 25 credits (22 credits if COSC 145 is taken) beyond the core at the 200 level or
above. At least 9 of these credits must be at the 400 level or above and include both
of the following:
COSC 481 Computer Science Capstone Project
at least one course of the following:
COSC 401
COSC 410
COSC 430
COSC 445W
COSC 460
Mathematics/Science Requirements for the B.S.:At least 30 credits of mathematics and science including:
Mathematics:At least 15 credits including
MATH 135 Discrete Mathematics
MATH 115 Calculus I
MATH 116 Calculus II
Either MATH 225 Biostatistics I or MATH 301 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
Science: At least 8 credits in courses acceptable for a major in the science discipline chosen
and including at least one sequence chosen from the three options: BIOL 111-113 & 115-117, CHEM 121-122, or PHYS 211-212.
Minor in Computer Science (18 credits)
Required courses for the minor in Computer Science are:
MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics
COSC 160 & COSC 215 OR COSC 170 & COSC 216
Nine additional credits of computer science courses numbered 200 and above, with at
least three credits at the 300 level or above.
