Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
Department of Computer Science
Computer Science (BS) and Software Engineering (BS)
The Computer Science Department offers the BS degree in Computer Science and the BS degree in Software Engineering. Both are based on a solid foundation of mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics. These programs of study are designed to offer students opportunities to prepare for an industrial, business, or governmental career in a rapidly changing profession and to prepare for graduate study in a field in which further education is strongly recommended. The two programs have the same basis in core computer science, including the analysis of algorithms and data structures, modern programming methodologies, and the study of operating systems. The Computer Science program continues with courses in advanced data structures, programming languages, telecommunications networks, and automata theory, while the Software Engineering program include courses in requirements engineering, software validation and testing, and software architecture, culminating in a challenging project course in which students must demonstrate use of software engineering techniques. Both programs offer a rich choice of elective studies, including courses in artificial intelligence, computer graphics, databases, and compiler design.
The school offers a "fast track" BS / MS option; see Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degree Program.
Faculty
Professors: Farokh B. Bastani, R. Chandrasekaran, Ovidiu Daescu, Yvo G. Desmedt, Ding-Zhu Du, András Faragó, Gopal Gupta, Zygmunt Haas, Dung T. Huynh, Jason Jue, Latifur Khan, Dan I. Moldovan, Simeon C. Ntafos, Ivor P. Page, Balakrishnan Prabhakaran, Ravi Prakash, Balaji Raghavachari, Hsing-Mean (Edwin) Sha, Ivan Hal Sudborough, Bhavani Thuraisingham, Subbarayan Venkatesan, W. Eric Wong, Weili Wu, I-Ling Yen, Kang Zhang, Si Qing Zheng
Professor Emeritus: Klaus Truemper
Associate Professors: Sergey Bereg, Lawrence Chung, Jorge A. Cobb, Kendra M. L. Cooper, Xiaohu Guo, Kevin Hamlen, Sanda M. Harabagiu, Murat Kantarcioglu, Yang Liu, Neeraj Mittal, Yu-Chung (Edwin) Ng, Kamil Sarac, Haim Schweitzer, Yuke Wang, Rym Zalila-Wenkstern
Assistant Professors: Alvaro Cárdenas, Mark Gabel, Vibhav Gogate, Zhiqiang Lin, Cong Liu, Ryan McMahan
Senior Lecturers: Ebru Cankaya, Michael Christiansen, John Cole, Chris I. Davis, Timothy (Edwin) Farage, Shyam Karrah, Pushpa Kumar, Linda Morales, Nhut Nguyen, Greg Ozbirn, Mark Paulk, Miguel Razo-Razo, Charles Shields Jr., Jason W. Smith, Janell Straach, Laurie Thompson, Jeyakesavan (Jey) Veerasamy, Don G. Vogel
Mission of the Department of Computer Science
The mission of the Department of Computer Science is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for productive careers in industry, academia, and government by providing an outstanding environment for teaching, learning, and research in the theory and applications of computing. The Department places high priority on establishing and maintaining innovative research programs to enhance its education quality and make it an important regional, national and international resource center for discovering, integrating and applying new knowledge and technologies.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS)
Goals for the Computer Science Program
The undergraduate Computer Science program is committed to provide students with a high-quality education and prepare them for long and successful careers in industry and government.
Our graduates, while eminently ready for immediate employment, will also be fully ready for focused training as required for specific positions in Computer Science and closely related areas. Graduates interested in highly technical careers, research, and/or academia will be fully prepared to further their education in graduate school.
Program Educational Objectives for Computer Science
Within a few years after graduation, graduates of the Computer Science program should:
- Have a successful, long-lived, computer science based career path
- Meet the needs of industry or academia
- Contribute to, and/or lead, computer science based teams
- Actively pursue continuing (lifelong) learning
ABET Accreditation
The BS program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Degree Requirements (124 hours)
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 hours1
Communication (6 hours)
3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
3 hours Professional and Technical Communication (ECS 3390)2
Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
6 semester credit hours Government (GOVT 2301 and GOVT 2302)
6 hours American History
3 hours Social and Behavioral Science (ECS 3361)
Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
6 hours Calculus (MATH 2413, MATH 2414 or MATH 2417, MATH 2419)3
Science (9 hours)
6 hours Lecture courses (PHYS 2325 and PHYS 2326)4
2 hours Laboratory courses (PHYS 2125 and PHYS 2126)4
4 hours Science Elective4
II. Major Requirements: 68 hours
Major Preparatory Courses (20 hours beyond Core Curriculum)
ECS 1200 Introduction to Engineering and Computer Science5
CS 1337 Computer Science I
CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I
CS 2336 Computer Science II
MATH 2413 Differential Calculus
MATH 2418 Linear Algebra
MATH 2414 Integral Calculus
PHYS 2125 Physics Laboratory I4
PHYS 2126 Physics Laboratory II4
PHYS 2326 Electromagnetism and Waves4
4 hours Science Elective4
Major Core Courses (39 hours beyond Core Curriculum)
CS 3162 Professional Responsibility in Computer Science and Software Engineering
CS 3305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing II
CS 3340 Computer Architecture
CS 3341 Probability and Statistics in Computer Science and Software Engineering
CS 3345 Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithmic Analysis
CS 3354 Software Engineering
CS 3376 C/C++ Programming in a UNIX Environment
ECS 3361 Social Issues and Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering6
ECS 3390 Professional and Technical Communication2
CS 4141 Digital Systems Laboratory
CS 4337 Organization of Programming Languages
CS 4341 Digital Logic and Computer Design
CS 4348 Operating Systems Concepts
CS 4349 Advanced Algorithm Design and Analysis
CS 4384 Automata Theory
CS 4485 Computer Science Project
Major Guided Electives (9 hours)
CS guided electives are 4000 level CS courses approved by the student's CS advisor. The following courses may be used as guided electives without the explicit approval of an advisor:
CS 4314 Intelligent Systems Analysis
CS 4315 Intelligent Systems Design
CS 4334 Numerical Analysis
CS 4336 Advanced Java
CS 4347 or SE 4347 Database Systems
CS 4352 Human Computer Interactions I
CS 4353 Human Computer Interactions II
CS 4361 Computer Graphics
CS 4365 Artificial Intelligence
CS 4375 Introduction to Machine Learning
CS 4376 Object-Oriented Programming Systems
CS 4386 Compiler Design
CS 4389 Data and Applications Security
CS 4390 Computer Networks
CS 4391 Introduction to Computer Vision
CS 4392 Computer Animation
CS 4393 Computer and Network Security
CS 4394 Implementation of Modern Operating Systems
CS 4395 Human Language Technologies
CS 4396 Networking Laboratory
CS 4397 Embedded Computer Systems
CS 4398 Digital Forensics
CS 4399 Senior Honors in Computer Science
EE 4325 Introduction to VLSI Design
SE 4351 Requirements Engineering
SE 4352 Software Architecture and Design
SE 4367 Software Testing, Verification, Validation and Quality Assurance
SE 4381 Software Project Planning and Management
SE 4485 Software Engineering Project
III. Elective Requirements: 14 hours
Free Electives (14 hours)
Both lower- and upper-division courses may count as free electives but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degrees
In response to the need for post-baccalaureate education in the exciting field of computer science, a Fast Track program is available to well-qualified UT Dallas undergraduate students. At the end of five years of successful study, it is possible to earn both the BS and the MSCS degrees in Computer Science (or MS in Computer Science with Major in Software Engineering). Qualified seniors may take up to 15 graduate hours that may be used to complete the baccalaureate degree and also to satisfy requirements for the master's degree. Interested students should see the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education (ADU) for specific requirements.
Honors Programs
The Department of Computer Science offers upper-division Honors for outstanding students in both the BS in Computer Science and BS in Software Engineering degree programs. These programs offer special sections of designated classes and other activities designed to enhance the educational experience of exceptional students. Admission to the Honors programs requires a 3.500 or better GPA in at least 30 hours of coursework. Graduation with Honors requires a 3.500 or better GPA and completion of at least 6 honors classes, including a Senior Thesis or Senior Design Project class. For more details, contact the Office of Undergraduate Advising (ECS South 2.502; 972-883-2004).
Departmental Honors with Distinction may be awarded to students whose Senior Thesis or Senior Design Project is judged by a faculty committee to be of exemplary quality. Only students graduating with Departmental Honors are eligible. Thesis/projects must be submitted by the deadline that applies to MS Theses and PhD Dissertations in the graduating semester to allow for proper evaluation. Students interested in Honors with Distinction are encouraged to start working on their thesis/project a year prior to graduation.
Minors
A minor in Computer Science requires 21 credit hours earned through the following courses:
CS 1337 Computer Science I
CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I
CS 2336 Computer Science II
CS 3305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing II
CS 3345 Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithmic Analysis
CS 3354 Software Engineering
CS 43XX Elective (any 4000-level organized CS class or CS 4390)
A minor in Information Assurance requires 30 credit hours earned through the following courses:
CS 1337 Computer Science I
CS 2305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing I
CS 2336 Computer Science II
CS 3305 Discrete Mathematics for Computing II
CS 3345 Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithmic Analysis
CS 4347 Database Systems
CS 4348 Operating Systems Concepts
CS 4389 Data and Applications Security
CS 4393 Computer and Network Security
CS 4398 Digital Forensics
Certificates
A Certificate in Information Assurance can be obtained by completing the following (as well as any required prerequisites):
CS 4389 Data and Applications Security
CS 4393 Computer and Network Security
CS 4398 Digital Forensics
The certificate is intended for those individuals who are working in the industry and who already have background similar to a BS degree. CS and SE majors that complete the required classes, as well as students that complete the Minor in Information Assurance will be awarded certificates in Information Assurance.
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. Hours fulfill the communication elective of the Core Curriculum.
3. Six hours of Calculus are counted under Mathematics Core, and two hours of Calculus are counted as Major Preparatory Courses.
4. Nine hours of Science are counted under Science Core. Three hours are counted under Major Preparatory Courses. Students should consult an advisor for specific classes that satisfy this requirement.
5. Transfer students with sufficient background may petition to substitute upper-division hours in the major for this class.
6. Hours contribute to the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the Core Curriculum.