About

Can you picture yourself designing and implementing software solutions to problems? Are you interested in challenging yourself using critical thinking to work in industry as a programmer, software engineer, designer or architect who uses software?

The computer science degree covers the theory and practice of software design, as well as hardware construction and operation. Technologies and tools are emphasized only to the extent necessary to enable proper understanding of methodology, theory and practice. Tools and technologies currently explored include, but are not limited to:

Programming Languages: C++, Java

Operating Systems: Windows, Unix

Hardware: PC workstations, Sun workstations

Database Environments: Oracle, PostgreSQL and MongoDB

Software Engineering Tools: Rational Rose, UML


The BS degree program is a comprehensive program that prepares students for either professional employment in the field or for further studies in graduate school. It provides a more comprehensive background in mathematics, science and underlying principles of computer science.

ECU Advantage

The Department of Computer Science maintains an active dialogue with its industrial supporters and alumni through advisory boards and by other means in order to make sure that all of its programs remain relevant and current. We offer you a variety of choices that will allow you to graduate from our program with the professional and technical competencies needed to begin a satisfying and lucrative career.

We pride ourselves on our small class sizes, which ensure low faculty-to-student ratios. In addition, we have dedicated academic and career advising, excellent laboratory facilities, internship and co-op opportunities, a talented and diverse faculty from a wide range of prestigious universities, and special relationships with companies such as IBM that participate in the instruction of some of our courses.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Qin Ding (C-118 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9680; dingq@ecu.edu)

Majors must earn a C- (1.7) or better in all common core and CSCI elective courses to be awarded the degree.

The degree requires 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

See cognates in section 3 for courses that fulfill natural sciences requirements. Seven semester hours (7 s.h.) of natural sciences cognates may count toward general education requirements.

  • COMM 2020 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication OR
  • COMM 2410 - Public Speaking

  • PHIL 2275 - Professional Ethics
2. Common core - 51 s.h.
  • CSCI 1010 - Algorithmic Problem Solving
  • CSCI 1011 - Algorithmic Problem Solving Lab
  • CSCI 2400 - Discrete Structures I
  • CSCI 2405 - Discrete Structures II
  • CSCI 2410 - Digital Logic Design
  • CSCI 2530 - Algorithms and Data Structures
  • CSCI 2540 - Data Abstraction and Object-Oriented Data Structures
  • CSCI 3000 - Operating Systems
  • CSCI 3010 - Computer Networks
  • CSCI 3030 - Software Engineering I

  • CSCI 3584 - Computational Linear Algebra OR
  • MATH 3256 - Linear Algebra OR
  • MATH 3584 - Computational Linear Algebra

  • CSCI 3650 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
  • CSCI 3675 - Principles of Programming Languages
  • CSCI 3700 - Database Management Systems
  • CSCI 4230 - Software Engineering II
  • CSCI 4231 - Software Engineering II Lab
  • CSCI 4520 - Computer Architecture
  • CSCI 4602 - Automata, Computability and Complexity
  • CSCI 4900 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Computer Science
3. Cognates - 18 s.h.
    Math cognates - 6 s.h
    • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I OR
    • MATH 2171 - Calculus I

    • MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I OR
    • MATH 2283 - Statistics for Business
    Science cognates - 12 s.h.

    (One of the following options must be selected.)

      Note:

      7 s.h. of the below natural sciences cognates may count toward general education requirements.

        Option 1 - Biology
        • BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
        • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
        • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
        • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
        • 4 s.h. of science
        • 4 s.h. of natural sciences that satisfy general education requirements
        Option 2 - Chemistry
        • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
        • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
        • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
        • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
        • 4 s.h.
        • 4 s.h. of natural sciences that satisfy general education requirements
        Option 3 - Physics
        • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
        • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
        • PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
        • PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
        • 2 s.h.
        • 2 s.h. of natural sciences that satisfy general education requirements
    4. Electives in the major - 12 s.h.

    Choose from the following: 

    • CSCI electives
    • SENG 3020 - Software Verification and Validation
    • CSCI electives above 2999
    5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation - 6 s.h.
      Note:

      Requirements for 5 above, may be met by satisfying the requirements for a minor.

      For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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