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    Courses of Study

 
The CS Department offers several tracks of study. Each track is designed to engage students in the study and application of computing from various disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. As a result, our major and minor tracks of study appeal to a variety of student interests, backgrounds, and abilities. Discover your computing niche while browsing the following SMU Computer Science Department major and minor offerings.


Our E-Business Technology major provides the student with a broad, but technically focused background in using computer technology to build e-business system infrastructure. Upon successful completion of the major, students are able to use computer technology (including web-development tools, databases, and networks) to build business-oriented information technology systems. This major supports a student who wishes to pursue careers in businesses and organizations in which Internet-based activities are a key component of the enterprise.

Our Computer Science major is directed toward students interested in studying computer science with the intent of pursuing careers in computer-related fields or pursuing a graduate degree in the field. The curriculum is divided into three sections: lower core, upper core, capstone experience and electives. The lower core courses provide the necessary programming, architectural and mathematical foundations for all later course work. The upper core courses provide a well-balanced mix of both the theory and application of concepts that are fundamental to computer science as a discipline. The capstone experience provides an opportunity for students to test, integrate, and expand what they have learned during their first three years as a major.

Our Computer Engineering major  is an interdisciplinary major which captures the desirability and strength of preparation in both physics and computer science. Many students double major or major-minor in our two areas of study. It is our experience that students with combined preparation in physics and computer science, along with a strong liberal arts foundations, are very competitive in the job market.

Our Mathematical Computer Science major is an interdisciplinary major which captures the desirability and strength of preparation in both mathematics and computer science. The two areas are complementary and, in fact, many of our students have double majored or major-minored between the departments. Students with combined preparation in mathematics and computer science take very desirable credentials with them upon graduation, as the placement records of our departments for graduates and interns indicates.

Our NEW Computer Technology minor provides opportunities to students from both technical and non-technical disciplines to supplement their major with a practical set of courses focused on computer technology. Upon successful completion of the minor, students are able to analyze, design and implement a web-based system that incorporates the use of databases. In addition, students gain a basic understanding of the social, legal, and ethical issues arising from the widespread use of existing and emerging technologies. The following courses are required for the minor.

The Computer Science minor is directed toward those students who are interested in learning sufficient computer applications, theory and programming skills to make effective use of computers in their major areas of concentration. A minor in computer science permits considerable flexibility in the selection of upper division computer courses to meet the needs and interests of students in a variety of majors.

 
 
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