Bachelor of Science, Major in Computing Science (Information Assurance, IA)

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Bachelor of Science, Major in Computing Science (Information Assurance, IA)
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communications)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 14
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 13
Degree Specific Requirement
MATH 1420Calculus I 1, 24
MATH 1430Calculus II4
MATH 2395Discrete Mathematics3
MATH (Advanced)3
STAT 3379Statistical Methds in Practice3
Science (In addition to Component Area III)8
Advanced general electives9
Total Hours72

The Computing Science major requires a total of 44 to 48 hours of Computer Science coursework, depending on concentration, which includes 26 hours of CS required courses and 19 to 22 hours of coursework, depending on concentration. General degree requirements must also be met. The 44 to 48 hours of coursework for the Computing Science major should be distributed as follows (Note: CSTE courses may not be used to meet this requirement):

Required Courses
COSC 1436Programming Fundamentals I4
COSC 1437Programming Fundamentals II4
COSC 2329Comp Organiz & Machine Lang3
COSC 3318Data Base Management Systems3
COSC 3319Data Structures and Algorithms3
COSC 4318Advanced Language Concepts3
COSC 4319Software Engineering3
COSC 4349Professionalism and Ethics3
Total Hours26
Information Assurance Concentration (22 hours)
DFSC 1316DF and IA Fundamentals I3
DFSC 2316DF and IA Fundamentals II3
COSC 2347Special Topics/Programming3
DFSC 3316Cryptography and Network Scrty3
DFSC 4317Information Security3
COSC 4149Seminar in Computer Science1
Advanced DFSC Electives3
COSC 3327Computer Architecture3
Total Hours22

Note: The minimum number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree is 120. The minimum number of advanced credit hours for a baccalaureate degree is 42. Students may take free elective courses beyond the hours identified in the recommended 4-year plan to meet the overall credit hour and advanced credit hour requirements.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
COSC 14364COSC 14374
ENGL 130113ENGL 130213
MATH 14202, 34MATH 14304
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3Component Area V3
Component Area VIII3COSC 23473
COSC 23293COSC 33183
HIST 130143HIST 130243
POLS 230553POLS 230653
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
COSC 33193Component Area IX3
DFSC 13163COSC 33273
Degree Specific Requirement: Science64DFSC 23163
Elective (Advanced)3Degree Specific Requirement Science64
MATH 23953STAT 33793
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
COSC 43183COSC 41491
DFSC 33163COSC 43193
DFSC Advanced Elective3COSC 43493
Elective (Advanced)3DFSC 43173
MATH (Advanced)3Elective (Advanced)3
 15 13
Total Hours: 120

Note: The minimum number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree is 120. The minimum number of advanced credit hours for a baccalaureate degree is 42. Students may take free elective courses beyond the hours identified in the recommended 4-year plan to meet the overall credit hour and advanced credit hour requirements.

AppThe Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Computing Science (Information Assurance, IA) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Solving complex technology-related problems.
  • Applying theoretical principles to the software engineering process.
  • Technical communication.
  • System and network defense.