The undergraduate program in computer science is an interdisciplinary program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The program is designed to provide both an academic and professional orientation.
General admission requirements for the undergraduate program are the same as those of the university and the School of Engineering and include three to five units of mathematics and one unit of science (biology, chemistry or physics) together with satisfactory scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Achievement Tests. The requirement for the degree is 128 units. A cumulative scholarship average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all computer science courses taken in the program. Computer science is a department in the School of Engineering; however, the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in computer science is awarded through the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Candidates must complete the general education requirements of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Completion of CSCI 120 satisfies both the CSCI 101L and 102 requirements.
Computer Science students may take two of the following PDP courses for free elective credit: PDP 111x, 160x, 165x, 225x or 275x.
| First Year, First Semester | Units | |
| COMP 101 | Introduction to Expository Writing | 4 |
| CSCI 101L | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 4 |
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| General education course or foreign language | 4 | |
| ____ | 16 | |
| First Year, Second Semester | Units | |
| COMP 102 | Topics in Expository Writing | 4 |
| CSCI 102 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CSCI 110 | Introduction to Digital Logic (EE 101) | 3 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| General education course or foreign language | 4 | |
| ____ | 18 | |
| Second Year, First Semester | Units | |
| CSCI 201L | Principles of Software Development | 4 |
| CSCI 271 | Discrete Methods in Computer Science | 4 |
| Basic science requirement 1* | 4 | |
| General education course or foreign language | 4 | |
| ____ | 16 | |
| Second Year, Second Semester | Units | |
| CSCI 402x | Operating Systems | 3 |
| EE 102L | Introduction to Digital Circuits | 2 |
| Mathematics elective*** | 4 | |
| Basic science requirement 2* | 4 | |
| General education course or foreign language | 4 | |
| ____ | 17 | |
| Third Year, First Semester | Units | |
| CSCI 301 | Theory of Computation | 3 |
| EE 357 | Basic Organization of Computer Systems | 3 |
| MATH 225 | Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations | 4 |
| Additional science 1** | 4 | |
| General education course or foreign language | 4 | |
| ____ | 18 | |
| Third Year, Second Semester | Units | |
| CSCI 303 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CSCI 410x | Translation of Programming Languages | 4 |
| EE 457x | Computer Systems Organization | 3 |
| Additional science 2** | 4 | |
| ____ | 14 | |
| Fourth Year, First Semester | Units | |
| CSCI technical electives | 6 | |
| General education courses | 8 | |
| ____ | 14 | |
| Fourth Year, Second Semester | Units | |
| CSCI technical electives | 6 | |
| General education courses | 8 | |
| ____ | 14 | |
*Basic science requirement: PHYS 151L and 152L or CHEM 105abL or BISC 106L and 107L.
**Any course in physics, biology or chemistry beyond the basic science requirement or in another scientific discipline. See department for approval.
***Any 400-level mathematics course except MATH 450.
Composition: Expository Writing 111 and 112 can be taken by foreign students in place of Expository Writing 101 and 102.
The Humanities and Social Science courses must be selected from those published in the USC Catalogue and the General Education Addendum consistent with the common requirements for a Letters, Arts and Sciences degree. The student should obtain a new General Education Addendum each semester he or she intends to enroll in a general education course since the courses that can count for graduation as general education courses may vary from semester to semester.
Undergraduates in computer science must satisfy the general education requirements of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences for Bachelor of Science degrees. See the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences section of this catalogue.
Three semesters of a single language and passing the skill level examination in that language or passing the skill level examination in a foreign language.
Four upper division computer science courses.
This program is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within their normal four year career. See the Physics and Astronomy Department section for course requirements.
See the listing under Computer Engineering.
If a student chooses six courses (9 to 18 units) from a prescribed program, he or she may graduate with the special designation Area of Emphasis in Manufacturing Engineering on the transcript. Details are given under Manufacturing Engineering.
Next SectionProduced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995