Academic Programs Catalog

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computational Data Science focuses on the computational foundations of data science, providing an in-depth understanding of the algorithms and data structures for storing, manipulating, visualizing, and learning from large data sets. Students in the program have unique access to a wide range of fundamental computer science courses in topics ranging from mobile application and web development to theory of computation and fundamental algorithms. Students can tailor their degree to their unique interests and requirements, with an emphasis on computational foundations.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computational Data Science

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computational Data Science.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Computational Data Science major is met by completing Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering 495, referenced in item 3. b. below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements for All Majors in the College statement.
2. The requirements of the College of Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
   1. The following requirements for the major:

      a.	Bioscience (4 to 6 credits)
      	(1)	One of the following courses:
      		BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology					3
      		ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment					3
      		IBIO	150	Integrating Biology: From DNA to Populations					3
      		MMG	141	Introductory Human Genetics					3
      		MMG	201	Fundamentals of Microbiology					3
      		PLB	105	Plant Biology					3
      		PSL	250	Introductory Physiology					4
      	(2)	One of the following courses:
      		BS	171	Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory					2
      		CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I					1
      		CEM	162	Chemistry Laboratory II					1
      		PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I					1
      		PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, II					1
      		PLB	106	Plant Biology Laboratory					1
      b.	All of the following courses (47 credits):
      	CMSE	201	Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I						4
      	CMSE	381	Fundamentals of Data Science Methods						4
      	CMSE	382	Optimization Methods in Data Science						4
      	CMSE	495	Experiential Learning in Data Science (W)						4
      	CSE	232	Introduction to Programming II						4
      	CSE	300	Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Computing						1
      	CSE	331	Algorithms and Data Structures						3
      	CSE	380	Information Management and the Cloud						3
      	CSE	404	Introduction to Machine Learning						3
      	CSE	482	Big Data Analysis						3
      	CSE	480	Database Systems						3
      	MTH	314	Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications						3
      	STT	180	Introduction to Data Science						4
      	STT	380	Probability and Statistics for Data Science						4
      c.	Two courses selected from the following (6 credits):
      	CSE	402	Biometrics and Pattern Recognition						3
      	CSE	415	Introduction to Parallel Computing						3
      	CSE	431	Algorithm Engineering						3
      	CSE	440	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence						3
      	Computer Science and Engineering 415 and Computational Science, Mathematics and Engineering 401 may not be used to fulfill both requirements c. and d.
      d.	Two courses selected from the following (6 credits):
      	CMSE	401	Methods for Parallel Computing						4
      	CMSE	402	Data Visualization Principles and Techniques						3
      	CSE	402	Biometrics and Pattern Recognition						3
      	CSE	415	Introduction to Parallel Computing						3
      	CSE	431	Algorithm Engineering						3
      	CSE	440	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence						3
      	CSE	471	Media Processing and Multimedia Computing						3
      	CSE	472	Computer Graphics						3
      	MTH	451	Numerical Analysis I						3
      	MTH	468	Predictive Analytics						3
      	STT	464	Statistics for Biologists						3
      	STT	465	Bayesian Statistical Methods						3
      	Computer Science and Engineering 415 and Computational Science, Mathematics and Engineering 401 may not be used to fulfill both requirements c. and d.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science focuses on the analysis, design, and development of software and hardware computer systems. Computer Science applies creativity, logic, and computational thinking to solve problems important to science, healthcare, education, business, entertainment, government, and all aspects of modern life. Students develop the fundamental programming skills for building software systems and are introduced to a wide range of algorithms, data structures, and patterns that can be applied to problem-solving. A range of elective courses allows a student to customize the degree in this expansive field to their interests. Complementing these major areas, the cognate provides an excellent opportunity to develop an individually selected area of interest.

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in computer science may elect a Minor in Game Design and Development. For additional information, refer to the Minor in Game Design and Development statement in the Department of Media and Information section of this catalog.

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org under the General Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs Program Criteria.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in  Computer Science

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Computer Science  major is met by completing Computer Science  and Engineering 498, referenced in item  3. b.  below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences  that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements for All Majors in the College statement.
2. The requirements of the College of Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
   1. The following requirements for the major:

      a.	Bioscience - Courses may not be used to satisfy both (1) and (2) below (4 to 6 credits):
      	(1)	One of the following courses:
      		BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology						3
      		ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment						3
      		IBIO	150	Integrating Biology: From DNA to Populations						3
      		MGI	141	Introductory Human Genetics						3
      		MGI	201	Fundamentals of Microbiology						3
      		PLB	105	Plant Biology						3
      		PSL	250	Introductory Physiology						4
      	(2)	One of the following courses:								4
      		BS	171	Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory						2
      		CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I						1
      		CEM	162	Chemistry Laboratory II						1
      		PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I						1
      		PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists, II						1
      		PLB	106	Plant Biology Laboratory
      b.	All of the following courses (32 credits):
      	CSE	232	Introduction to Programming II							4
      	CSE	260	Discrete Structures in Computer Science							4
      	CSE	300	Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Computing							1
      	CSE	320	Computer Organization and Architecture							3
      	CSE	325	Computer Systems							3
      	CSE	331	Algorithms and Data Structures							3
      	CSE	335	Object-Oriented Software Design							4
      	CSE	380	Information Management and the Cloud							3
      	CSE	498	Collaborative Design (W)							4
      	STT	351	Probability and Statistics for Engineering							3
      	Students must have a minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the following courses: CSE 300, CSE 320, CSE 325, CSE 331, CSE 335, CSE 380.
      c.	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
      	MTH	314	Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications							3
      	MTH	317H	Honors Linear Algebra							4
      d.	An additional five courses selected from the following (15 credits):
      	CSE	402	Biometrics and Pattern Recognition							3
      	CSE	404	Introduction to Machine Learning							3
      	CSE	410	Operating Systems							3
      	CSE	415	Introduction to Parallel Programming							3
      	CSE	420	Computer Architecture							3
      	CSE	422	Computer Networks							3
      	CSE	425	Introduction to Computer Security							3
      	CSE	431	Algorithm Engineering							3
      	CSE	434	Autonomous Vehicles							3
      	CSE	435	Software Engineering							3
      	CSE	440	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence							3
      	CSE	450	Translation of Programming Languages							3
      	CSE	460	Computability and Formal Language Theory							3
      	CSE	471	Media Processing and Multimedia Computing							3
      	CSE	472	Computer Graphics							3
      	CSE	476	Mobile Application Development							3
      	CSE	477	Web Application Architecture and Development							3
      	CSE	480	Database Systems							3
      	CSE	482	Big Data Analysis							3
      	CSE	491	Selected Topics in Computer Science							1 to 4
      	MTH	451	Numerical Analysis I							3
      e.	Required Cognate (12 credits):
      	Cognates in the following areas are available to students in Computer Science: business, communication arts and sciences, foreign language, mathematics, the natural sciences, philosophy, psychology, the social sciences, and telecommunication.  Students may complete cognates in other areas with the approval of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering academic advisor. The cognate should enhance the student’s ability to apply analytical procedures in a specific subject area.
      		The cognate requires a minimum of four courses totaling 12 or more credits outside the College of Engineering selected from (1) or (2) below. The academic advisor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering must pre approve both the cognate and the cognate courses.
      	(1)	A minimum of four courses totaling 12 or more credits. At least 6 of the 12 credits must be in courses at the 300-400 level.
      	(2)	Cognate in The Eli Broad College of Business consisting of this specific set of courses: ACC 230, FI 320, GBL 323 and MKT 327.
      	(3)	A sequence of at least three courses in a foreign language totaling at least 12 credits.

Concentrations in Computer Science

The Department offers the following concentrations to students wishing an area of specialization in their degree. The concentrations are available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science. NOTE: Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration may require more than 120 credits. Upon completion of the required courses for a concentration, certification will appear on the student’s official transcript. Students may select no more than one concentration.

For any concentration, 3 credits of CSE 499 Undergraduate Research related to the subject area may be applied with approval of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

The Minor in Computer Science and Engineering is administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. This minor will provide students with a foundation in computer science that applies to many disciplines. This will also provide opportunities for students in industry or government, as well as prepare students for graduate-level study in computer science.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science or the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering or the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computational Data Science, or the Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor must apply to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The minimum criteria for acceptance are the completion of Computer Science and Engineering 231 and 260 with a combined grade-point average in those two courses of 3.0. Enrollment may be limited. Application forms are available at www.cse.msu.edu.

Requirements for the Minor in Computer Science

Complete a minimum of 18 credits in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering from the following: