CS Undergraduate Advising Guide

Fall 2008 Revision: Effective September 2008

Introduction
Computer science is the heart of cutting-edge computing software. Computer scientiests invent software that enables computers to do new things. They design programming languages, compilers, operating systems, games, databases, computer networks, and user interfaces. They solve complex challenging problems in a wide range of fields that can make a positive difference in the world.

Computer science offers a foundation that permits graduates to learn how to make software work well, how to make it fast, how to make it correct, how to find where innovation is needed, and how to understand the people who will be using it, so as to make it genuinely useful and compelling to people. Much of computer science course work is carried out in teams so students can gain valuable teamwork experience.

The undergraduate program core courses and requirements are designed to provide a strong background in the fundamental areas in computer science, including object-oriented programming, data structures, operating systems, analysis of algorithms, software engineering, and networking. Elective courses allow students to learn more about artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and other exciting topics.

Course work leading to the BS degree consists of courses in supporting disciplines such as mathematics. The BS program is supported by well-equipped computer laboratories. Students select further study beyond the required core courses, opting for either more depth in computer science, for breadth in business and entrepreneurship, or for grounding in an applications area for their computing skills. The BS program culminates with a yearlong senior capstone software engineering project. Within the senior capstone software engineering project students working in teams complete all phases of a software project under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students enter the program by declaring computer science as their major when they enroll at Oregon State. The recommended high school preparation is four years of mathematics, science, and English. High school programming or computer application courses should not be taken in place of other college preparatory courses such as mathematics courses.

Computer science majors are encouraged to participate in the MECOP internship program. All students are encouraged to participate in the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and/or the student chapter of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

Graduates of this program are prepared either to pursue advanced graduate degrees or to seek employment in business, industry, or government. The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Oregon State University offers programs leading to the B.S., M.A., M.A.I.S., M.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D degrees in computer science.

The School of EECS offers an undergraduate minor program for those students preparing for careers in other disciplines where computer science plays an important role. It also participates in the interdisciplinary minor in media communications.

Back to top

Computer Science Major
Oregon State University offers the Pacific Northwest's most innovative and flexible undergraduate degree program in computer science. Students are able to choose between three different options, all of which lead to the BS in computer science.

Every student completes 88 credit hours of core classes. These classes provide a solid grounding in the fundamental knowledge in computer science. These classes are:

• Computer Science Orientation
• Introduction to Computer Science I and II (Java programming language)
• Data Structures (C programming language)
• Introduction to Databases
• Operating Systems I and II
• Analysis of Algorithms
• Fundamentals of Software Engineering I and II
• Introduction to Computer Networks
• Programming Language Fundamentals
• Social and Ethical Issues in Computer Science
• Computer Science Electives
• Elements of Discrete Mathematics I and II
• Statistics for Engineers
• English Composition
• Writing II
• Technical Writing
• Public Speaking
• Senior Capstone Software Engineering Project

In addition to these core classes, each computer science major takes the courses associated with one of the following options: Computer Systems Option (CSO), Information Systems Option (ISO), or Applied Computer Science Option (ACSO).

The Computer Systems Option is for those students who wish to take up computer science as a career, and seek an in-depth understanding of computer science as an academic discipline. This option provides excellent preparation for those who plan to further their studies by pursing an advanced degree (masters or Ph.D.) in computer science, or for working for employers that require advanced mathematics, computing theory, or hardware design. This option is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

The Applied Computer Science Option is designed for students who wish to combine the study of computer science with an in-depth examination of a related field. This option may include a major or minor from that related field. Examples of approved programs include the multimedia minor and pre-medicine. Students must have an approved applied program before the end of their first term in the professional program.

The Information Systems Option includes the core classes in computer science and requires admission to and completion of the business and entrepreneurship minor. Students interested in this option must apply for and gain admission to the minor.

(Note: Completion of the business and entrepreneurship minor positions a student for entery into the four-term MBA program offered by Oregon State University's College of Business. Admission into the MBA or any graduate program is competitive and is based on grades in undergraduate coursework, a score on a standardized graduate school admissions test, and letters of reference.)

Back to top

Pre-Computer Science Program
The undergraduate program is divided into two halves. Lower-division (freshman and sophomore) courses comprise a program of pre-computer science study that a student completes before applying for entry into the upper-division "professional program" of computer science. The pre-computer science courses may be taken at Oregon State University or at any accredited college or university that offers equivalent courses transferable to Oregon State University.

Some pre-computer science courses are the same for students in all three options: computer systems, information systems, and applied computer science. Each option requires specific additional pre-computer science courses.

Pre-Computer Science Courses for the Applied Computer Science Option

Students must apply to the College of Engineering for admission into the upper-division "professional program" in computer science. The College accepts professional program applications in the spring term for admission the following fall term. It also accepts applications fall term for winter term admission.

Most students apply to the professional program during the spring term of their sophomore year, asking for fall admission to the program. Students applying for fall admission must demonstrate that they will have completed all (or all but one) of the required courses in the pre-computer science program by the beginning of fall term. In addition, students must demonstrate that they will have completed at least 80 hours of coursework by the beginning of fall term.

In order to qualify for admission to the professional program, a grade of C or better must be earned in every pre-computer science course. A course in which a grade of C- or lower is received must be repeated. (If a grade of C- was earned prior to Fall 2008 in a pre-computer science course, that course need not be repeated.)

Applicants for admission are evaluated by the School and are ranked according to GPA in pre-computer science courses. The College Advising Guide details the manner in which the GPA is computed for ranking purposes.

Back to top

Computer Science (Professional) Program
The professional program in computer science consists of junior and senior level courses. Enrollment in the program is limited to the number of students who can be served by the faculty and facilities available. Some courses in the computer science program are common to students in all three options: computer systems, information systems, and applied computer science. In addition, each option has its own set of additional course requirements.

The Senior Capstone Software Engineering Project
The Senior Capstone Software Engineering Project is a requirement designed to give students a computer science project like they will experience in the real world, taken completely through the software creation cycle. As a team, the students formulate, design, implement, document, and test the product. The classes CS 461, CS 462, and CS 463 make up the Senior Capstone Software Engineering Project.

Back to top

Graduate School
Graduate school applications are generally made late in the fall of the senior year. Students are usually required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit the scores as a part of the application. Students interested in graduate studies should talk to their advisors and talk to faculty who have expertise in the specific area of interest for the student. The Peterson's Guide and the ACM Guide to Graduate Study are very useful resources.

Back to top

Advising Procedures
The first advising session for each student is typically with the Head Undergraduate Advisor. If you are transferring credits to Oregon State from another institution or another major, these credits should be evaluated at this time.

After meeting with the Head Undergraduate Advisor, students develop a two-year academic plan. This academic plan becomes an important advising tool and needs to be kept up-to-date. Students are encouraged to plan their own programs of study for each term listed on their academic plan. Their plan should fit their own pace and interests within the limits of the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to determine those objectives and to develop an academic plan. The Student Services office is there to advise students on their progress, answer questions about requirements and policies, and help students evaluate different choices or plans.

It is School and University policy that students are responsible for the completion of the academic requirements for a degree. Each student must have an updated academic plan in their student file before they can receive the PIN code they need to register for classes.

The advising and registration procedure is as follows:

Advising during fall and winter term - All CS students who have an updated academic plan in their student file and who are making satisfactory progress towards their degree requirements will have their PIN code emailed to their ONID account prior to their priority registration time. The School of EECS defines what is meant by satisfactory progress as it relates to this process.

New students enrolled in CS 160 fall term will complete their academic plan as part of a homework assignment in that course.

Students who do not have an updated academic plan in their student file or who are not making satisfactory progress towards their degree requirements will have to meet with an advisor in order to get their PIN code. These students will have advising instructions emailed to their ONID account prior to their priority registration time.

Advising during spring term - All CS students must submit a new two-year academic plan to the Student Services office each spring term. Student services advisors will review each plan and make changes as needed. Students who submitted a completed academic plan will pick up their plans along with their PIN code after attending one of the mandatory computer science presentations.

Students who do not submit a new two-year academic plan by the announced deadline will be notified as to when they should submit their academic plan. These students will not be able to pick up their academic plan until dead week which means they will not be able to register until phase 2 of priority registration. This may make it difficult for these students to get into the courses they want for fall term.

General advising

Students are encouraged to see an advisor about career planning and to discuss problems relating to their studies anytime during the year. Advisors may also refer students with special problems to specialized campus resources.

Students with special problems may also seek advice from the School's Undergraduate Head Advisor or from the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the College of Engineering.

Back to top

Computer Science Minor
The School of EECS offers a minor to those students who wish to learn about computer science or who will be entering careers in science or business where computing will be an integral part of their work. Students minoring in computer science must earn a "C" or higher in every minor course and a GPA of 2.25 or higher in minor courses to complete the minor requirements. Students may apply for the computer science minor after completing the lower division required courses with a GPA of 2.25 or higher. Use this form to apply for the CS minor.

The Computer Science Program restricts enrollment in upper division courses to students in the Professional Program. Majors enter the Professional Program based on GPA in the pre-CS courses. Students wishing to minor in Computer Science will be admitted to the minor program only if they meet the same GPA standards as students who enter the Professional Program. The minor student's GPA is calculated using the same rules as those for CS majors. Students accepted as minors must petition to get into the restricted upper division courses and will be allowed to take only the number of classes required to complete the minor.

Students who wish to take CS 311 or CS 372 to fulfill the upper division requirement must take CS 271, which is a prerequisite for these courses. Students who wish to take CS 440 must take CS 275.

Upper Division
12 hours of upper division computer science courses, not including CS 391, 395, 495, 401, 405, 406, 407, and 410 are also required. The courses most commonly taken by minors are:

Back to top

Academic Standards for Graduation
In order to graduate in Computer Science, students must have a C or higher in all required courses in the Computer Science program. (Any passing grade is acceptable for baccalaureate core courses not part of the pre-computer science or computer science program.) Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in major courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in all Oregon State University coursework. Students are required to have 180 credit hours, at least 60 of them upper division, for graduation.

The College Advising Guide details grade requirements for courses taken before Fall 2008 and how the cumulative GPA in major courses is computed.

Back to top

Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the College and the University. Some scholarships are also available from the School of EECS. The scholarship application deadlines are February 1st of each year for the following academic year. For new students, the online Oregon State University application is used for scholarships. For all continuing students and for transfer students beginning in the professional program the following fall term, the College of Engineering online scholarship application is generally made available in late December and is due February 1st for the following academic year. College and School deadlines are announced in class, via email, and on bulletin boards. The Financial Aid Office has information on University and national scholarships.

Back to top

Student Professional Societies
Computer science students are strongly encouraged to join one or both of the student chapters of the major professional societies for their profession (ACM and IEEE). Students joining these chapters receive publications; go on field trips; hear talks from professionals; increase their contacts with the faculty; learn about jobs, interview techniques, and resume writing; and find out about their profession.

In addition to the two major societies, the School supports the activities of students in AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), and AWM (Association of Women in Mathematics), and others. All of these societies are open to all students.

Back to top

Internships
Internships are strongly recommended for computer science students. Such experiences serve as an important part of the educational process and also place the student in a better position when looking for a job after graduation. Job experience is an important qualification for many positions. Students completing internships often return to classes with a greater appetite for learning and a better understanding of academic and career objectives. The first step to an internship is to watch for opportunities posted on the Undergraduate Bulletin Board in KEC 1130, those registered with Career Planning and Placement Office in the Administrative Services Building, and those posted on the electronic bulletin boards. While most of these positions are for students with advanced standing, even first year students qualify for some.

Computer science professional program students who have a GPA of 3.0 or greater may receive academic credit for their internship. These students first find an internship (a paid internship is not required) and then register for from 3-12 hours of Computer Science 410. To complete the course, both the intern and the intern's supervisor must file a report describing the intern's activities.

The most prestigious internship program is MECOP (Multiple Engineering Co-Op Program). This program is a significant and innovative industry-university educational program. Students apply for the program toward the end of their sophomore year. Those students who are selected must commit to two six-month internships during their computer science professional program, and to the resulting two-term delay in completing a bachelor's degree. Each six month internship is at a different company so that students experience different work environments. During their internship the students are given significant job assignments and earn 70% of entry level pay. On average, MECOP students receive starting salaries $6,000 higher than non-MECOP students after graduation because of their job experience. Students may also receive up to 12 hours of general academic credit for their MECOP internship by enrolling in CS 410.

Back to top

Jobs
Job searches are traditionally made through the Career Planning and Placement Office. Further opportunities exist through intern contacts, electronic bulletin boards, and the student chapters of professional organizations. The average starting salary for students graduating in June 2005 was $52,876. The job market for computer science graduates is again strong. Job openings are listed each week in the EECS Weekly News which is archived and an archived jobs list.

Back to top

School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1148 Kelley Engineering Center
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-5501
Send a comment about this web site | This page was last modified on Monday, January 12, 2009
Copyright © 2009 | Disclaimer | Committed to Diversity