Mar 28, 2024  
2020/2021 University Catalog 
    
2020/2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science


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OFFICE: Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science 413
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6191
WEBSITE: http://www.cs.sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Information

Faculty

Emeritus: Anantha, Baase-Mayers, Beck, Carroll, Donald, Lane, Marovac, Riggins, Root, Stewart, Tarokh, Vinge, Vuskovic
Chair: Ren
Professors: Edwards, Ren, Roch, Xie
Associate Professors: Eckberg, Liu, Wang, Whitney
Assistant Professors: Song, Vu, Xu
Lecturers: Bajic, Kraft

The Major

Computer Science is the study of computers and their applications. It is concerned with methods for storing and retrieving information, with the design and use of languages for writing computer programs, with the hardware systems that interpret such languages, and with the theoretical principles that form the foundations of computing. Computer Science includes a wide variety of specialties and application areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, graphics, systems programming, simulation, and computer networks.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern computing methodology and programming practices along with a complementary knowledge of hardware. The first two years provide the basic preparation in programming, data structures and architecture. The final two years are devoted to more advanced fundamentals and specialized electives.

Computers are used to store and manage information, to analyze scientific data, and in a wide variety of other applications. Computing technology is found in an almost limitless number of settings, ranging from automobiles to household appliances to toys. Because of this, a wide range of jobs are open to people trained in Computer Science. Employment opportunities are expected to remain very strong.

Impacted Program

The computer science major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the computer science major, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete preparation for the major. CS 107 , CS 108 , CS 237 ; MATH 150 , MATH 151 , MATH 245  MATH 254 ; and STAT 250  must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better and cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
  3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.


Graduate Information

Faculty

Shangping Ren, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Chair of Department
Leland L. Beck, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus
John L. Carroll, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus
Marie A. Roch, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science
Mahmoud Tarokh, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus
Tao Xie, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science
Carl F. Eckberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science
Xiaobai Liu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science
Wei Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (Graduate Adviser)
Roger E. Whitney, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (Graduate Adviser)
Chen Song, M.S., Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Hoa T. Vu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Yang Xu, M.S., Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Associateships

Graduate teaching associateships in computer science are available to a limited number of qualified students. Application blanks and additional information may be secured from the chair of the Department of Computer Science.

General Information

The Department of Computer Science offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in computer science. The areas in which courses are offered include architecture, artificial intelligence, computer science theory, informatics, software, systems, and systems modeling.

Master’s level research projects are available in the following areas of computer science: artificial intelligence and machine learning, bioinformatics and medical informatics, computational complexity, computer vision, databases, distributed systems, formal languages, high performance computing, multiprocessing, operating systems, signal processing, and web applications. Specialized laboratories exist for bioinformatics, microprocessor architecture, and robotics and intelligent machines.

A master’s degree in computer science provides education and creative experience to prepare graduates for advanced professional employment in industry or government, or for college-level teaching.

Admission to Graduate Study

All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration . In addition, for fully classified graduate standing students must complete CS 560  and CS 570  or equivalent. Classified graduate standing is prerequisite to all 600- and 700-level courses; conditional graduate standing is possible. Students convicted of plagiarism or cheating on examinations may lose classified graduate standing.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials to SDSU Graduate Admissions.

Refer to section on Admission  to Postbaccalaureate and Graduate Study in this bulletin for further details.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

  1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
    • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
    • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
  2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
  3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees .

Programs

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