San Diego State University

Apr 20, 2024

2023/2024 University Catalog

Computer Science

Undergraduate Information
Graduate Information

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

Faculty:

Chair: Ren, Shangping, Professor of Computer Science (B.S., M.S., Hefei Polytechnic University, China; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Undergraduate Advisers:

Stark, Heather, M.A., Academic Advisor of Computer Science. (M.A., Ashford University; B.A., University of San Diego)

Shen, Ben, M.S., Lecturer of Computer Science (M.E., Shanghai Jiao Tong University; M.S., University of Alberta)

Graduate Advisers:

Wang, Wei, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (B.S., M.A., Xian Jiaotong University, China; Ph.D., University of Nebraska)

Whitney, Roger E., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (B.S., North Dakota State University; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Choi, Hyunjong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., Yonsei University, South Korea; M.S., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea; Ph.D., University of California, Riverside)

Donyanavard, Bryan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara; Ph.D, University of California Irvine)

Homayouni, Hajar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., Kashan University, Iran; M.S., Ph.D., Colorado State University)

Li, Kai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.E., Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Ph.D, Syracuse University)

Liu, Xiaobai, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (B.S., Fudan University, China; Ph.D., Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China)

Parker, Miranda, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., Harvey Mudd College; Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology)

Ren, Shangping, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science (B.S., M.S., Hefei Polytechnic University, China; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Roch, Marie A., Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science (B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Ph.D., University of Iowa)

Tarokh, Mahmoud, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science (M.S., University of Birmingham, England; Ph.D., University of New Mexico)

Vu, Hoa T., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., Ohio State University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Massachusetts)

Xie, Tao, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science (B.E., Anhui Institute of Technology, China; M.E., Hefei University of Technology, China; Ph.D., New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology)

Xu, Yang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science (B.S., M.S., Tsinghua University, China; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University)

Wang, Wei, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (B.S., M.A., Xian Jiaotong University, China; Ph.D., University of Nebraska)

Whitney, Roger E., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science (B.S., North Dakota State University; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Lecturers:

Kraft, Patricia, M.S.

Gappy, James, M.S.

Shen, Ben, M.S.

Emeritus Faculty:

Anantha, Kasi, Ph.D., 1981-2004, Professor of Computer Science

Baase-Mayers, Sara, Ph.D., 1972-2000, Professor of Computer Science

Beck, Leland L., Ph.D., 1980-2022, Professor of Computer Science

Carroll, John, Ph.D., 1979-2023, Professor of Computer Science

Eckberg, Carl, Ph.D., 1962-2021, Professor of Computer Science

Lane, Jo Ann, Ph.D., 2000-2009, Professor of Computer Science

Riggins, L. Alan, M.S., 1999-2018, Lecturer of Computer Science

Root, William, M.S., 1998-2017, Student Services Professional-Academic Related, Computer Science

Stewart, Kris, Ph.D., 1984-2013, Professor of Computer Science

Vinge, Vernor S., Ph.D., 1972-2000, Professor of Computer Science

Vuskovic, Marko I.,Ph.D., 1986-2010, Professor of Computer Science

Undergraduate Information

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 and machine learning, data science, algorithms, computer systems, cyber physical systems, computer network, computer security, robotics, computer vision, system programming, software engineering, and database

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern computing methodology and programming practices and computer systems. The first two years provide the basic preparation in programming, data structures and computer architecture. The final two years are devoted to more advanced topics and specialized electives in the areas of Computer Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

Computers and IT technologies have become the backbone of today’s society, ranging from social media, medical devices, autonomous cars, transportation and national infrastructure, such as power grid and financial systems. 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 all the following criteria:

Complete preparation for the major. CS 150 , CS 150L , CS 160 , CS 160L , CS 210 , CS 240 , CS 250 ; MATH 150 , MATH 151 , MATH 245 MATH 254 ; PHYS 195 , PHYS 195L , PHYS 196 , PHYS 196L ; and STAT 250 each must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better and cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
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

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 artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer security, computer science theory, data science, software, speech processing, systems, systems modeling, and wireless networks.

Master’s level research projects are available in the following areas of computer science: artificial intelligence and machine learning, acoustic study of whales, computational complexity, computer security, computer vision, cyber-physical systems, databases, data science, distributed systems, high performance computing, multiprocessing, natural language processing, self-aware computing systems, signal processing, and wireless networks. Specialized laboratories exist for marine bioacoustics, computer architecture, cyber-physical systems, robotics and intelligent machines, and 3D game programming.

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

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 . Conditional graduate standing is possible. Classified graduate standing is prerequisite to all 600- and 700-level courses. 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

Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
- Students who previously 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.
English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).