Computer Science (B.S.)

Computer Science (B.S.)

Major in Computer Science

What is a Bachelor of Science in computer science?

This program is tailored to students who want to focus on problem solving, with an emphasis on the design of computer-efficient solutions. The curriculum is rooted in fundamentals; students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to enter this ever-changing field with confidence. With a solid foundation in science and mathematics, students also develop strong problem-solving skills and abstract thinking, and many work in laboratories to get hands-on experience building software systems. Graduates of this program pursue advanced degrees or join the professional world in a wide range of positions.

Why study computer science at UNH?

You’ll have access to the UNH InterOperability Lab, where you’ll work alongside top tech companies to test their equipment before it hits the marketplace. All computer science students are encouraged to conduct research through capstone projects and independent studies. Many of UNH’s student organizations are a natural fit for computer science majors, such as the Cyber Security Club, the Linux Club, and Wildcat Women in Computer Science. Plus, the Programming Assistance Center offers walk-in support and tutoring.

Potential Careers

  • Computer programmer
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Database developer
  • Mobile application developer
  • Network systems administrator
  • Software engineer
  • Web developer
Department of Computer Science
Kingsbury Hall N229, 33 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824

Phone: (603) 862.3778
E: office@cs.unh.edu

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  • Jon Snow
    Jon Snow '22
    Building Networks and Success through Innovation Scholars
    When Jon Snow ‘22 learned about the opportunity to build a network, work in the UNH InterOperability lab and begin his college year with a unique experience through joining the Innovation Scholars program, he couldn’t pass it up. A year later, the sophomore computer science major has built a strong...
    Learn More
    Jon Snow '22
    Building Networks and Success through Innovation Scholars
    When Jon Snow ‘22 learned about the opportunity to build a network, work in the UNH InterOperability lab and begin his college year with a unique experience through joining the Innovation Scholars program, he couldn’t pass it up. A year later, the sophomore computer science major has built a strong...
    Learn More
  • 2018 Holloway Winners
    Wildcat Spotlight
    YouScheduler: UNH students created a road map for college coursework
    YouScheduler in the news:  DURHAM – Looking for a way to avoid 8 a.m. classes, University of New Hampshire computer science student Francesco Mikulis-Borsoi reached out to his friend Kristian Comer in October 2017. Two years later, they are generating revenue with YouScheduler, a website that...
    Learn More
    Wildcat Spotlight
    YouScheduler: UNH students created a road map for college coursework
    YouScheduler in the news:  DURHAM – Looking for a way to avoid 8 a.m. classes, University of New Hampshire computer science student Francesco Mikulis-Borsoi reached out to his friend Kristian Comer in October 2017. Two years later, they are generating revenue with YouScheduler, a website that...
    Learn More
  • Computer Science student
    InterOperability, Innovation and UNH
    Dan Kirichok '22 highlights his work in UNH's InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL) and part of the College of Engineering and Physical Science's first cohort in the Innovation Scholars program.
    Learn More
    InterOperability, Innovation and UNH
    Dan Kirichok '22 highlights his work in UNH's InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL) and part of the College of Engineering and Physical Science's first cohort in the Innovation Scholars program.
    Learn More
  • 2018 Holloway Winners
    Wildcat Spotlight
    Scheduled to Win
    YouScheduler takes top prize at 30th annual Holloway competition
    We hope YouScheduler team members Kristian Comer ’20 and Francesco Mikulis-Borsoi ’20 have scheduled some time to celebrate now that they have won the 30th annual Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition and a $10,000 top prize. The sophomore duo developed a class scheduling solution...
    Learn More
    Wildcat Spotlight
    Scheduled to Win
    YouScheduler takes top prize at 30th annual Holloway competition
    We hope YouScheduler team members Kristian Comer ’20 and Francesco Mikulis-Borsoi ’20 have scheduled some time to celebrate now that they have won the 30th annual Paul J. Holloway Prize Innovation to Market Competition and a $10,000 top prize. The sophomore duo developed a class scheduling solution...
    Learn More

View All Computer Science (B.S.) Spotlights

Curriculum & Requirements

Computer science focuses on problem solving with a particular emphasis on the design of computer-efficient solutions. Within a few years of obtaining a bachelor's degree alumni will have:

  1. Engaged in successful careers in diverse areas of software development and will be pursuing advanced education in computer science or related fields;
  2. Applied the full range of core computer science concepts and techniques to fill software development needs of an organization;
  3. Adapted to changing directions of computing technology and used state-of-the-art techniques to confront new problems effectively;
  4. Navigated the complex interconnections between software and the goals and constraints of the organization served;
  5. Participated responsibly in the pervasive and changing role of computing technology in global society as both software engineers and citizens;
  6. Operated collaboratively in a team environment and assumed leadership roles.

The B.S. in computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Recommended Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CS 400 Introduction to Computing 1
IT 403 Introduction to Internet Technologies 4
CS 415 Introduction to Computer Science I 4
MATH 425 Calculus I 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits17
Spring
CS 416 Introduction to Computer Science II 4
MATH 426 Calculus II 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing (Other Requirements) 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
CS 515 Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms 4
MATH 531 Mathematical Proof 4
ECE 543 Introduction to Digital Systems 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits16
Spring
CS 501 Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields 4
CS 520 Assembly Language Programming and Machine Organization 4
CS 659 Introduction to the Theory of Computation 4
ECE 562 Computer Organization 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
CS 619 Introduction to Object-Oriented Design and Development 4
CS 620 Operating System Fundamentals 4
MATH 539
or MATH 644
 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
or Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits16
Spring
CS 671 Programming Language Concepts and Features 4
CS 758 Algorithms 4
CS 700 level elective 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
CS 791 Senior Project I 2
CS 700-level electives 8
Professional Electives 3
Other Requirements 4
 Credits17
Spring
CS 792 Senior Project II 2
CS 700 elective 4
Professional Elective 4
Other Requirements 4
 Credits14
 Total Credits128

Computer science majors must complete the following coursework in computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, and science. (all courses are 4 credits unless indicated otherwise):

Computer Science Courses
Select one of the following:
CS 400Introduction to Computing1
CS 415
& CS 416		Introduction to Computer Science I
and Introduction to Computer Science II		8
or CS 414
& CS 417		 From Problems to Algorithms to Programs
and From Programs to Computer Science
or CS 410P
& CS 417		 Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
and From Programs to Computer Science
or CS 410C
& CS 417		 Introduction to Scientific Programming/C
and From Programs to Computer Science
IT 403Introduction to Internet Technologies4
CS 501Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields4
CS 515Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms4
CS 520Assembly Language Programming and Machine Organization4
CS 619Introduction to Object-Oriented Design and Development4
CS 620Operating System Fundamentals4
CS 659Introduction to the Theory of Computation4
CS 671Programming Language Concepts and Features4
CS 758Algorithms4
CS 791
& CS 792		Senior Project I
and Senior Project II		2
or CS 799 Thesis
Computer Science Electives:
Select one course from the following implementation electives:4
CS 712
Compiler Design
CS 720
Systems Programming
CS 730
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS 735
Introduction to Parallel and Distributed Programming
CS 770
Computer Graphics
Select one course from the following theory electives:4
CS 723
Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems
CS 745
Formal Specifications and Verification of Software Systems
CS 750
Machine Learning
CS 757
Mathematical Optimization for Applications
Select two additional CS courses numbered 690-799 as general electives8
Professional Electives 1
Select two courses from the following:7-8
CS 700-level course
CS 518
Introduction to Software Engineering
IT 604
Server-side Web Development
IT 605
Client-side Web Development
IT 612
Scripting Languages
IT 630
Data Science and Analytics
IT 666
Computer Security
IT 705
Project Management for Information Technology
IT 780
Topics in Information Technology
MATH 525
Linearity I
MATH 526
Linearity II
MATH 527
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
MATH 528
Multidimensional Calculus
MATH 545
Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 645
Linear Algebra for Applications
MATH 647
Complex Analysis for Applications
MATH 736
Advanced Statistical Methods for Research
MATH 737
Statistical Methods for Quality Improvement and Design
MATH 739
Applied Regression Analysis
MATH 740
Design of Experiments I
MATH 741
Survival Analysis
MATH 743
Time Series Analysis
MATH 744
Design of Experiments II
MATH 745
Foundations of Applied Mathematics I
MATH 746
Foundations of Applied Mathematics II
MATH 747
Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
MATH 753
Introduction to Numerical Methods I
MATH 755
Probability with Applications
MATH 756
Principles of Statistical Inference
MATH 760
Geometry
MATH 761
Abstract Algebra
MATH 767
One-Dimensional Real Analysis
MATH 776
Logic
MATH 783
Set Theory
MATH 784
Topology
MATH 788
Complex Analysis
ECE 649
Embedded Microcomputer Based Design
ECE 700 level course
ENGL 502
Professional and Technical Writing
GEN 604
Principles of Genetics
GEN 711
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Mathematics Courses
MATH 425Calculus I4
MATH 426Calculus II4
MATH 531Mathematical Proof4
MATH 539Introduction to Statistical Analysis4
or MATH 644 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
Electrical and Computer Engineering courses
ECE 543Introduction to Digital Systems4
ECE 562Computer Organization4
Science courses 2
One Discovery Biological Science (BS) with Discovery Lab4
One Discovery Physical Science (PS) with Discovery Lab4
Other Courses
Discovery requirements not already covered by required courses 3
Total Credits102-103

Computer science majors must maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all required computer science, mathematics, and computer engineering courses in order to graduate. If at the end of any semester, including the first, a student's cumulative grade-point average in these courses falls below 2.0, the student may not be allowed to continue as a CS major.

The following courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better:CS 410C CS 410P, CS 414, CS 415, CS 416, CS 417, CS 515, CS 520, IT 403

If a student wishing to transfer into the computer science major has any coursework that is applicable to the major, the grades in those courses must satisfy the minimum grade requirements for the B.S. degree in computer science. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all courses taken at the university.

Explore Program Details

The B.S. in computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. 

ABET

Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
111 Market Place, suite 1050
Baltimore, MD
21202-4012
Phone: (410) 347-7700

Student Outcomes in Computer Science

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