Major code BS7260

The computer science program is administered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The School is the beneficiary of a major endowment from the late Dr. C. Paul Stocker, an electrical engineering alumnus. This endowment provides support for facilities and a level of excellence surpassed by few other electrical engineering and computer science departments in the nation. Its laboratories and offices are located in Stocker Center and the Convocation Center. The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S) degree through the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, which is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4014— telephone: 410.347.7000.

Computer science involves the design, development, analysis, and maintenance of the computer software that controls complex computer systems and networks. Computer scientists work with all aspects of computer software, including graphics, multimedia, the World Wide Web, e-mail, compilers, software engineering, artificial intelligence, theory of computer algorithms, operating systems, database systems, and Internet applications.

While writing programs is an important function for computer scientists, they do much more than that. They analyze the needs of software users, develop algorithms and interfaces to meet those needs, and work in small groups to design software components. They must be proficient at problem solving, mathematical reasoning, logical thinking, and interpersonal communication. The computer science program at Ohio University, because of its strong ties with mathematics and engineering, emphasizes both the mathematical and the practical components of computer science.

The computer science program has three major objectives for its undergraduate students:

• Depth and Breadth: Produce graduates that will have the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge necessary to be productive upon entering the workforce or successful in advanced study;
• Staying Current: Produce graduates that will maintain and develop the knowledge and skills needed to identify, formulate, and solve problems throughout their careers; and
• Professionalism: Produce graduates that exhibit an understanding of the necessity for personal integrity, ethical behavior, and cultural awareness.

Program educational objectives are statements that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation.

Computer science students must fulfill the University’s General Education requirements and the humanities and social science distribution requirements from the College of Arts and Sciences. Students are also required to complete one year of foreign language. Students have the option of completing four technical courses (OPTION B [PBIO 114 or BIOS 170, PBIO 115 or BIOS 171, PBIO 331 or BIOS 325, PBIO 427], E [MATH 340, E E 304, E E 313, E E 314], or G [VICO 462, VICO 314, VICO 361, VICO 371]), or an additional year of foreign language (OPTION L). (See the College of Arts and Sciences for the requirement waiver policy for international students and foreign language completed in high school.) There are 10 required courses in mathematics, engineering, and basic sciences, which provide a foundation for the 14 required courses in computer science and electrical engineering. These courses culminate with C S 456, where students are required to complete a capstone software project. Students take four technical elective courses, in which they can explore areas of computer science at an advanced level. During the course of their program, students work with several programming languages using both personal computers and UNIX workstations.

Computer science majors must complete 192 hours of coursework for an average of 16 hours a quarter over four years of undergraduate study. Credit earned in approved internship or co-op programs may be applied toward graduation requirements.

Due to the prerequisite requirements of OPTION E, students following that option must take PHYS 251, PHYS 252, and PHYS 253. Students following OPTIONS B, G, or L may take either physics (PHYS 2251, 252, and 253) or chemistry (CHEM 151, 152, 153, or 123), as their science sequence. Example programs of study are provided below for options E and L.