B.S. in Computer Science
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science includes courses in software development, computer organization, database systems, and software engineering. The program provides a blend of theory and applications that prepare students for a variety of computer science and software engineering positions in scientific and business fields, and lays the foundation for graduate studies in computer science and software engineering. The Computer Science program allows students interested in this area of computing to complement their computing knowledge with one other application area chosen from the different areas of concentration.
In a few years of completing their undergraduate degree, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science:
- Have established themselves in successful computing careers in aviation, aerospace, and related fields and/or are pursuing advanced degrees.
- Are serving society and their professions as involved and responsible citizens, leaders, and role models.
- Are problem solvers, systems thinkers, and innovators.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
There are two Areas of Concentration (AOC) to choose from: Standard Track and Cybersecurity Engineering. The courses in the AOC allow students to broaden their general education or pursue specific interests. Upper-level courses involve students in team projects that emphasize industrial processes and practices.
Standard Track
The Computer Science degree may be attained without selecting an Area of Concentration. This option is designed to fulfill the requirements of a traditional computer science program while producing graduates who are able to succeed in a wide range of employment situations.
Cybersecurity Engineering Area of Concentration
The Computer Science degree with an Area of Concentration in Cybersecurity Engineering produces graduates who have solid knowledge of computer science and cybersecurity. The curriculum emphasizes securing and defending networks and communications through secure system design and implementation. Graduates will have a very strong computer science core followed by a strong core in cybersecurity engineering and will be ready to work in a wide range of institutions belonging to government or industry.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree can be earned in eight semesters assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. Successful completion of a minimum of 120 - 122 credit hours is required, depending on Area of Concentration. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is needed for all required CEC, CS, EE, SE and EGR courses that fulfill any degree requirement.
Students entering this program should have demonstrated a competence in Mathematics and Science (preferably Physics). They should be prepared to enter Calculus I, having demonstrated proficiency in Algebra and Trigonometry. Students can prepare for this program by taking MA 143 before taking MA 241.
The Computer Science program is designed to prepare students to work as part of a team on the development of software systems. Software engineering concepts are integrated through the curriculum. The curriculum includes courses in general education, math, science, and computing. The latter is divided into computing fundamentals, advanced concepts, applied computing, and software engineering. In addition, a student is may select an area of concentration in a domain area of interest.
Students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have prerequisites and/or corequisites (check the course descriptions before registering for classes to ensure requisite sequencing).
See the Common Year One outline in the Engineering Fundamentals Program Introduction. CS 223 is a required course for this degree program.
General Education Requirements
For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.
| Communication Theory & Skills (COM 122, COM 219, COM 221) | 9 | |
| Lower-Level Humanities * | 3 | |
| Lower-Level Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences * | 3 | |
| Computer Science (CS 223) | 3 | |
| Mathematics (MA 241 & MA 242) | 8 | |
| Physical and Life Sciences - one course must include a lab * | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Computer Science Core
| Professional Preparation | ||
| EGR 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 2 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Computer Engineering | ||
| CEC 220 | Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| CEC 222 | Digital Circuit Design Laboratory | 1 |
| CEC 320 | Microprocessor Systems | 3 |
| CEC 322 | Microprocessor Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| CEC 470 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Computer Science | ||
| CS 222 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| CS 225L | Computer Science II Laboratory | 0 |
| CS 303 | Cryptography and Network Security | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 317 | Files and Database Systems | 3 |
| CS 332 | Organization of Programming Languages | 3 |
| CS 344 | C Programming and UNIX | 3 |
| CS 362 | Computing Theory | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 432 | Information and Computer Security | 3 |
| CS 462 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 490 | Computer Science Capstone Design I | 3 |
| CS 491 | Computer Science Capstone Design II | 3 |
| Software Engineering | ||
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Standard Track
| Computer Science | ||
| CS 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| Required Electives | ||
| Open Elective | 9 | |
| Specified Electives *** | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Cybersecurity Engineering AOC
| Computer Science | ||
| CS 426 | Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CS 427 | System Exploitation and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CS 428 | Applied Cryptography | 3 |
| Cybersecurity | ||
| CYB 155 | Foundations of Information Security | 3 |
| CYB 465 | Cybercrime and Cyberlaw | 3 |
| Required Electives | ||
| 300/400 Electives ** | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| * | Students may satisfy the science requirements by choosing one of the course sequences identified below. |
| ** | 300/400 level elective courses with the approval of the program coordinator. |
| *** | Approved by Program Coordinator |
B.S in Computer Science – Cybersecurity AOC
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the Common Year One outline in the College of Engineering introduction. | 32-33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 32.0-33.0 | |
| Year Two | ||
| CEC 220 | Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| CS 222 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II (4 credits lecture, 0 credit laboratory) | 4 |
or COM 219
|
Speech | |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
or MA 222
|
Business Statistics | |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3-4 |
or CHM 140
|
Chemistry for Engineers | |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
or PS 113L
|
Introductory Physics I Laboratory | |
or PS 117L
|
Introductory Physics II Lab | |
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices (with Lab) | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| CS 344 | C Programming and UNIX | 3 |
| CEC 320 | Microprocessor Systems | 3 |
| CEC 322 | Microprocessor Systems Laboratory | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0-31.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| CS 303 | Cryptography and Network Security | 3 |
| CS 317 | Files and Database Systems | 3 |
| CS 332 | Organization of Programming Languages | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CYB 155 | Foundations of Information Security | 3 |
| CYB 465 | Cybercrime and Cyberlaw | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 300/400 Level Electives | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| CS 426 | Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CS 432 | Information and Computer Security | 3 |
| CEC 470 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 490 | Computer Science Capstone Design I | 3 |
| CS 491 | Computer Science Capstone Design II | 3 |
| CS 427 | System Exploitation and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CS 428 | Applied Cryptography | 3 |
| CEC/CS/SE/SYS Upper Level Electives | 6 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 27.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 119.0-121.0 | |
BS in Computer Science – Standard Track
Suggested Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| See the Common Year One outline in the College of Engineering introduction. | 32-33 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 32.0-33.0 | |
| Year Two | ||
| CEC 220 | Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| CS 222 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II (4 credits lecture, 0 credit laboratory) | 3-4 |
or COM 219
|
Speech | |
| MA 412 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
or MA 222
|
Business Statistics | |
| PS 250 | Physics for Engineers III | 3-4 |
or CHM 140
|
Chemistry for Engineers | |
| PS 253 | Physics Laboratory for Engineers | 1 |
or PS 113L
|
Introductory Physics I Laboratory | |
or PS 117L
|
Introductory Physics II Lab | |
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices (with Lab) | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| CS 344 | C Programming and UNIX | 3 |
| MA 348 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| Specified Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0-33.0 | |
| Year Three | ||
| CEC 470 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 317 | Files and Database Systems | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 332 | Organization of Programming Languages | 3 |
| SE 320 | Software Construction | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| MA 300/400 level Electives | 6 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Specified Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Year Four | ||
| SE 420 | Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 490 | Computer Science Capstone Design I | 3 |
| CS 491 | Computer Science Capstone Design II | 3 |
| CEC/CS/SE Upper Level Electives | 6 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 300/400 level Electives | 3 | |
| Specified Electives | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 27.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 122 | |