2023-2024

Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

This degree, offered by the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, provides opportunities for focused study and opens doors toward a more complex understanding of both foundations of the subject and current thought.

This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET / CAC).

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 33 units of preprofessional requirements
  • At least 62 units of major courses

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 316
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement 

This degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET and provides exceptional career flexibility and a broad range of opportunities in programming and software development. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers are among the fastest growing and most rewarding occupations with an exceptionally strong job outlook through 2024 (17% growth).

Graduates with this degree are well-qualified to work for large software development companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Honeywell, and other software-centric companies and startups. This degree provides a strong foundation for further graduate study in an MS or PhD program; students who are not planning on graduate study may also be interested in the BS in Applied Computer Science program.


Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the degree, students will have the ability to:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  • Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 95 - 96 units distributed as follows:

    • Preprofessional Requirements: 33 - 34 units
      • Basic Science Courses: 7 - 8 units
      • Mathematics and Analysis: 17 units
      • Technical Electives: 9 units
    • Professional Requirements: 62 units


    Take the following 95 - 96 units:

  • Preprofessional Requirements (33 units)

    • Technical Electives (9 units)

      • In consultation with your advisor, select 6 units of additional 200-level or highter courses from the following science and engineering disciplines:
        • AST, BIO, GLG, GSP, INF, CENE*, CHM, CS, EE, MAT, ME, STA**, PHY
        • You may petition the department chair for approval of courses with other prefixes

  • Professional Requirements (62 units)

    A Grade of "C" or better is required in all CS Core courses and CS 486C.


    Required courses must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better. No more than one D is allowed in professional and technical electives. Six units of letter-graded individualized study (CS 485 or CS 497) may be used to meet degree requirements.

     

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    • This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

    • Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Computer Science in Computer Science and start a Master of Science in Computer Science - Non-thesis option at NAU.

    • Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs, as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year.

      Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

    • Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

    • Major Requirements

      This major requires 95 - 96 units distributed as follows:

      • Preprofessional Requirements: 33 - 34 units
        • Basic Science Courses: 7 - 8 units
        • Mathematics and Analysis: 17 units
        • Technical Electives: 9  units
      • Professional Requirements: 62 units


      Take the following 95 - 96 units:

    • Preprofessional Requirements (33 - 34 units)

      • Technical Electives (9 units)

        • In consultation with your advisor, select 6 units of additional 200-level or highter courses from the following science and engineering disciplines:
          • AST, BIO, GLG, GSP, INF, CENE*, CHM, CS, EE, MAT, ME, STA**, PHY
          • You may petition the department chair for approval of courses with other prefixes

    • Professional Requirements (62 units)

      A Grade of "C" or better is required in all CS Core courses and CS 486C.


      Required courses must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better. No more than one D is allowed in professional and technical electives. Six units of letter-graded individualized study (CS 485 or CS 497) may be used to meet degree requirements.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.