Major in Computer Science

In today’s technology-fueled world, skilled computer scientists are in great demand.

Whether you’re planning a career in software engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, scientific programming or another tech field, a computer science major from Elmhurst University will prepare you to succeed.

Our curriculum focuses on system design for application in science, industry and information management. We teach you not just the theory of computer science, but also how it works in practice. With the theoretical foundations and case studies of applying the theory to current software and hardware, students “learn how to learn,” so that they can adapt to the certain changes they will face in whatever computer-related professional field they pursue.

In a typical year, almost 90 percent of our computer science graduates find jobs in the field within a few months of graduation. Employers value Elmhurst computer science majors because they’re knowledgeable, hands-on contributors with real-world skills and practical experience.

Major Requirements

All computer science majors must take the 11 core courses in computer science and MTH 151, 301 and CS/MTH 302. It is also highly recommended that a student majoring in computer science take IS 423, MTH 152, MTH 251 and two introductory courses in the natural sciences.

Core Courses

• CS 220 Computer Science I
• CS 255 Computer Science II
• CS 310 Computer Organization and Programming in Assembly
• CS 318 Object-Oriented Design and Programming Using C++
• CS 320 Data Structures and Algorithmic Analysis
• CS 360 Computer Network Systems
• CS 418 Artificial Intelligence
• CS 419 Java Programming and Web Development or
  CS 440 Web-Based Programming
• CS 420 Operating Systems
• CS 435 Concepts of Programming Languages
• CS 475 Software Engineering (CS Capstone)

Sample Course Sequence

The following sample course sequence can be used as a guide in the selection of courses for the major in computer science, but your actual coursework may vary.

Electives

We highly recommended that CS majors choose elective courses from the following:

• CS 468 Internship
• CS 312 Ethics in Digital Technology
• MTH 152 Calculus II, MTH 251 Calculus III
• IS 423 Database Management Systems
• PHY 121, 122 General Physics I and II
• BIO 200, 201 General Biology I and II
• CHM 211, 212 Chemical Principles I and II
• GEO 207 Fundamentals of GIS and/or
  GEO 309 Introduction to Spatial Analysis

The Minor

A computer science minor is available to students who want a strong technology background while majoring in a related scientific or business field. The minor combines introductory studies in computer science with selected mathematics studies as well as exposure to upper-division computer science courses.

Students seeking a minor in computer science must take:

• CS 220 Computer Science I
• CS 255 Computer Science II
• MTH 301 Discrete Mathematics
• Three 300/400-level computer science courses selected with the approval of the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems