Computer Science and Physics Dual Major

Major Requirements

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Credits Required: 120

University Degree Requirements

For complete details on these and other university degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section in the University Catalog.

  1. Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
  2. Complete the University General Education requirements.
  3. Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  4. Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
  5. Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
  6. Students with transfer credit must meet the NDSU 30 credits in residence (#4). Of these 30 credits in residence, a minimum of 15 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 credits must be in the student's declared major curricula.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses along with the administrative policies governing the requirement and the categories is available here.

Category C: Communication12
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning3
Category S: Science and Technology10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences6
Category W: Wellness2
Category D: Cultural Diversity
Category G: Global Perspectives
Category L: Digital Literacy
Total Credits39

Major Requirements

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all CSCI, PHYS, and AST prefix courses.

Computer Science Major Requirements
CSCI 160Computer Science I4
CSCI 161Computer Science II4
CSCI 213Modern Software Development3
CSCI 336Theoretical Computer Science3
CSCI 366Database Systems3
CSCI 372Comparative Programming Languages3
CSCI 374Computer Organization and Architecture3
CSCI 467Algorithm Analysis3
CSCI 474Operating Systems Concepts3
CSCI ElectivesCSCI 313 and/or any 400-level CSCI course that is not already used.6
Physics Major Requirements:
PHYS 171Introductory Projects in Physics1
PHYS 251
251L
University Physics I
and University Physics I Laboratory
5
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory
5
PHYS 350Modern Physics3
PHYS 361Electromagnetic Theory (or PHY 370: Electromagnetic Theory at MSUM)3
PHYS 355Classical Mechanics (or PHY 330: Internediate Mechanics at MSUM)3
PHYS 485Quantum Mechanics I3
Physics Electives: Select from the following:15
Research For Undergraduates
Modern Physics II
Introduction to Computational Physics
Optics for Scientists & Engineers
Lasers for Scientists and Engineers
Elements of Photonics
Quantum Computation
Thermal and Statistical Physics
Materials Physics
Quantum Mechanics II
Senior Project I (If not used to satisfy project requirement)
Senior Project II (If not used to satisfy project requirement)
MSUM AST
Astronomy courses (300/400-level) with departmental permission.
Related Required Courses
MATH 129Basic Linear Algebra3
or MATH 329 Intermediate Linear Algebra
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 265Calculus III4
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
MATH 270Introduction to Abstract Mathematics3
CSCI 445Software Projects Capstone3
or PHYS 488
PHYS 489
Senior Project I
and Senior Project II
Total Credits97

Program Notes

  • Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail.