Computer Science and Physics Double Major
Since the dawn of the computer age, Computer Science and Physics have been closely intertwined disciplines. Computational physics is now an established branch of physics, complementing experiment and theory, that develops and applies computer modeling approaches to the solution of a wide range of physical problems. At the same time, software development (e.g., for graphics and data mining applications) is increasingly inspired by physics. Computer modeling, including simulation and numerical analysis, is an essential component of modern research and development. Correspondingly, the demand is growing for scientists with multidisciplinary training that combines fundamental knowledge of physics and computer science with practical skills in programming and computation. The Computer Science and Physics double major program is designed to allow students to complete the core requirements of both majors in a four-year degree. Graduates of the program will have a unique background qualifying them to work in industry or to pursue graduate studies in physics, computer science, engineering, or other technical fields.
Major Requirements
Major: Computer Science & Physics
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A dynamic list of approved general education courses offered by term is available on the NDSU General Education Requirements website.
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, if applicable.
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
| Skills For Academic Success (Also offered with the following prefixes: ABEN, AGRI, BUSN, HD&E, ME, NURS, PHRM) | |
| College Composition I | |
| College Composition II | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
† | |
Total Credits | 40 |
College Requirements
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
Major Requirements
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all CSCI, PHYS, and AST prefix courses.
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
CSCI 160 | Computer Science I | 4 |
CSCI 161 | Computer Science II | 4 |
CSCI 213 | Modern Software Development | 3 |
CSCI 336 | Theoretical Computer Science | 3 |
CSCI 366 | Database Systems | 3 |
CSCI 372 | Comparative Programming Languages | 3 |
CSCI 374 | Computer Organization and Architechure | 3 |
CSCI 467 | Algorithm Analysis | 3 |
CSCI 474 | Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| | 6 |
PHYS 171 | Introductory Projects in Physics | 1 |
PHYS 251 & 251L | University Physics I and University Physics I Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S) | 5 |
PHYS 251R | University Physics I Recitation | 1 |
PHYS 252 & 252L | University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S) | 5 |
PHYS 252R | University Physics II Recitation | 1 |
PHYS 350 | Modern Physics | 3 |
PHYS 355 | Classical Mechanics (or PHY 330: Internediate Mechanics at MSUM) | 3 |
PHYS 360 | Modern Physics II | 3 |
PHYS 361 | Electromagnetic Theory (or PHY 370: Electromagnetic Theory at MSUM) | 3 |
PHYS 370 | Introduction to Computational Physics | 3 |
PHYS 462 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | 3 |
PHYS 485 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
PHYS 486 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3 |
| 6 |
| Research For Undergraduates | |
| Optics for Scientists & Engineers | |
| Lasers for Scientists and Engineers | |
| Elements of Photonics | |
| Statistical Mechanics | |
| Condensed Matter Physics | |
| Physics Projects (If not used to satisfy project requirement) | |
| | |
MATH 129 | Basic Linear Algebra | 3 |
or MATH 429 | Linear Algebra |
MATH 165 | Calculus I (May satisfy general education category R) | 4 |
MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
MATH 270 | Introduction to Abstract Mathematics | 3 |
CSCI 445 | Software Projects Capstone | 3 |
or PHYS 489 | Physics Projects |
Total Credits | 102 |
Program Notes
- Except for courses offered only as pass/fail grading, no course may be taken Pass/Fail.