Computer Science and Physics

Major Requirements

Major: Computer Science & Physics

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

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 major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

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 189Skills for Academic Success 11
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 (May satisfy general education category S)
5
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S)
5
PHYS 350Modern Physics3
PHYS 360Modern Physics II3
PHYS 361Electromagnetic Theory (or PHY 370: Electromagnetic Theory at MSUM)3
PHYS 370Introduction to Computational Physics3
PHYS 355Classical Mechanics (or PHY 330: Internediate Mechanics at MSUM)3
PHYS 462Thermal and Statistical Physics3
PHYS 485Quantum Mechanics I3
PHYS 486Quantum Mechanics II3
Physics Electives: Select from the following:6
Research For Undergraduates
Optics for Scientists & Engineers
Lasers for Scientists and Engineers
Elements of Photonics
Materials Physics
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 I (May satisfy general education category R)4
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 Credits101
1

 CSCI 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take CSCI 189.

Program Notes

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