Computer Science

Do you think it would be cool to design the technologies that make computer devices work better? To invent new ones? To help make people’s lives and jobs easier? Then maybe computer science is the right path for you!

As a computer science major at Grand View University, programming courses will be a key part of your studies. You’ll learn how to solve problems by translating a question into instructions a computer can follow to come up with the answers. And you’ll explore what goes on inside a computer when it’s solving a problem.

Wondering whether you should pursue business analytics, computer science, or management information systems?

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Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major, Minor

Format:

Full Time, In-Person

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Why Grand View?

Personalized electives along with a solid computer science core that helps you best fit the major to your personal goals.
Focus on relating the major from a liberal arts perspective to help you use all of your skills to be ready for high level computer science with the ability to communicate effectively in many facets.
Year-long senior seminar that allows you to work on a project of your own choosing and use the skills you have learned in a viable application problem.
Flexibility to double major in another program of interest.

Career Outlook

Computer science graduates at Grand View University are recruited by employers in nearly every industry. Because we maintain strong ties with the Des Moines area business community, students have completed internships for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, The Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo Bank to name just a few. Students have also found opportunities in the financial and insurance industries as well.

Plus, there are a number of unique opportunities depending on your second major (if you so choose). For instance, if you choose to double major in Art, you could get a front-end design career. The possibilities are endless with a computer science major.

Program Details

Course Requirements (44-48 credits)

The major in Computer Science is designed for students with interests in using computation and logic to solve real world problems. The computer science core provides students a foundation of computational concepts with a strong mathematical emphasis, within a liberal arts context. This foundation supports a variety of computing careers or graduate study. The internship and capstone courses help students explore these possibilities.

Prerequisite course:

MATH 121

College Algebra

3 credits

This course will not be counted in computing the GPA for the major.

Requirements for the Major:

Computer Science core Courses

BSAD/CPSC 241	Computer Science I	3 credits
CPSC 242	Computer Science II	3 credits
CPSC 300	Computer Architecture and Operating Systems	3 credits
CPSC 330	Data Structures and Algorithms	3 credits
CPSC 360	Programming Languages	3 credits
CPSC 363	Software Development	3 credits
CPSC 399	Internship	3 credits
CPSC 449	Ethics Seminar	3 credits
CPSC 453	Computer Capstone Seminar Experience II	3 credits

Upon approval of Computer Science advisor, students may substitute CPSC 449 and 453 with a capstone course taken for a second major, if a sufficient amount of computer science work is incorporated.

Mathematics Core Courses

MATH 231 or MATH 212	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I or Applied Calculus	5 credits or 3 credits
MATH 300	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning	3 credits
MATH 340	Discrete Computational Structures	3 credits
MATH 331 or STAT 261	Linear Algebra or Applied Statistics	3 credits

Electives (9-11 credits)

One course outside of CPSC approved by CPSC advisor (applicable to future goals)

3-5 credits

Take 6 credits from the following:

CPSC 210	Human Computer Interaction	3 credits
CPSC 260	Fundamental Programming for Data Mining and Analysis	3 credits
CPSC 310	High Performance Computing for Big Data and AI	3 credits
CPSC 316	Web Application Development	3 credits
BSAD/CPSC 323	Networking & Telecommunication	3 credits
BSAD/CPSC 421	Databases	3 credits
CPSC 430	Topics in Computer Science	3 credits
CPSC 441	Machine Learning	3 credits

The computer science core, mathematics core, and elective courses will be counted in computing the 2.5 GPA required for this major.

Computer Science Minor

Computational thinking is an essential skill in all engineering and scientific disciplines. The minor in Computer Science will give you a strong background in the fundamentals of programming, algorithms, and discrete mathematics.

Upon completion of the minor you'll have the knowledge and skills needed to make effective use of computer science concepts and computing technology in your future career.

Course Requirements (18-20 credits)

Prerequisites:

MATH 121

College Algebra

3 credits

Required Courses:

BSAD / CPSC 241	Computer Science I	3 credits
CPSC 242	Computer Science II	3 credits
CPSC 330	Data Structures & Algorithms	3 credits
MATH 231 or MATH 212	Calculus with Analytical Geometry I or Applied Calculus	5 credits or 3 credits
MATH 300	Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning	3 credits

Take one additional course from:

MATH 340	Discrete Computational Structures	3 credits
CPSC 300	Computer Architecture	3 credits
CPSC 363	Software Development	3 credits

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Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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Faculty

Dr. Matthew Behrens

Lecturer of Computer Science

Dr. Sergio Loch

Professor of Mathematics

Nathan Nissen

Instructor of Computer Science