BS CSE Program Information
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering offers students a general education in engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics, along with intensive study in computer science.
If you have not applied to the major yet, please see the College of Engineering's Admission to Major page for details on how to apply and eligibility.
Computer Science and Non-Major Course Requirements
All BS CSE students must take the set of eight courses outlined below:
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CSE 2221 |
Software I: Software Components | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 1222, CSE 1223, CSE 1224, or ENGR 1281, or have passed the 2221 placement test |
| CSE 2231 | Software II: Software Development and Design | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 2221 and Math 1151 |
| CSE 2321 | Foundations I: Discrete Structures | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2221 and Math 1151 |
| CSE 2331 | Foundations II: Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2231 and CSE 2321, and STAT 3470 |
| CSE 2421 | Systems I: Introduction to Low-Level Programming | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 2231 and CSE 2321 |
| CSE 2431 | Systems II: Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2421 |
| CSE 3341 | Principles of Programming Languages | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2331, CSE 2421 and CSE 3901, CSE 3902 or CSE 3903 |
| CSE 2501 or Philos 2338* | Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Computing or Ethics in the Professions: Introduction to Computing Ethics and Effective Presentation | 1 |
For CSE 2501, must have credit for CSE 2231, CSE 2321, and GE foundation writing and info literacy course |
*For students who entered the program in or after AU22. Students who entered prior to AU22 or have permission to take the Legacy General Education would take Philos 1338.
In addition to the core CSE courses, which are designed to provide a breadth of knowledge, BS CSE students choose five additional courses. Students have the option to choose these courses independently or to use these courses to fulfill some of their specialization requirements. The decisions BS CSE students must make are as follows:
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes | Specialization Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 3231 | Software Engineering Techniques | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 3901, CSE 3902, or CSE 3903. Not open to students with credit for 5231. | Software Engineering |
| CSE 3241 | Introduction to Database Systems | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2123, CSE 2231, CSE 2321, or CSE 2111 and Math 2366. Not open to students with credit for 5241. | Database Systems and Data Analytics |
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes | Specialization Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 3421 | Introduction to Computer Architecture | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2231, and CSE 2421 or ECE 2560, and ECE 2060. Not open to students with credit for 5421. | Computer Systems |
| CSE 3461 | Computer Networking and Internet Technologies | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2421; or CSE 3430; or CSE 2451 and ECE 2560. Not open to students with credit for 5461. | Information and Computation Assurance, Computer Networking, Computer Systems (elective) |
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes | Specialization Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 3521 | Survey of Artificial Intelligence I: Basic Techniques | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2331 or CSE 5331, Math 2174 or 2568 or 4568 or 5520H, and Stat 3201 or 3450 or 3460 or 3470 or 4201 or Math 4530 or 5530H. Not open to students with credit for 5521. | Artificial Intelligence |
| CSE 3541 | Computer Game and Animation Technique | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 3901, 3902, or 3903. Not open to students with credit for 5541. | Computer Graphics and Game Design |
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes | Specialization Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 3901 | Project: Design, Development, and Documentation of Web Applications | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 2231; and 2321; and 2421, or 3430, or 2451 and ECE 2560. | |
| CSE 3902 | Project: Design, Development, and Documentation of Interactive Systems | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 2231; and 2321; and 2421, or 3430, or 2451 and ECE 2560 | Computer Graphics and Game Design |
| CSE 3903 | Project: Design, Development, and Documentation of System Software | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 2231; and 2321; and 2421, or 3430, or 2451 and ECE 2560 |
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes | Specialization Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 5911 | Capstone Design: Software Applications | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 3231, or 5231; and 2501, or Philos 1338, or 2338; and CSE 3901, 3902, or 3903; and GE writing and comm course: level 2, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. | |
| CSE 5912 | Capstone Design: Game Design and Development | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 3541, or 5541; and 2501, or Philos 1338, or 2338; and CSE 3901, or 3902, or 3903; and GE writing and comm course: level 2, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. | Computer Graphics and Game Design (elective) |
| CSE 5913 | Capstone Design: Computer Animation | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 3541, or 5541; and 2501, or Philos 1338, or 2338; and CSE 3901, or 3902, or 3903; and GE writing and comm course: level 2; or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. | Computer Graphics and Game Design (elective) |
| CSE 5914 | Capstone Design: Knowledge-Based Systems | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 3521, or 5521; and 2501, or Philos 1338, or 2338; and CSE 3901, or 3902, or 3903; and GE writing and comm course: level 2, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. | Artificial Intelligence (elective) |
| CSE 5915 | Capstone Design: Information Systems | 4 | Must have credit for CSE 3241, or 5241; and 2501, or Philos 1338, or 2338; and CSE 3901, or 3902, or 3903; and GE writing and comm course: level 2, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. |
Technical electives
All BS CSE students must choose a specialization option, which will determine a portion of a student's technical electives. Overall, each student must have 17 credit hours of technical elective coursework, of which 9 hours must be in CSE. Some of these 9 hours will be determined by the selected specialization. The remaining 8 hours of technical electives may be additional CSE course at the 3000-level or higher not already counting toward a degree requirement or select non-CSE courses at the 2000-level or higher.
Limitations for certain CSE courses
Students are limited in the number of hours they may take of CSE courses that are graded S/U or that focus on research.
| Course | Title | Credit | Prerequisites and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSE 4251 | The UNIX Programming Environment | 1 | Must have credit for CSE 2122, 2123, or 2231; and 2321; and enrollment in CSE, CIS, ECE, Engr Physics, or Data Analytics major, or CS minor. This course is graded S/U. No more than 2 of CSE 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4256 may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4252 | Programming in C++ | 1 | Must have credit for CSE 2123 or 2231; and 2321; and enrollment in CSE, CIS, ECE, Engr Physics, or Data Analytics major, or CS minor. Not open to students with credit for 2122. This course is graded S/U. No more than 2 of CSE 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4256 may be counted toward technical electives. No more than 2 of CSE 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4256 may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4253 | Programming in C# | 1 | Must have credit for CSE 2122, 2123, or 2231; and 2321; and enrollment in CSE, CIS, ECE, Engr Physics, or Data Analytics major, or CS minor. This course is graded S/U. No more than 2 of CSE 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4256 may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4256 | Programming in Python | 1 | Must have credit for CSE 2122, 2123, or 2231; and 2321; and enrollment in CSE, CIS, ECE, Engr Physics, or Data Analytics major, or CS minor. This course is grades S/U. No more than 2 of CSE 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4256 may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4193 | Individual Studies in Computer Science and Engineering | up to 2 | Must have permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U. No more than 6 hours total of CSE 4193, 4998, and 4999 combined may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4998 | Undergraduate Research in Computer Science and Engineering | up to 3 | Permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U. No more than 6 hours total of CSE 4193, 4998, and 4999 combined may be counted toward technical electives. |
| CSE 4999 | Computer Science and Engineering Research for Thesis | up to 6 | Permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U. No more than 6 hours total of CSE 4193, 4998, and 4999 combined may be counted toward technical electives. |
Non-CSE technical electives
If you are looking to use non-CSE course as part of your technical electives, you are allowed to do so if you met one of the following qualifications:
- The course is a part of any completed minor.
- The course is listed on the pre-approved list.
- You have successfully petitioned for an exception.
In addition to the core CSE courses, BS CSE majors are expected to take the following supplemental courses:
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE 2360* | Electronics for CSE majors | 3 | Must have credit for ENGR 1182.01, 1182.02, 1182.03, 1282.01H, 1282.02H, 1282.03H, or 1282.04H, or 1186 and 1187 and 1188 concurrent; and Math 1152, 1161.01, 1161.02, 1172, or 1181H; and Physics 1250, 1250H, or 1260, and CPHR 2.00 or above; and enrollment in CSE major. Not open to students with credit for 2020 or 2300. |
| ECE 2060 | Introduction to Digital Logic | 3 | Not open to students with credit for ECE 2000, 2000.02, 2000.07, 2001, 2010, or 2017 |
| Math 2568 | Linear Algebra | 3 | Must have credit for 1172, 1544, 2153, 2162.xx, 2182H, or 4182H with a C- or higher, or have completed MATH 1152 and CSE 2321 with a C- or above in both. |
| Math 3345 | Foundations of Higher Mathematics | 3 | Must have credit for CSE 2321 with a C- or higher; and have credit for 1152, 1161.xx, 1172, 1181H, 1534, 1544, or 4181H with a C- or higher. |
| Stat 3470 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | Must have credit for Math 1152, 1161.xx, 1172, 1181H, or equiv, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 3440, 3450, 3450.01, 3450.02, or 3460. |
*Required for students who entered the program in or after AU22. Students who entered prior to AU22 may take ECE 2020, but ECE 2360 is preferred.
In addition to the core outside department courses, BS CSE students must take 8 credits of math and/or science electives from the table below.
| Course | Title | Credits | Prerequisites and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math 2153 | Calculus III | 4 | A grade of C- or above in 1152, 1172, 1534, 1544, 1181H, or 4181H, or credit for 153.xx, 154, 162.xx, or 162.01H. Not open to students with credit for any course 2153 or above, or for any quarter-system class 254.xx or above. |
| Math 2255 or Math 2415 | Differential Equations and Their Applications or Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations | 3 | For Math 2255, must have a grade of C- or above in 2153, 2162.xx, 2173, 2182H, or 4182H, or credit for 254.xx, 263.xx, 263.01H, or 264H. Not open to students with credit for 2415, 5520H, 255, 415.xx, or 521H. For Math 2415, must have credit for Math 2153, 2162.xx, 2173, 2182H, 4182H, 254.xx, 263.xx, 263.01H, or 264H; or 2568 and either 1172 or 1544 (154). Not open to students with credit for 2255 (255), 5520H (521H), 2174, or 415.xx. |
| Stat 4201 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | 4 | |
| Stat 5301 | Intermediate Data Analysis I | 4 | Must have credit for Math 1075 or equiv, or Math Placement Level of R, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 5302. |
| Anthrop 2200 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology | 4 | |
| Biology 1113 | Biological Sciences: Energy Transfer and Development | 4 | Must have credit for Math 1120, 1130, 1148, 1150, or above, or Math Placement Level L or M.Must have credit for or be taking Chem 1110, 1208, 1210, 1610, or 1910H, or permission of course coordinator. Not open to students with credit for 1113 or 1113.02. |
| Biology 1114 | Biological Sciences: Form, Function, Diversity, and Ecology | 4 | Must have credit for Math 1120, 1130, 1148, or 1150 or above, or Math Placement Level L or M. Must have credit for or be taking Chem 1110, 1208, 1210, 1610, or 1910H, or permission of course coordinator. Not open to students with credit for 1114 or 1114.02. |
| Chem 1210 | General Chemistry I | 5 | Must have completed one unit of high school chemistry, and Math Placement Level L or M; or a grade of C- or above in Math 1120, 1130, 1131, 1148, 1150, or above. Not open to students with credit for 1220, 1620, 1920H, 1250, 1610, or 1910H. |
| Chem 1250 | General Chemistry for Engineers | 4 | |
| EarthSc 1121 | The Dynamic Earth | 4 | Must have credit for Math 1075 or above, or ACT Mathematics Subscore of 22 or higher, or Math Placement Level R or better. Not open to students with credit for 1100. |
| EarthSc 1122 | Earth Through Time | 4 | |
| ENR 2100 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 | |
| ENR 3000 and ENR 3001 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 | |
| FdScTe 2200 | The Science of Food | 3 | Must have credit for Biology 1101 (101) or 1113 (113). Not open to students with credit for 201. |
| HCS 2201 | Ecology of Managed Plant Systems | 4 | |
| HCS 2202 | Form and Function in Cultivated Plants | 4 | Not open to students with credit for 300, 300E, 310, 315, or PlntBio 300. |
| Physics 1251 | E&M, Optics, Modern Physics | 5 | Must have credit for Physics 1250, 1250H, 1260, or 1270; and Math 1141, 1151, 1154, or above; or permission of instructor. Must have credit for or be taking Math 1152, 1155, 1161, 1172, 1181H, or 4181H. |
All students need 24 credits in general education. For details of how these hours are broken down, please refer to the General Education page for engineers. OSU's class search engine also features gen ed filters. For instructions on how to use these filters, refer to this instructional video.
Additional Resources
| Autumn | Spring |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
| Engr 1100 - 1 credit | CSE 2221 (need C- or better) - 4 credits |
| Engr 1181 - 2 credits | Engr 1182 - 2 credits |
| Math 1151 - 5 credits | Math 1172 - 5 credits |
| Physics 1250 - 5 credits | GE-Writing - 3 credits |
| CSE 1223 - 3 credits | GE Launch Seminar - 1 credit |
| Total of 16 credits | Total of 15 credits |
| Year 2 | |
| CSE 2231 - 4 credits | CSE 2331 - 3 credits |
| CSE 2321 - 3 credits | CSE 2421 - 4 credits |
| Stat 3470 - 3 credits | ECE 2060 - 3 credits |
| Math/Science Elective - 4 credits | Math 3345 - 3 credits |
| GE-Social/Behavioral - 3 credits | GE-Diversity - 3 credits |
| Total of 17 credits | Total of 16 credits |
| Year 3 | |
| CSE 2431 - 3 credits | CSE 32X1 - 3 credits |
| CSE 390X - 4 credits | CSE 34X1 - 3 credits |
| ECE 2360 - 3 credits | CSE 35X1 - 3 credits |
| Math 2568 - 3 credits | CSE 2501 or PHILOS 2338 - 1 or 4 credits |
| GE-History - 3 credits | [GE-Theme if not PHILOS 2338] - 4 credits |
| Math/Science Elective - 4 credits | |
| Total of 16 credits | Total of 17-18 credits |
| Year 4 | |
| CSE 3341 - 3 credits | CSE 591X - 4 credits |
| Technical Elective - 3 credits | Technical Elective - 3 credits |
| Technical Elective - 3 credits | Technical Elective - 3 credits |
| Technical Elective - 3 credits | Technical Elective - 2 credits |
| GE-Lit/VPA - 3 credits | GE-Theme - 4 credits |
| Total of 15 credits | Total of 16 credits |
Additionally, there is a text-base description of this flowchart designed with screen readers in mind.
Graduation Application
A graduation application must be completed no later than the second Friday of the term before you wish to graduate. For example, students graduating in Spring Semester will be required to submit their applications by the second Friday of the immediately preceding Autumn Semester.
Please note that a change in your graduating semester requires completion of a new application.
POCAT (Program Outcomes Achievement Test)
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering uses a comprehensive set of processes and tools to assess its programs to evaluate various aspects of the programs for the purposes of identifying and implementing improvements. To assist with this, during the graduation term, BS CSE, BS CIS, and BA CIS majors are required to complete the exit test, POCAT. Students will receive emails during their final semester about accessing and submitting the POCAT.
Department and Program Accreditations
The BS CSE program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
The BS CSE program is also accredited the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.
The CSE department has been designated by the NSA as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C).
The BS CSE program with a Specialization in Information and Computation Assurance is recognized as an NSA Validated Cyber Defense (NSA CAE-CD) Program of Study.
For additional details and information of the College of Engineering's various accreditations, please visit the College of Engineering's accreditations page.