Computer science is the study of algorithms and software systems: their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation, maintenance, and application. Computers Science Educators seek to advance the fundamental quality of computer science education by having a deeper understanding on how students learn combined with the complexities of the computational mindset that is developed through computer science.
Computer Science Education students will engage in coursework related to both computer science and education, and their intersection, the growing field of computer science education. Through course work, service learning, and student teaching, this degree will prepare students to enter the field as a K-12 teachers. Furthermore, this degree will serve as preparation for admission into advanced degree programs and college level teaching and research in the field of computer science education.
Course work includes the same core foundation expected of all computer science concentrations, and course work specific to computer science education and teaching standards including web development, software engineering, and networking.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the areas of software design and development, computing systems, and algorithmic analysis. Students will have a thorough grounding in the key principles and practices of computing, and in the mathematical and scientific principles of computation.
- Work effectively in groups to develop computational solutions to complex problems.
- Communicate ideas effectively, both generally and specifically, with regard to technology and computing.
- Demonstrate strong pedagogical practices related to education and computational thinking.
- Develop lesson plans related to computer science with artifact generation and statistical analysis of artifacts and student performance.
- Demonstrate the variety of fields in which computer science is applied, with direct knowledge in fields relating to the CO Standards for CS Education (algorithms, data structures, web development, networking and security)
Potential Occupations
Upon completing this program, students can either attend graduate school in computer science, find professional computer-related employment, or directly enter employment as K-12 computer science / technology education teachers.
Students interested in pursuing a teaching license through CSU may refer to the Center for Educator Preparation and the School of Education for general information.
Effective Fall 2023
A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in CO 150 and in all CS, DSCI, MATH, and STAT courses which are required for graduation.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AUCC | Credits | ||
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
| MATH 156 or 1601 | Mathematics for Computational Science I (GT-MA1) Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | 1B | 4 |
| Select one group from the following:2 | 5-9 | ||
Group A: | |||
| Culture and Coding: Java (GT-AH3) Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3) | 3B | ||
| CS1--Introduction to Java Programming CS1--Computational Thinking with Java | |||
Group B: | |||
| Python for STEM | |||
| CS1--Introduction to Java Programming CS1--Computational Thinking with Java | |||
| 3B | |||
Group C: | |||
| CS1---No Prior Programming Experience | |||
| 3B | |||
| CS 201/PHIL 201 | Ethical Computing Systems (GT-AH3) | 3B | 3 |
| Select at least two courses totaling a minimum of 7 credits from the following (one course must be or include the sequenced laboratory): | 7 | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Human Origins and Variation (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers | 3A | ||
| Honors Seminar: Knowing in the Sciences | 3A | ||
| Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Introductory Genetics: Applied/Population/Conservation/Ecological (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Introductory Genetics: Molecular/Immunological/Developmental (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Fundamentals of Ecology (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| Oceanography (GT-SC2) | 3A | ||
| General Physics I (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| General Physics II (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) | 3A | ||
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |
| Electives3 | 1-5 | ||
| Total Credits | 26-34 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| CS 165 | CS2--Data Structures | 4 | |
| CS 220 | Discrete Structures and their Applications | 4 | |
| EDUC 275 | Schooling in the United States (GT-SS3) | 3C | 3 |
| EDUC 340 | Literacy and the Learner | 3 | |
| Select one group from the following: | 4-5 | ||
| Group A | |||
| Software Development | |||
| C++ Fundamentals | |||
| Group B | |||
| Software Development with C++ | |||
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | ||
| Computer Systems Foundations | |||
| Computer Organization | |||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | ||
| Linear Algebra for Data Science | |||
| Linear Algebra I | |||
| Select one course from the following: | 1-3 | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | |||
| Statistics Supplement: General Applications | |||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | |||
| Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics | |||
| Electives | 0-4 | ||
| Total Credits | 26-34 | ||
| Junior | |||
| CS 314 | Software Engineering | 4A,4B | 3 |
| CS 320 | Algorithms--Theory and Practice | 3 | |
| CS 370 | Operating Systems | 3 | |
| EDUC 331 | Educational Technology and Assessment | 2 | |
| EDUC 350 | Instruction I-Individualization/Management | 3 | |
| EDUC 386 | Practicum-Instruction I | 1 | |
| Two CS courses numbered 300- or above, excluding 380-399 and 480-499 | 6-8 | ||
| One CS course numbered 400- or above, excluding 480-499 | 3-4 | ||
| Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
| Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30-33 | ||
| Senior | |||
| EDCT 465 | Methods and Materials in Technology Education | 3 | |
| EDCT 485 | Student Teaching | 4A,4B,4C | 11 |
| EDUC 450 | Instruction II-Standards and Assessment | 4 | |
| EDUC 486E | Practicum: Instruction II | 1 | |
| EDUC 493A | Seminar: Professional Relations | 1 | |
| CS Education Standards: Select 2 courses from the following | 7-8 | ||
| Modern Web Applications | |||
| Object-Oriented Design | |||
| Database Systems | |||
| Computer Networks and the Internet | |||
| Electives4 | 0-3 | ||
| Total Credits | 27-31 | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||
- 1
MATH 156 recommended for computer science majors who do not already have MATH 160 credit.
- 2
Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.
- 3
CS 192 or other seminar course is a recommended elective for incoming, first semester, students.
- 4
Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
To prepare for first semester: The curriculum for the Computer Science major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre-calculus requirements in the first semester. All students must maintain a C (2.000) or better in CO 150 and in all CS, DSCI, MATH, and STAT courses which are required for graduation.4
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
| First course in Group A, B, or C (See options on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 3 | |||
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | X | 1C | 3 | ||
| Department Approved Science (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 3A | 3 | ||
| Electives | X | 1-5 | |||
| MATH 124 and MATH 126 may be necessary for some students to fulfill pre-calculus requirements. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 13-17 | ||||
| Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CS 201/PHIL 201 | Ethical Computing Systems (GT-AH3) | X | 3B | 3 | |
| MATH 156 or 160 | Mathematics for Computational Science I (GT-MA1) Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) | X | 1B | 4 | |
| Remaining course(s) from Group A, B, or C (See options on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 2-6 | |||
| Department Approved Science with Lab (See list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 3A | 4 | ||
| Electives | X | 0-2 | |||
| CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2 with a grade of C or better. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 13-17 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CS 165 | CS2--Data Structures | X | 4 | ||
| CS 220 | Discrete Structures and their Applications | X | 4 | ||
| EDUC 275 | Schooling in the United States (GT-SS3) | X | 3C | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | X | 1-3 | |||
| Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods | |||||
| Statistics Supplement: General Applications | |||||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | |||||
| Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics | |||||
| Electives | X | 0-2 | |||
| Total Credits | 12-16 | ||||
| Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| EDUC 340 | Literacy and the Learner | X | 3 | ||
| Select one group from the following: | X | 4-5 | |||
| Group A | |||||
| Software Development | |||||
| C++ Fundamentals | |||||
| Group B | |||||
| Software Development with C++ | |||||
| Select one course from the following: | X | 4 | |||
| Computer Systems Foundations | |||||
| Computer Organization | |||||
| Select one course from the following: | X | 3-4 | |||
| Linear Algebra for Data Science | |||||
| Linear Algebra I | |||||
| Elective | 0-2 | ||||
| CS 165 and CS 220 and CS 270 must be completed by the end of Semester 4. | X | ||||
| MATH 156 or MATH 160 and MATH 369 or DSCI 369 must be completed by the end of Semester 4. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 14-18 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CS 314 | Software Engineering | X | 4A,4B | 3 | |
| CS 370 | Operating Systems | X | 3 | ||
| EDUC 331 | Educational Technology and Assessment | X | 2 | ||
| Advanced Writing | X | 2 | 3 | ||
| Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
| CS 253 must be completed by the end of Semester 5. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 14 | ||||
| Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| CS 320 | Algorithms--Theory and Practice | X | 3 | ||
| EDUC 350 | Instruction I-Individualization/Management | X | 3 | ||
| EDUC 386 | Practicum-Instruction I | X | 1 | ||
| Two CS courses numbered 300- or above, excluding 380-399 and 480-499 | X | 6-8 | |||
| One CS course numbered 400- or above, excluding 480-499 | X | 3-4 | |||
| CS 314 and CS 320 and CS 370 must be completed by the end of Semester 6. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 16-19 | ||||
| Senior | |||||
| Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| EDCT 465 | Methods and Materials in Technology Education | X | 3 | ||
| EDUC 450 | Instruction II-Standards and Assessment | X | 4 | ||
| EDUC 486E | Practicum: Instruction II | X | 1 | ||
| Two CS Education Standards Courses (See CS Education Standards Course List on Concentration Requirements tab) | X | 7-8 | |||
| Total Credits | 15-16 | ||||
| Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
| EDCT 485 | Student Teaching | X | 4A,4B,4C | 11 | |
| EDUC 493A | Seminar: Professional Relations | X | 1 | ||
| Electives | X | 0-3 | |||
| The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
| Total Credits | 12-15 | ||||
| Program Total Credits: | 120 | ||||