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Welcome

The undergraduate computer science curriculum is structured around basic courses in computer science and mathematics. The curriculum is designed to allow a flexible plan of study via the mandatory selection of one of three concentrations: distributed systems and networking, software engineering, and computer science and a second discipline. The undergraduate curriculum is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

A concentration should be declared at the beginning of the sophomore year. If the second discipline concentration is selected, an approval form must be completed and approved by the department and the dean's office. Computer Science students are cautioned to verify course descriptions in the catalog noting where duplication of course credits may be prohibited.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) of Computer Science program at Louisiana State University A&M University is to instill in the student theoretical and applied practical skills needed to solve challenging problems using a computer. Graduates of the program use such concepts as abstraction and complexity analysis to solve innovative problems or to orchestrate evolutionary change as applied to the development of software. The program provides a strong foundation such that students can build on their skill-sets as the field rapidly evolves.

Undergraduate Advising

Each LSU student is expected to read and understand his/her General Catalog. This site is intended to assist you in choosing a plan of study and is not a substitute for your General Catalog. Once you are a student at LSU, your online degree audit will be a most valuable tool for viewing required courses, allowable substitutions, and courses not available for degree credit. Also you are encouraged to see an advisor within the department for one-on-one personal advising.

Major in Computer Science


The Department of Computer Science is in the College of Sciences and a student must meet the admission requirements before entering this college. Do familiarize yourself with the degree requirements of the college found in your General Catalog

Check out these Important Degree Requirements for all Curriculum Years

•  A communication studies (speech) course is required and must be from the General Education Humanities list.
•  Two science sequences are required. One sequence must be a biology sequence and the other a physical science. The physical science sequence must be from a choice of Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry or Geology. Two hours credit in lab work is required and the total lab credit must be associated with only one of the two sequences. Science sequences in geography or physical science will NOT count toward your science requirements.
•  The six hours chosen from English at the 2000+ level or HNRS at the 2000+ level must be chosen from the General Education Humanities list.
•  Approved electives are any course you would like to take - with a few exceptions. Sometimes these courses are called "free electives" or referred to as "courses taken for elective credit". See your General Catalog in the introduction section to the College of Sciences, the section for the Department of Computer Science and your degree audit for restrictions on your approved electives.
•  A two-course sequence in a foreign language is required. A single foreign language must be chosen. International students may satisfy the foreign language in other ways. Do see your General Catalog in the introduction section of the college of sciences for further explanation of the foreign language requirement.
Concentrations and Semester by Semester Planning



Enrollment in Two Degree Programs


You must follow the requirements as specified in your General Catalog for dual enrollment.

Often the content of courses in the two departments will overlap such as the departments of computer science and electrical engineering.

For the catalog years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 a student enrolled as a major in Computer Science and in another department is allowed at most 1 substitution from a department outside the Department of Computer Science. For the catalog years 1993-2003 two substitutions are allowed.

You must get written permission from an advisor in the Department of Computer Science and then the College of Sciences must approve the substitution(s). The advisor must determine if the computer science course content has been covered in the other department's course sufficiently.

Also if a student has taken a course in another department similar to a required computer science course, then another computer science course may be taken in its place with written permission obtained from an advisor.

You are cautioned to read the catalog course descriptions because frequently credit will not be given for two similar courses. You are encouraged to choose courses that do not duplicate content.
Undergraduate Minor in Computer Science


Students desiring a Minor in Computer Science must take the total hours required all from the Department of Computer Science. No substitutions outside of the department will be allowed. There are exceptions for Electrical and/or Electrical Computer Engineering majors and mathematics majors.

You are cautioned to read the catalog course descriptions because frequently credit will not be given for 2 similar courses. You are encouraged to select courses that do not duplicate content with courses taken in another department. If you have received credit outside of the computer science department for a course similar to a course that is required for the minor, then seek written permission from an advisor to substitute another computer science course.

Computer Science and a Second Discipline


Newer Computer Science catalogs allowing the concentration, Computer Science and a Second Discipline, and older catalogs require a 15-hour second discipline or option. The fifteen hours comprise another area of study of study excluding computer science. The Department of Computer Science does not require an official university departmental minor but does encourage students to pursue that goal.

The courses should form a sequence meaning the content builds on previous courses, be from the same department (there may be exceptions), and be challenging such as a major would take. At least two 3000-4000 level courses are suggested and the more high level courses the better. You must see an advisor to obtain written approval of your plan of study for the CS and a Second Discipline area.

Click here to obtain a copy of the CS and a Second Discipline Plan of Study Form.

If Information Systems and Decision Sciences (ISDS) is chosen as the Second Discpline, note the following:

•  ISDS requires ISDS 1100 as a prerequisite to some courses and our CSC 1100 cannot be substituted at this time for this course.
•  Courses on the Second Discpline Plan of Study must be from ISDS 3100 and above not including ISDS 3107.
•  ISDS will allow IE 3302 to substitute as the statistics course ISDS 2000. For upper-level ISDS courses requiring ISDS 2001, ISDS 2001 should be taken as the required prerequisite.

Note that the computer science department will not accept ISDS 2000 and ISDS 2001 as a substitute for IE 3302. Do make sure that you avoid courses for which computer science students will not receive credit.
Advising


CS majors should have received an email indicating who your advisor is within the department. This faculty member will be able to help you plan your schedule of classes for the semester.

You may also see Coretta Douglas (douglas@csc.lsu.edu) Room 3170 Patrick F. Taylor Hall for:

  • help with your semester-by semester plan of study,
  • for class enrollment overrides,
  • for special permission of course substitutions,
  • for departmental approval (signature) for your Computer Science and a Second Discpline Plan of Study for the concentration, Computer Science and a Second Discipline,
  • for departmental approval of elective credits for the Networking and Software Engineering concentrations not on the pre-approved list,
  • evaluation of transfer credit,
  • approval to take computer science credit tests .


Appointments are suggested but walk-ins are welcomed.
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Computer Science and Engineering Division
LSU, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
3127 Patrick F. Taylor Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: (225) 578-1495
Fax : (225) 578-1465