Computer and Information Science

Students studying at picnic table.
Bachelor of Science in Data Science

Bachelor of Science in Data Science

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) is a professional degree program offered through the School of Engineering.

The School of Engineering now requires all students to own a laptop. You can find the minimum specifications here. Additionally, more information can be found on our FAQ page.

The BSDS has the following course requirements. See the BSDS Four-Year Plan of Study for an example of how these courses fit in four academic years of study. Students should complete the BSDS Checklist each semester during advising to aid in staying on track for graduation in four years.

See the Course Descriptions page for specific information on the computer science courses.

Note: For the precise degree requirements, students and their advisors should consult the applicable catalog, current regulations, and Degree Audit application. This page describes the degree requirements beginning in Fall 2024.

Computer Science (49 credit hours)

  • CSci 111, Computer Science I
  • CSci 223, Computer Organization and Assembly Language
  • Csci 256 Programming in Python
  • CSci 300, Social Responsibility in Computer Science
  • CSci 325, Foundations of Computer Security
  • CSci 343, Fundamentals of Data Science
  • CSci 356, Data Structures in Python
  • CSci 433, Algorithm and Data Structure Analysis
  • CSci 443, Advanced Data Science
  • Csci 444, Information Visualization
  • Csci 475, Introduction to Database Systems
  • CSci 487, Senior Project

    CSCI 300+ Electives
  • 15 credit hours of CSci 300+ courses.
  • At least two of: CSci 345, 353, 492, 517, 531, 547
    (May take up to two CSci 492 courses of different topics).

Mathematics (18 credit hours)

  • Math 261, Unified Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
  • Math 262, Unified Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
  • Math 301, Discrete Mathematics
  • Math 319, Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • Math 375, Introduction to Statistical Methods
  • Math 380, Statistical Computing and Data Analysis

Science (14 credit hours)

  • 8 credit hours in a laboratory science chosen from one of the following groups:
    • Physics:
      • Phys 211, Physics for Science and Engineering IPhys 221, Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering IPhys 212, Physics for Science and Engineering IIPhys 222, Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering II
    • Chemistry:
      • Chem 105, General Chemistry I
      • Chem 115, General Chemistry Laboratory I
      • Chem 106, General Chemistry II
      • Chem 116, General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • Biology:
      • Bisc 160, Biological Sciences I
      • Bisc 161, Biological Sciences I Laboratory
      • Bisc 162, Biological Sciences II
      • Bisc 163, Biological Sciences II Laboratory
  • 6 additional credit hours of science electives chosen from the laboratory science courses listed above or from Astr 103, 104, Chem 221, 222, Geol 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 120 (except not both Geol 101 and 104), or biology, chemistry, physics, and geology courses at the 300-level and above

Note: Students who take a science lecture course that has a coordinated lab are encouraged to take the lab.

Application Area (18 credit hours)

  • 18 credit hours of course work for an approved minor.
  • Must choose any minor accepted by the school of engineering except data science, computer science, the computing emphasis on Digital Media Studies, general engineering, and math for School of Engineering.

First Year Composition (6 hours)

  • 3 credit hours of writing chosen from Writ 100 and Writ 101
  • 3 credit hours of writing chosen from Writ 102 and Liba 102

Note: Hon 101 and 102 can be used to satisfy 6 credit hours of the first year composition requirement.

Literature (3 credit hours)

  • 3 credit hours of English literature survey chosen from Eng 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, and 226

Social Science (6 credit hours)

  • 6 credit hours in social science chosen from courses in anthropology (Anth), economics (Econ), interdisciplinary social sciences (i.e., Liba 203, 313), political science (Pol), psychology (Psy), and sociology (Soc), and either Hon 101 or Hon 102 (if not being used to fulfill composition requirements.

Humanities (6 credit hours)

  • 6 credit hours in humanities chosen from courses in African American studies (i.e., AAS 201, 202), classical civilization (Clc), English literature survey (i.e., Eng 103, 220-226 not used for the specific literature requirement above), environmental studies (i.e., EnvS 101), gender studies (i.e., G St 201, 202), history (HST), interdisciplinary humanities (i.e., Liba 202, 305, 312), philosophy (Phil), religion (Rel), and Southern studies (i.e., 100-level S St), and either Hon 101 or 102 (if not being used to fulfill composition requirements).

Fine and Performing Arts (3 credit hours)

  • 3 credit hours in fine or performing arts chosen from art history (AH), interdisciplinary fine arts (i.e., Liba 130, 204, 314), music (Mus), dance (Danc), and theatre arts (Thea)
  • Cannot use studio and workshop courses to satisfy this requirement

Note: Acceptable freshman and sophomore courses are AH 101, AH 102, AH 201, AH 202, Danc 200, Liba 130, Mus 101, Mus 102, Mus 103, Mus 104, Mus 105, Thea 201, and Thea 202. Students who have completed 30 semester hours of undergraduate course work may fulfill the requirement with a 300- or 400-level art history course.

Technical Communication (3 credit hours)

  • 3 credit hours of speech chosen from:
    • Spch 102, Fundamentals of Public Speaking
    • Spch 105, Business and Professional Speech

Overall Requirements

  • Complete at least 126 credit hours that satisfy the above degree requirements
  • Complete at least one-third of the credit hours submitted for the degree (e.g., 42 of 126) in courses at the 300-level or higher
  • Complete at least one-fourth of the credit hours submitted for the degree (e.g., 31 of 126) in residence at the University of Mississippi
  • Complete at least 6 credit hours of the requirements for each minor in residence
  • Complete at least 12 of the last 21 credit hours in residence
  • Earn resident and overall GPA of at least 2.00 on all course work taken at all institutions of higher learning
  • Earn resident and overall GPA of at least 2.00 on all course work submitted to satisfy the degree requirements
  • Earn a GPA of at least 2.00 on all course work taken from the School of Engineering submitted to satisfy degree requirements
  • Earn resident and overall GPAs of at least 2.00 on all course work submitted to satisfy the minor requirements

GradSHARK Launch PAAD

Undergraduate students interested in graduate study in Computer and Information Science can get a head start in earning a graduate degree through the GradSHARK Launch PAAD for Computer and Information Science.

Requirements to qualify:

Be a BSCS or BACS or BSDS major
3.25 minimum GPA
90 completed credit hours as an undergraduate

Click here for more information about the GradSHARK Launch PAAD program.