Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

BSCS Quick Facts

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is a professional degree program offered through the School of Engineering. The BSCS is accredited by the ABET, Inc. Computing Accreditation Commision (CAC).

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 BSCS has the following course requirements. See the BSCS Four-Year Plan of Study for an example of how these courses fit in four academic years of study. Students should complete the BSCS 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 2021.

Computer Science (46 credit hours)

• CSci 111, Computer Science I
• CSci 112, Computer Science II
• CSci 211, Computer Science III
• CSci 223, Computer Organization and Assembly Language
• CSci 300, Social Responsibility in Computer Science
• CSci 311, Models of Computation
• CSci 387, Software Design and Development
• CSci 423, Introduction to Operating Systems
• CSci 433, Algorithm and Data Structure Analysis
• CSci 450, Organization of Programming Languages
• CSci 487, Senior Project
• Choose exactly ONE of the following emphasis options, each requiring an additional 15 credit hours of approved 300-level or higher computer science courses

Note: The Computer Security and Data Science emphases were added in Fall 2020.

Electrical Engineering (4 credit hours)

• El E 235, Principles of Digital Systems
• El E 236, Digital Systems Laboratory I

Mathematics (18 credit hours)

• Math 261, Unified Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
• Math 262, Unified Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
• One course chosen from the following:
  • Math 263, Unified Calculus and Analytical Geometry III
  • Math 319, Introduction to Linear Algebra
• Math 301, Discrete Mathematics
• Math 302, Applied Modern Algebra (continuation of Math 301)
• Math 375, Introduction to Statistical Methods

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 I
    • Phys 221, Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering I
    • Phys 212, Physics for Science and Engineering II
    • Phys 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 (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.

Technical Electives or Optional Minor (18 credit hours)

• 18 credit hours of course work for an approved minor or other technical electives chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor

Note: BSCS students may optionally choose to complete any minor accepted by the School of Engineering. They cannot choose the standard Mathematics minor but may choose the special Mathematics for Engineering minor. They also cannot choose the Computer Science or Data Science minors or the Computing emphasis on Digital Media Studies minor because these overlap with the computer science major courses.

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, or, alternatively, 3 credit hours of the humanities and 3 hours of social science requirements in the School of Engineering general education requirements.

Literature (3 credit hours)

• 3 credit hours of English literature survey chosen from Eng 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)

Humanities (3 credit hours)

• 3 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)

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.

Additional General Education (3 credit hours)

• 3 additional credit hours of fine arts, languages (modern, Greek, or Latin), or humanities.

Note: Modern or ancient language courses include courses in Ancient Greek (Gr), Arabic (Arab), Chinese (Chin), French (Fr), German (Germ), Italian (Ital), Japanese (Japn), Korean (Kor), Latin (Lat), Portuguese (Port), Russian (Russ), Spanish (Span), and Swahili (Swa).

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 127 credit hours that satisfy the above degree requirements
• Complete at least one-third of the credit hours submitted for the degree (e.g., 43 of 127) in courses at the 300-level or higher
• Complete at least one-fourth of the credit hours submitted for the degree (e.g., 32 of 127) 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 major
3.25 minimum GPA
90 completed credit hours as an undergraduate

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