Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Computer Science (B.S.)


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The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Emphasis 1. Software Development


Requirements in Department (45-48)


Requirements outside Department (11-15)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 1, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: 56-63


General Education Requirements (18-30)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-9)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0)

  • Satisfied by program requirement MATH 206, MATH 211 or MATH 229

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (18-21)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (6)

Nature and Technology (3-6) 

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

  • One additional 3-credit course from any Knowledge Domain.

Graduation Requirements (6-9)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities.  Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (6)

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, EMPHASIS 1: 24-39


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES, EMPHASIS 1: 18-40


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.S. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 1: 120


Emphasis 2. Enterprise Software


Requirements in Department (46-48)


Requirements outside Department (20-27)


Two of the following (6)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 2, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: 66-75


General Education Requirements (15-30)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-9)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0)

  • Satisfied by program requirement MATH 206, MATH 211 or MATH 229.

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (15-21)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (3-6)

Nature and Technology (3-6)

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

  • One additional 3-credit course from any Knowledge Domain.

Graduation Requirements (6-9)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (6)

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, EMPHASIS 2: 21-39


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVE, EMPHASIS 2: 6-33


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.S. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 2: 120


Emphasis 3. Computational Software


Requirements in Department (45-47)


Requirements outside Department (32)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 3, COMPUTATIONAL SOFTWARE: 77-79


General Education Requirements (18-27)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-9)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0)

  • Satisfied by program requirement MATH 206 or MATH 229.

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (18)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (6)

Nature and Technology (3)

  • One 3-credit course selected from approved general education list. Nature and Technology Course List  
  • PHYS 253, a program requirement, fulfills one course requirement in this domain.

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)  

  • One additional 3-credit course from any Knowledge Domain.

Graduation Requirements (6-9)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (6)

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, EMPHASIS 3: 24-36


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES, EMPHASIS 3: 5-19


TOTAL HOURS FOR B.S. IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, EMPHASIS 3: 120


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