Computer Science is the study of computers, computation, and information. Computer Science majors at Fisk University study an integrated curriculum that covers a broad range of computer science fields, such as programming languages, computer algorithms, computer architectures, operating systems, databases, machine learning, and theory of computation. Graduates of Fisk Computer Science have a solid foundation in computer software, hardware, and theory. They are ready to step directly into the industry or continue their education in graduate programs.
Program Requirements
Students wishing to undertake a joint major in computer science should obtain advice from the department as early as possible after deciding to pursue the major. A faculty member from the department will be assigned to cooperate with the student's other faculty academic advisors in the construction and execution of an appropriate study plan.
Major Electives
Six to eight hours of departmentally approved computer science electives at the 300 level or above.
Major Required
Cognate Courses
There are five (5) required Mathematics and Statistics courses.
Mathematics requirement
In lieu of the CORE mathematics course (CORE 131), computer science majors take MATH 120 and other prerequisites as appropriate according to placement test results.
Joint Major Requirements
Joint majors combining computer science and another discipline may be arranged. Requirements for the joint majors in computer science, in addition to the University degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin, are:
Major Electives
Departmentally approved computer science electives at the 200 level or above.
Required Courses
Required coursework in computer science
Cognate Courses
Mathematics requirement
In lieu of the CORE mathematics course (CORE 131), computer science joint majors take MATH 120 and other prerequisites as appropriate according to placement test results.
Other computer science courses to complete the minor may be selected, with departmental approval, from among all other computer science courses that are acceptable for the computer science major. Students wishing to minor in computer science should obtain the advice of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department as early as possible after deciding to pursue the minor. A faculty member from the department will be assigned to assist the student's faculty academic advisor with the construction and execution of an appropriate study plan.
Suggested Program Plan for Computer Science Majors:
(Suggested program requires testing into MATH 120 Calculus II. Otherwise, additional mathematics course may be required.)
First Year, Fall Semester
First Year, Spring Semester
Second Year, Fall Semester
| CORE 260 | HUMANITIES: THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| MATH 125 | DISCRETE MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| CSCI 210 | SOPHOMORE SEMINAR | 1 |
| CSCI 241 | DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS | 3 |
| | And | |
| CSCI 241L | DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS LAB | 1 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second Year, Spring Semester
| CSCI 230 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | 3 |
| | And | |
| CSCI 230L | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE LABORATORY | 1 |
| | | |
| MATH 240 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| CORE 240 | NATURAL SCIENCE | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Year, Fall Semester
| CSCI 261 | OPERATING SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CSCI 261L | OPERATING SYSTEMS LAB | 1 |
| CSCI 310 | JUNIOR SEMINAR | 1 |
| NSCI 360 | STATISTICS | 3 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Third Year, Spring Semester
| CSCI 282 | PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES | 3 |
| CSCI 282 | PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES LAB | 1 |
| CSCI 291 | THEORY OF COMPUTATION | 3 |
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| CSCI | Elective | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fourth Year, Fall Semester
| CSCI 411 | SENIOR SEMINAR I | 2 |
| CSCI | Elective | 4 |
| | CORE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Fourth Year, Spring Semester
| CSCI 412 | SENIOR SEMINAR II | 2 |
| CSCI 312 | DATABASE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| CSCI 312L | DATABASE MANAGEMENT LAB | 1 |
| CORE 360 | THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLES | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
CORE Curriculum Requirements
The CORE curriculum is required for all majors.