Tony R. Martinez, Chair
3361 TMCB, (801) 422-3027
College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Advisement Center
N-179 ESC, (801) 422-6270
Admission to Degree Program
The degree programs in the Department of Computer Science
carry special enrollment limitations. Please see the college
advisement center for specific details.
The Discipline
Computer science, even though it is a relatively new field, touches
virtually every area of human endeavor. It is the systematic study
of the algorithmic processes—their theory, analysis, design,
efficiency, implementation, and application. Fundamentally,
computer science is a science of abstraction—creating the right
model for a problem and devising the right computer
manipulations to solve it.
The degree programs in computer science concentrate on the
fundamental techniques and knowledge used in designing and
implementing information processing systems, with emphasis on
systems software design and computer organization.
The BS curriculum is accredited by the Computing
Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the Computer Science Department find ready
employment in almost any area of computer use.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor’s degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
BS Computer Science
Minor Computer Science Teaching
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
MS Computer Science
PhD Computer Science
For more information see the BYU 2005–2006 Graduate Catalog.
General Information
Majors are admitted on the basis of performance in the
fundamental courses (C S 124, 142, 235, Math 112, 113, Phscs 121).
Personnel in the College of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences Advisement Center will advise regarding the
fundamental and core courses, major admittance, and suggested
General Education. Questions regarding curriculum and career
decisions should be directed to the undergraduate advisor in the
Computer Science Department.
Note: All hours of credit applied toward a major in computer
science must be of C– or better and must be taken within eight
years of declaring the computer science fundamentals major. Any
exceptions must be approved by the department. Students may
choose to graduate under later requirements by updating their
date of entry into the major at the college advisement center.
