Computer Science
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Computer Science |
| Minor: | Computer Science |
| Department: | Computer Science Building 4, Room 223 850-474-3241 http://uwf.edu/computerscience |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 11.0701 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The B.S. in Computer Science (CS) degree program emphasizes analytical thinking and problem solving involving scientific applications. The degree includes the theoretical foundations of computer science in the study of algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, programming languages, and net-centric computing. Concentration areas include intelligent systems, software engineering, and cybersecurity.
The James E. Miller Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science program at UWF is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. ABET is the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology and is among the most respected accreditation organizations in the United States.
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Computer Science must meet the requirements listed below.
A minimum grade of "C-" is required for all major and major-related courses with a cumulative major GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Studies requirements and common prerequisites.
Graduates of the Computer Science degree program will be known for their accomplishments in the early stages of their careers and they should:
- Develop computerized solutions to important problems either individually or through interdisciplinary teams within a global and societal context.
- Professionally and ethically engage in technical or business activity through computer science ability, communication skills and knowledge.
- Engage in continuing professional growth through post-graduate education, continuing education, or professional activity.
- Contribute to the economic development of the Northwest Florida region and the state of Florida.
Computer Science
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
The following courses are recommended to complete General Education requirements:
| Humanities | ||
| PHI 2603 | Ethics in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| Natural Science | ||
| PHY 2048 & 2048L | Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHY 2049 & 2049L | Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Social Science | ||
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Economics Macro | 3 |
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Algebra through Calculus | ||
| Students will be placed on a starting point based on their mathematics placement. | ||
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| or MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | |
| or MAC 1114 | Trigonometry | |
| or MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| or MAC 1114 | Trigonometry | |
| or MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| or MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| COP XXXX | Introductory programming in C, C++, Java, or equivalent language X | 3 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I *, X | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II *, X | 4 |
| PHY 2048 & 2048L | Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab *, X | 4 |
| PHY 2049 & 2049L | Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab *, X | 4 |
| Two science courses for science majors, please choose from the list below X | 6 | |
| Biological Anthropology * | ||
| Descriptive Astronomy * | ||
| General Botany * | ||
| Fundamentals of Ecology * | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I * | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II * | ||
| Biology I * | ||
| Biology II * | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography and Marine Biology * | ||
| General Chemistry I * | ||
| General Chemistry II * | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science * | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science * | ||
| Physical Geology * | ||
| Fundamentals of Microbiology * | ||
| Total Hours | 25 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
- X
A minimum grade of "C-" is required for COP XXXX, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, PHY 2048/L, and PHY 2049/L, and the two science courses for science majors.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-15 | |
| Total Hours | 0-15 | |
Major
| CDA 3101 | Introduction to Computer Organization + | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures + | 3 |
| CEN 3031 | Software Engineering I + | 3 |
| CIS 4592 | Capstone Project + | 3 |
| COP 4710 | Database Systems + | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design + | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I + | 3 |
| COP 4534 | Data Structures and Algorithms II + | 3 |
| COP 3022 | Intermediate Computer Programming + | 3 |
| COP 4027 | Advanced Computer Programming + | 3 |
| COP 4020 | Programming Languages + | 3 |
| COP 4634 | Systems & Networks I + | 3 |
| COP 4635 | Systems & Networks II + | 3 |
| COT 4420 | Theory of Computation + | 3 |
| Choose one group of courses from the following groupings: | 6 | |
| Intelligent Systems - choose two from the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence + | ||
| Data Mining + | ||
| Introduction to Big Data Analytics + | ||
| or | ||
| Software Engineering: | ||
| Software Engineering II + | ||
| Software Engineering Management + | ||
| or | ||
| Cybersecurity - choose two from the following courses: | ||
| Malware Analysis + | ||
| Secure Software Development + | ||
| Introduction to Database Security + | ||
| List of pre-approved elective courses available in the department **, + | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
- **
Two courses must be selected from Computer Science approved upper-level electives. Students should consult with the Computer Science academic advisor, or their assigned Computer Science faculty advisor, for selecting the upper-level Computer Science electives.
Major-Related
| STA 4321 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| Choose one course from the following course list: | 3 | |
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Set Theory and Mathematical Logic | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Computer Science Minor
The Computer Science Minor provides students with knowledge of basic software aspects of computer systems. Fundamentals of programming experience utilizing procedural and object-oriented paradigms prepare students in this minor for software development on a variety of computing platforms. Computer Science majors may not earn this minor.
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Computer Organization | ||
| Microprocessor Applications | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intermediate Computer Programming | ||
| Data Structures and Algorithms II | ||
| Systems & Networks I | ||
| Theory of Computation | ||
| Digital Logic and Computer Systems | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |