The computer science program is designed to provide students with the educational background required for a professional career in the computing industry and for further study at the graduate level. The program includes a core of required courses and an elective program of courses over a wide range of topics. Seniors work in teams to carry out community-based projects during the two-term capstone course in software engineering.
The computer science curriculum at Portland State University is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - Telephone: (410) 347-7700. This national organization sets standards for computer science education defined in terms of curricular content, quality of faculty, and adequacy of facilities.
Admission requirements
Students who are intending to graduate with an undergraduate degree in computer science must be admitted to Portland State University and file the Application to the Computer Science Program with the Department of Computer Science after completing the lower-division requirements. Students with questions should contact the Computer Science Department. No more than 8 upper-division computer science credits (including any approved upper-division transfer credits) taken prior to admission to the program will be counted toward the student’s departmental requirement of 52 upper-division computer science credits (CS 300, CS 305, CS 311, CS 320, CS 333, CS 350, CS 486, CS 469, CS 470 and 20 credits of upper-division computer science electives). Students also must be in admitted status during the term they intend to graduate.
CS Admission Requirements
Applies to students pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science wishing to gain 300-level course admission for Academic Year 2017-18
Terms of Admission & Deadlines
Minimum Eligibility for Consideration
- All shaded/required courses on the blue sheet /course plan must be completed prior to admission. Students may be conditionally admitted if some of these courses are in progress at the time of application.
- Each shaded CS course on the blue sheet /course plan must be completed with a grade of C or above. Each shaded non-CS course on the blue sheet /course plan must be completed with a grade of C- or above. The Cumulative All Attempts GPA in required CS courses must be at least 2.0
- Successful completion of the Programming Proficiency Demonstration.
- Complete Freshman Inquiry or WR 121 and COMM 220 (for students transferring 30 or more credits to PSU) prior to admission.
Admission
- Currently, all students who meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements listed above will be admitted. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds that for which resources are available, acceptance will be selective. In the event selective admission becomes necessary, the Cumulative All Attempts GPA in required CS courses and the performance on the Programming Proficiency Demonstration will be used.
- Students not meeting these requirements may petition the CS Appeals Committee for special admission.
Repeated Classes
- If a required CS class is repeated, all attempts are counted in the cumulative grade calculation that will be used for admission purposes (All Attempts GPA).
Required classes
- All required/shaded courses indicated on the blue sheet /course plan must be completed prior to term of admission.
- Students may be conditionally admitted if some of these courses are in progress at the time of application.
- If courses in progress are not completed with a C or higher, admission will be revoked and students withdrawn from upper division CS courses.
Additional testing/bridge classes
- Proficiency testing is required of students who did not complete CS 202 at PSU.
- No bridge class required.
Pass/No Pass
- All required classes must be taken for a grade (not P/NP) unless they are only offered as P/NP.
- No GPA penalty for a Pass or No Pass (but the course must be taken again for a grade unless they are only offered as P/NP).
Additional Information (exceptions, preferences, etc.)
- No preference given to PSU students versus students who completed required/shaded courses elsewhere.
Department Communication
- 2017-18 admission requirements available spring 2017 (in time for fall 2017 registration which occurs in May 2017).
Continuation Criteria
Admitted CS undergraduate students who are not making acceptable progress towards their degree requirements will be dropped from the program and required to reapply for admission. Acceptable progress is defined as completion of at least 8 credits of coursework with acceptable grades (C or better for required CS courses, C- or better for required non-CS courses), satisfying departmental requirements, over the preceding academic year. Readmission will be determined by the CS Appeals Committee.
Prerequisite policy
Before enrolling in any Computer Science course, students should read the course description and ensure that they have completed all prerequisites with a grade of C or better for undergraduate courses, or a grade of B or better for graduate courses. Students who have not met this requirement or who do not meet applicable admission requirements may be administratively dropped from the course.