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Academic Programs

MAJORS | MINORS | BS/MS COMBINED

Bachelors Degree Programs

The School of Computing offers three undergraduate degree programs each containing a strong and common technical core that emphasizes the development of programming and problem-solving skills:

  • B.S. in Computer Science
    [Catalog Information (2023-2024)]

    The Computer Science program is oriented toward the design, implementation, and application of software systems to solve information processing problems. This program is more technically oriented than the Computer Information Systems curriculum. It prepares students for employment in the computer software field or for continued study toward an advanced degree in computer science. 

  • B.A. in Computer Science
    [Catalog Information (2023-2024)]

    The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science is ideal for students interested in acquiring a broad-based liberal arts education that includes a strong and solid understanding of computer science. The curriculum is oriented toward the design, implementation, and application of computer software systems to solve information processing problems. The program prepares students for employment in the computer software field or for continued study toward an advanced degree in computer science.

  • B.S. in Computer Information Systems
    [Catalog Information (2023-2024)] [Additional College of Business Fees]

    The Computer Information Systems degree program is oriented toward computer applications in management-related problems. The program emphasizes functional areas of management, including accounting, production, marketing, and finance, and the applications of computers in these areas. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in areas such as systems design and analysis, application programming, database administration, and information retrieval, as well as for continued study toward an advanced degree.

The programs share a common computer science core but typically differ in requirements during the junior and senior years with different emphases in areas outside of computer science:

  • The BS-CS degree requires more required mathematics, science, and computer science coursework.
  • The BA-CS degree requires four semesters of a foreign language course and a minor.
  • The BS-CIS degree requires business, accounting, and information systems coursework.

All three degrees (BS-CS, BA-CS, and BS-CIS) require demonstration of Advanced Writing and Oral Communication competency through the following:

Advanced Writing: ENGL 3040, 3120, 3140 (preferred), 3150, 3160, or 3303
Oral Communication: COMM 1500, 2500, HONS 2230

Visit the Clemson Registrar's page on changing academic programs to find out information on how to declare or change your major.

Honors Program

Departmental Honors in computer science requires taking a junior-year honors seminar and a senior-year honors thesis (for a total of 7-8 credit hours). Please see Chris Plaue for honors advising.  The previous honors advisor, Jim Martin, also maintains additional information and frequently asked questions.


Minor Programs

The School of Computing offers two minor programs to allow Clemson students the opportunity to add a technical component to their degree. In addition, the School of Computing is a part of the interdisciplinary Clemson University Cybersecurity Center, which offers a minor in cybersecurity (starting with the 2018-2019 academic year.):

Computer Science [CPSC minor flowchart]

  • requires CPSC 2120 and 12 additional credits in computer science, of which at least nine credits must be at the 3000 level or higher.
  • note many 3000- and 4000-level CPSC courses require CPSC 2120 and/or CPSC 2150. You must take one of the two introductory computer science sequences before you can take CPSC 2120 or CPSC 2150:
    • Track 1: CPSC 1010-1011 & CPSC 1020-1021
    • Track 2: CPSC 1060-1061 & CPSC 1070-1071
  • the Computer Science minor is administered by the School of Computing student services. [advising information]

Digital Production Arts [DPA minor flowchart]

  • requires DPA 3070-3071 and one of the following options:
    • Group 1 (for Architecture or Visual Arts majors)- DPA 4000, 4010, and six credits selected from CPSC 4040, 4050, 4160, PKSC 2200, 3200, THEA 2880, 4870, 4970. Note that DPA 4000 and DPA 4010 is a two-semester sequence. Check iROAR to determine course offerings.
    • Group 2 (for Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Computer Information Systems majors)- DPA 4020, DPA 4030, and six credits selected from ART 2050, 2130, 4210, GC 3400, PKSC 2200, 3200, THEA 2880, 4870, 4970. Note that DPA 4020 and DPA 4020 is a two-semester sequence. Check iROAR to determine course offerings.
    • Group 3 (for all other majors)- DPA 4000, 4010, 4020, and three credits selected from CPSC 4040, 4050, 4160, and PKSC 2200. Note that DPA 4000 and DPA 4010 is a two-semester sequence. Check iROAR to determine course offerings.
  • note that DPA 3070-3071 is not a pre-requisite for any additional courses.
  • the majority of seats offered in DPA 3070-3071 are restricted to declared DPA minors.
  • the DPA minor is administered by School of Computing student services [advising information]

Cybersecurity Minor

This minor provides students the opportunity to complete a deeper examination of cybersecurity topics than is typical for a conventional degree. The minor requires a minimum of 15 credits. Students select one of two paths of study and complete all courses from that path, as well as an additional course selected from the approved cybersecurity list.

  • Path I: CPSC 2920, CPSC 4200, CPSC 4240, CPSC 4620, and one additional course selected from the cybersecurity list. Note that these courses have prerequisite sequences. [Path I flowchart]
  • Path II: CPSC 4200, CPSC 4620, and ECE 4490; either ECE 4380 or ECE 4400; and one additional course from the cybersecurity list. Note that these courses have prerequisite sequences.
  • Cybersecurity list: CPSC 2920, CPSC 4140, CPSC 4180, CPSC 4200, CPSC 4240, CPSC 4620, ECE 4270, ECE 4380, ECE 4490, ECE 4550, ECON 4220, MATH 2190, MATH 4100, MGT 3180, MGT 4360, MGT 4540, and MGT 4550.

For additional information about the Cybersecurity minor, please visit the Clemson University Cybersecurity Center's Web site. CPSC and CIS majors who wish to pursue Path I may consult their academic advisor for more information.

Visit the Clemson Registrar's website on changing academic programs to find out information on how to declare or change your minor.

Disclaimer

While we make every effort to ensure that information on this page is up-to-date, the official requirements for each program of study are listed in the official Clemson University Undergraduate Announcements. In the rare case of a discrepancy in the information listed on the School of Computing's webpage, requirements listed in the Undergraduate Announcements will apply.

Combined Bachelors/Masters Degree Program

The School of Computing offers a combined BS-MS education plan which allows students to apply up to nine-hour of graduate (6000- and 8000-level courses) towards both the BS and MS degrees. Students participating in this program must have at least 90 semester hours (junior standing) and a minimum GPA of 3.4. For questions about the program or on how to apply for the program, complete Form GS6 BS/MS and see Prof. Carrie Russell for necessary approval.