Academics

The Department of Computer Science delivers a range of courses as well as the following academic programs, with additional details available through the various menu links.

Undergraduate Programs

At the undergraduate level, we offer both a Bachelors of Arts (BA) and Bachelors of Science (BS) in Computer Science. Those degrees have similar requirements, with the BA offering a broader "liberal arts" feel with more general college requirements and the BS trading that off for some additional technical depth in CS, math and other sciences. For a helpful comparative view of those two options, please see the following checklists of degree requirements. Please note that students will typically graduate under the catalog of the year they enter the university, and they may not use older catalogs.

We also offer a B.S. in Data Science in partnership with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Students have pursued double majors that combined CS with fields as varied as art, biology, communications, engineering, English, French, geology, mathematics, neuroscience, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, Russian, Spanish, theatre, theology and more.

Our department also offers a 20 credit hour minor in computer science, which, when combined with majors in any of SLU's college, can help students better appreciate how computing technologies can be used to further one's goals in just about any area of society.

Graduate Programs

At the graduate level, we offer a Doctoral program in Computer Science (apply here for PhD program), as well as Master of Science programs in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Software Engineering (apply here for MS programs). The MS degrees rely upon a common set of courses, but with curricular guidelines that balance the combination of required and elective courses. The MS in Computer Science provides greater breadth of knowledge in the field, enabling students to continue on to a doctoral program or to be well-prepared for a variety of research and development positions in industry. The MS in Software Engineering curriculum is more tailored and professionally-oriented, enhancing students' skills and experience in developing high-quality, large-scale software systems. The MS in Artificial Intelligence provides students with depth of knowledge in AI/ML techniques and explores applications in partnership with faculty across the University.

Applicants who do not yet have all the expected undergraduate coursework in Computer Science and Mathematics for admission to these MS programs may apply to one of our Gateway to MS graduate preparatory programs, effectively being pre-admitted to their desired MS program, so long as they successfully complete the gateway preparatory courses with a grade of B or higher.

Our department also participates (along with Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics & Statistics) in delivering an innovative and interdisciplinary MS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program (apply here). This program teaches students to use computational techniques and data analyses to advance core understanding and innovation surrounding biological systems.

Accelerated Bachelors/Masters Programs

For existing SLU undergraduate students, we offer a variety of Accelerated Bachelors/Masters curricula. These "ABM" combinations typically allow students to graduate with both a bachelors degree and a masters degree with an integrated five-year plan that allows some graduate work to be completed while still an undergraduate student. Click here for more information on the available combinations and procedures.

Pathways for International Students

We have a strong contingent of international students in our computer science programs and applicants are welcome to apply for direct admission to our undergraduate or graduate programs, or to enroll in various pathway programs that provide additional English language instruction alongside courses toward the academic degree.

Click here for additional information.