Engineering Computer Science

Description

Website: https://computing.unl.edu
email: computing@unl.edu

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln School of Computing offers Nebraska’s only comprehensive program of higher education, research, and service outreach in computer science,  computer engineering, and software engineering.

The School of Computing offers a challenging baccalaureate degree program in computer science that prepares graduates for professional practice as computer scientists, provides the basis for advanced studies in the field, and establishes a foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. The Computer Science (BS) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.

The School of Computing also offers a degree of bachelor of science in computer engineering and a bachelor of science in software engineering. All students with a major in the School of Computing should see their advisor during the first semester to ensure they understand the requirements for each School of Computing undergraduate degree program. Students should consult with their advisors each semester for registration advising.

Introductory Courses

Entering students may select from several introductory courses according to their interests. The Computer Science I courses (CSCE 155A Computer Science I, CSCE 155H Honors: Computer Science I, CSCE 155E Computer Science I: Systems Engineering Focus, and CSCE 155T Computer Science I: Informatics Focus) all provide a foundation in designing and programming computing solutions and prepare students for more advanced CSCE courses, including CSCE 156 Computer Science II . These courses are designed to meet different interests. CSCE 155A is designed for students majoring in Computer Science.  CSCE 155H is for honors students. CSCE 155E emphasizes computing for systems engineering, such as control systems, mobile computing, and embedded devices and is designed for students majoring in computer engineering. CSCE 155T focuses on data and information processing, such as document or database applications, online commerce, or bioinformatics. CSCE 156 is for students with a background in designing and programming computing solutions, such as is provided by CSCE 155A. CSCE 101 Fundamentals of Computer Science is for students seeking a broad introduction to computer science with brief instruction in computer programming. CSCE 100 Introduction to Informatics focuses on the use of data-centric and information technologies and on issues and challenges in the application of computing in the sciences, engineering, the humanities, and the arts.

Program Assessment. In order to assist the school in evaluating the effectiveness of its programs, majors will be required in their senior year to complete a written exit survey. The results of participation in these assessment activities will in no way affect a student's GPA or graduation.

Graduate Programs. The School of Computing offers several graduate degree programs: master of science in computer science, accelerated master of science in computer science, master of science in computer science with a computer engineering specialization, master of science in computer science with a bioinformatics specialization, doctor of philosophy in computer science, doctor of philosophy in engineering with a computer engineering specialization, doctor of philosophy in computer science with a bioinformatics specialization, and joint doctor of philosophy in computer science and mathematics. See the Graduate Studies Catalog for details.

Major Department Admission

Students are expected to meet minimum university entrance requirements. After being admitted to the college, students desiring to pursue a degree in computer science must go through the Professional Admission process, which is automatically performed for qualifying students at the end of the sophomore year. In order to be considered for Professional Admission to the computer science program, students must receive a "P" or "C" or above in CSCE 310 Data Structures and Algorithms (RAIK 283H Honors: Software Engineering III) and have a GPA of at least 2.5 (semester and cumulative). If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 2.4, the student may be placed on restricted status, may be removed from the College, and may not be able to graduate.
 

College Requirements

College Admission

College Entrance Requirements

Students must meet both the University and College of Engineering entrance requirements.  The following includes both the University and College of Engineering entrance requirements.

Students must have high school credit for (one unit is equal to one high school year):

  1. Mathematics – 4 units: 2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of precalculus and trigonometry
  2. English – 4 units
  3. Natural sciences – 3 units that must include 1 unit of physics and 1 unit of chemistry (chemistry requirement waived for students in construction management or computer science)
  4. Foreign language – 2 units of a single foreign language
  5. Social studies – 3 units
  6. Students having a composite ACT score of 28 or greater (or equivalent SAT score) will be admitted to the College of Engineering even if they lack any one of the following: trigonometry, chemistry, or physics. Students without test scores who are missing a full unit of trigonometry/pre-calculus/calculus or chemistry or physics will be evaluated through College Review.
  7. Students having an ACT score of 19 or less in English (or equivalent SAT score) or a grade lower than B in high school English, must take ENGL 150 Writing and Inquiry or ENGL 151 Writing for Change.

A total of 16 units is required for admission.

Engineering requires that student performance meet one of the following standards: composite ACT of 24, SAT of 1180, ACT Math subscore of 24, SAT Math subscore of 580, or a 3.5 cumulative GPA. 

 

Any domestic first-year student who does not gain admission to Engineering but does gain admission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) will be reviewed through College Review. College Review is conducted through the College Review Committee which considers factors beyond standardized testing. Any first-year student who is not admitted through college review is placed in Pre-Engineering (PENG) with the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (Explore Center). Students in the Explore Center can transfer to the College of Engineering once college admission requirements are met. 

Students for whom English is not their language of nurture must meet the minimum English proficiency requirements of the University. 

Students who lack entrance units may complete precollege training by Independent Study through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Office of On-line and Distance Education, in summer courses, or as a part of their first or second semester course loads while in the Explore Center or other colleges at UNL. 

Students should consult their advisor, their department chair, or Engineering Student Services (ESS) if they have questions on current policies. 

Other Admission Requirements

Students who transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from other accredited colleges or universities and wish to be admitted to the College of Engineering (COE) must meet COE first-year student entrance requirements, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and be calculus-ready. Students not meeting either of these requirements must enroll in the Explore Center or another University college until they meet COE admission requirements. Students transferring from UNOUNL, or UNK to the College of Engineering must be in good academic standing with their institution. 

The COE accepts courses for transfer for which a C or better grade was received. Although the University of Nebraska–Lincoln accepts D grades from the University of Nebraska Kearney and the University of Nebraska Omaha, not all majors in the COE accept such low grades. Students must conform to the requirements of their intended major and, in any case, are strongly encouraged to repeat courses with a grade of C- or less.

Students who were previously admitted to COE and are returning to the College of Engineering must demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be readmitted to COE.

College Degree Requirements

Grade Rules

Grade Appeals

In the event of a dispute involving any college policies or grades, the student should appeal to their instructor, and appropriate department chair or school director (in that order). If a satisfactory solution is not achieved, the student may appeal their case through the College Academic Appeals Subcommittee. 

Catalog Rule

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at Nebraska in the College of Engineering. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation. 

Students who have transferred from a community college may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  This decision should be made in consultation with the student’s College of Engineering academic advising team (e.g., ESS professional advisor and the chief faculty advisor for the student’s declared degree program).  The chief faculty advisor has the final authority for this decision. Eligibility is based on a) enrollment in a community college during the catalog year the student wishes to utilize, b) maintaining continuous enrollment of at least 12 credit hours per semester at the previous institution for at least 2 semesters, and c) continuous enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from the student’s last term at the previous institution.  Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year and within the timeframe allowable for that catalog year. 

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the computer science program will be able to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The above student outcomes have been approved by the ABET Engineering Area Delegation for use beginning with the 2019-20 academic year, and have been adopted by the School of Computing faculty.