Computer Science

pcc.edu/programs/computer-science/

Description

Computer science is the study of information systems, their representation, architecture, and implementation, used for a variety of practical and theoretical purposes. Computer science addresses methods by which data is accessed, stored, and retrieved, which include areas such as representational computation, programming languages, algorithmic modeling, and software design, testing and development. Computer scientists apply their knowledge of mathematics, physics, and logic to solve a variety of problems using diverse technology.

Students learn practical methods of reasoning, problem-solving, and theoretical analysis to develop their skills in computer science. While exploring general courses in programming, systems analysis, mathematics, and physics, students apply their skills to core challenges within the field. PCC offers students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree, or Associate of Science (AS) degree. Students may also complete courses as preparation for a bachelor’s or advanced degree or update skills to industry standards. Students wishing to transfer credits must check the specific requirements of the college/university to which they intend to transfer, and should seek Academic Advising for help in tailoring a transfer degree to accommodate the requirements of their chosen major. Computer Science transfer guides exist for Portland State University, Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, the Oregon Institute of Technology, and other Oregon institutions offering Computer Science degrees.

Associate of Science Transfer Degree

Computer Science

Computer Science AST Degree

Minimum 90 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Science Transfer Degree Requirements. Students must complete General Education requirements that are outlined below. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning.

Computer Science Degree Courses

CS 160Exploring Computer Science4
CS 161AProgramming and Problem Solving I4
CS 161B Programming and Problem Solving II4
CS 162Computer Science II4
CS 201Computer Systems (or elective) **4
CS 250Discrete Structures I (or elective) **4
CS 251Discrete Structures II (or elective) **4
CS 260Data Structures4
COMM 111Z Public Speaking Z4
MTH 111Z or MTH 112Z or MTH 251Z or MTH 252Z Z4
WR 121Z Composition I 1,Z4
WR 122Z Composition II 2,Z4
or WR 227Z
Technical Writing
General Education - Lab Science: 2 courses 1,38-10
Additional Lab Science (OSU, PSU, UO only; all others take elective) 30-5
General Education - Arts & Letters: 2 courses *,16-8
General Education - Social Science: 2 courses *,16-8
Electives to reach 90 credits 415-26
Total Credits94
**

CS 201, CS 250, and CS 251 only required for OSU, PSU, and UO

*

One of these courses must carry the Cultural Literacy designation.

1

These courses constitute the Core Transfer Map (CTM), a required component of the degree that must total a minimum of 30 credits.  If the credit total for the selected options is fewer than 30 credits, students must select an additional General Education course to complete the CTM component of the degree.

2

Students planning to attend OSU, PSU or UO should take WR 227Z and those planning to attend EOU, SOU, or WOU should take WR 122Z.

3

Students planning to transfer to EOU, SOU, or WOU:  Take any 2 Gen Ed Lab Science courses; no Additional Lab Science required.

Students planning to transfer to OSU, PSU or UO:  Take one of the following sequences to fulfill the Gen Ed Lab Science and Additional Lab Science requirements 

  • CH 221Z + CH 227Z, CH 222Z + CH 228Z, and CH 223Z + CH 229Z or
  • BI 221Z, BI 222Z, and BI 223Z or
  • CH 221Z + CH 227Z + BI221Z + BI 222Z or
  • G 201, G 202, and G 203 or
  • PHY 201, PHY 202, PHY 203 or
  • PHY 211, PHY 212, PHY 213
4

Any 100-level or 200-level credits can satisfy elective requirements for the AST.  Each Oregon public university has limits on the number of transfer credits in specific categories of electives (vocational-technical, PE, etc.) that can apply to the bachelor degree; students should work with an advisor to determine their electives based on their transfer plans.

Z

This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. The following courses are equivalent at PCC:

  • COMM 111, COMM 111H, COMM 111Z, and COMM 111HZ
  • MTH 251 and MTH 251Z
  • MTH 252 and MTH 252Z
  • WR 121, WR 121H, WR 121Z, and WR 121HZ
  • WR 122, WR 122H, WR 122Z, and WR 122HZ
  • WR 227 and WR 227Z

Students who meet the admission requirements may transfer to any public university without completing this degree, but are not guaranteed to receive the same transfer benefits available through completing the degree.

Note that in order for a student to successfully transfer to an Oregon public university in this major, students must at a minimum:

  1. Earn a grade of a “C-” or better in courses in the major (biology, chemistry, math, physics for the Biology major).
  2. Take courses in the major for a grade— Oregon public universities do not accept “pass/no pass”
  3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0

Minimum grades required for general transfer and for application to major requirements and prerequisites may vary by each Oregon public university and by each degree/major.

CS 133G. Introduction to Computer Games. 4 Credits.

Introduces fundamentals of computer game development, including a survey of computer game categories and platforms, major game components, the game development process, and game graphics. Design and development of elementary two-dimensional computer games. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

CS 133U. C Programming. 4 Credits.

Introduces computer programming through development of C programs to solve practical problems. Recommended: CS 160. Audit available.

CS 160. Exploring Computer Science. 4 Credits.

Explores the field of computer science. Provides an overview of computer architecture, software development engineering, data organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics, and theory of computation. Explores career options and develops rudimentary software development skills. Recommended: Computer Literacy (such as completion of CIS 120). Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI

CS 161. Computer Science I. 4 Credits.

Introduces the concepts of computer science. Explores problem solving, algorithm and program design, data types, loops, control structures, subprograms, and arrays. Introduces writing programs in a high level programming language. Surveys current social and ethical aspects of computer science. Recommended: MTH 111Z, WR 121Z, and CS 160. Audit available.

CS 161A. Programming and Problem Solving I. 4 Credits.

Introduces computer programming through development of programs using a high-level programming language. Explores foundational programming styles, techniques, syntax, and tools in order to develop, write, run, and debug simple computer programs with an emphasis on problem solving. Surveys current social and ethical aspects of computer science. Recommended: MTH 65 or CS 160. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

CS 161B. Programming and Problem Solving II. 4 Credits.

Explores intermediate-level problem solving, algorithm and program design, loops, control structures, subprograms, and arrays. Emphasizes development of medium-sized projects using a high-level programming language. Recommended: MTH 95. Prerequisites: CS 161A, (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

CS 162. Computer Science II. 4 Credits.

Explores classes, pointers, dynamic memory, linear linked lists, multi-dimensional arrays, program correctness, verification, and testing. Recommended: MTH 111Z and WR 121Z. Prerequisites: CS 161B or (CS 161 and CS 140U). Audit available.

CS 201. Computer Systems. 4 Credits.

Introduces computer systems from a software perspective. Provides an overview of C and assembly language programming and reading skills. Explores basic systems programming skills and tools to measure and improve program performance based on an understanding of key aspects of machine architecture. Prerequisite: CS 162 and MTH 65 or any MTH/STAT course for which MTH 65 is a prerequisite. Audit available.

CS 233G. Game Programming. 4 Credits.

Introduces object-oriented architectures and software design patterns used for game design. Explores a game engine software framework to design and implement several kinds of games, animation techniques, physics simulation, user controls, graphical methods, and intelligent behaviors. Recommended: one term of a programming language such as C, C++, Java or C#. Audit available.

CS 250. Discrete Structures I. 4 Credits.

Introduces discrete structures and computational techniques in the areas of first-order logic, discrete proofs, number theory, sequences, induction, recursion, and set theory. Prerequisite: MTH 251 or MTH 251Z and CS 162. Audit available.

CS 251. Discrete Structures II. 4 Credits.

Introduces discrete structures and computational techniques in the areas of functions, relations, probability, graph theory, algorithm analysis, and finite state automata. Prerequisite: CS 250. Audit available.

CS 260. Data Structures. 4 Credits.

Explores stacks, queues, lists, vectors, hash tables, graphs, trees and algorithms including sorting, searching, iterating over data structures and recursion. Prerequisite: CS 162. Audit available.

CS 261. Programming Systems. 4 Credits.

Explores the theory and practice of object-oriented programming as embodied in both Java and C++. Introduces inheritance, polymorphism, virtual functions, templates, exceptions, operator overloading and the extensive libraries that are available as a standard part of Java and C++. Prerequisite: CS 260. Audit available.