This list of accredited computer science degree programs in North Dakota can be a valuable tool to help students decide whether a school or a degree program is right for them. Only one school is represented here, but five programs. Two of the programs, the bachelor’s degrees, are similar but one is a bachelor of arts and one is a bachelor of science. Which program students select depends on what career they want to pursue. Another variation is in thesis requirements. Understanding these differences will help you choose the program that is best suited for the individual.

University of North Dakota

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Science, Computer Science Department

The University of North Dakota has been ranked in the top 100 public universities by US News and World Report. The John D. Odegard School, housed in the university, is a world class facility known for its aerospace learning, aviation education, atmospheric research, space studies and computer sciences. There are 500 faculty and staff in the school; the computer science department has eight tenure-track faculty, all of whom have doctorates. The mission of the school is to provide high-quality programs that foster professional development and to engage students in learning and research that will contribute to the field of computer science.

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

This degree is for those students who see themselves as scientists or who want to be in the technology of computer science to other disciplines. It has fewer requirements in math and science but more requisites in the humanities. It is intended to give students a broad-based liberal arts education. The program is 125 credit hours. Students must take the “Essential Studies” required of all UND students and required classes from the College of Arts and Sciences, including two-to-three semesters of a foreign language. There are also 36 hours of computer science classes required, and 15 electives from other departments such as: Discrete math, Symbolic Logic, Introduction to Business and Economic Studies. A capstone project is also required at the completion of the degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science degree is intended for people who see themselves as engineers. These people want to pursue careers designing computers, building information systems and writing new software to address real-world problems. The program is 125 credit-hours. It includes the university’s Essential Studies, the requisites of the College of Arts and Sciences (the liberal arts component of the degree) and 45 hours in computer science classes like: Computer Science I and II, Systems Programming, Algorithms and Data Structure and Computer Architecture. A senior project is required and students must take Intro to Digital Electronics and Public Speaking, Calculus I and II, an approved math elective, an approved probability and statistics elective and other courses. Students take mainly liberal arts and foundational courses the first semester, but begin the lower-level computer science courses after that.

Minor in Computer Science

A minor is intended to give depth to a degree by the addition of supporting expertise in a correlative field. Students must complete all requisites for the main degree and the major as well as the requirements for the minor. The Minor in Computer Science has 20 computer science credit hours, all 200 level or above. Required courses are Computer Science I and II and Introduction to Scientific Programming.

Master of Science in Computer Science

This degree is available in the thesis or non-thesis tracks. The program includes many opportunities for collaboration with faculty in several areas of research. Areas of interest include: Artificial Intelligence, Compiler Design, Database, Networks and others. Students must have bachelor’s degree from an AACSB-accredited school and have a GPA of 2.85 to enter the program. There are 12 hours of core requisites, but students choose from two divisions of courses. One division, from which the student must choose two courses, includes topics such as algorithms, programming languages, and computer engineering. The other division from which students elect two courses includes classes in database systems, artificial intelligence and operating systems. The thesis track requires 30 credits. Students must complete the core classes plus four electives and the thesis. There is a written comprehensive exam upon completion of the instruction on core classes selected by the student. The non-thesis track contains 32 credit hours. Students complete 12 hours of core classes, 18 of electives and then do an independent study project. After completion of instruction, non-thesis graduates take the written comprehensive exam and do an oral presentation for faculty.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

This degree emphasizes software development, the science and technology of computer science and simulation-based technology. It requires a master’s degree in engineering or a science-based field with a GPA of 3.25 or above. Applicants to the program must have completed all prerequisites and have expertise in high-level language and basic knowledge of data structures, basic knowledge of formal languages, automata and computability and a basic knowledge of calculus, statistics and linear algebra. All applicants must also obtain interdisciplinary graduate training. This requirement is met by taking courses from the “computational cluster” in the catalog along with classes in the “applications” cluster or by taking three courses from the “computational” cluster and doing research in an “applications” subject. The program requires 51 to 66 credits for students (and completion of eight core courses) with approved bachelor-of-science degrees and 27 to 39 credit hours (with completion of four core courses) for those with approved master’s of science degrees.

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • ABET

Contact
University of North Dakota
John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Science
Department of Computer Science
Streibel Hall Room 201
3950 Campus Road Stop 9015
58202-9015
701-777-4157
Email through degree page of website
http://www.cs.und.edu/default.aspx

This compilation is intended to give students general information about the school and programs. After studying this list of Computer Science Degree Programs in North Dakota, students should visit the website for more information.