Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Computer Science (B.A., B.S.)


50 or 62 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)


 For a Computer Science course to be counted toward the major, a grade of “C” or higher is required.

Nondepartmental Requirements (7 hours)


Non-Departmental requirements may also be applied toward a minor or second major.

Artificial Intelligence Specialization, B.A.


Fall 2021 start date.

  • Core B.A. 26 cr hrs
  • Artificial Intelligence courses 15 cr hrs
  • Artificial Intelligence non-departmental requirements 19 cr hrs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most vital and fast-growing fields within Computer Science, with impact in every stratum of society. As such, providing expanded programs in AI will help prepare current and future USD students to meet workforce needs in the state, region, and beyond. AI specialization involves courses, such as high-performance computing, distributed systems, machine learning, and data mining. The aforementioned courses are considered to be primer for several different application domains and/or programs, such as biology, medical science and healthcare, physics, chemistry, and business data analytics, just to name a few

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)


 For a Computer Science course to be counted toward the major, a grade of “C” or higher is required.

Non-departmental Requirements (19 hours) B.S. (No specialization only)


Non-Departmental requirements may also be applied toward a minor or second major. Total of Non-Departmental requirements, Bachelor of Science requirements (B.S.), and South Dakota Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGR) natural science and math courses must be at least 30 credit hours.

Artificial Intelligence Specialization, B.S.


Fall 2021 start date.

63 credit hours required, 120 degree hours
  • BS Core 32 cr hrs
  • Artificial Intelligence courses 12 cr hrs
  • Artificial Intelligence non-departmental courses 19

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most vital and fast-growing fields within Computer Science, with impact in every stratum of society. As such, providing expanded programs in AI will help prepare current and future USD students to meet workforce needs in the state, region, and beyond. AI specialization involves courses, such as high-performance computing, distributed systems, machine learning, and data mining. The aforementioned courses are considered to be primer for several different application domains and/or programs, such as biology, medical science and healthcare, physics, chemistry, and business data analytics, just to name a few.

Non-Departmental Requirements for Artificial Intelligence, B.S. Specialization (19 hours)


Four-Year Program Guides and Costs


USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

New Fall 2021

Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
  2. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
  3. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions.
  4. Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
  5. Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
  6. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.
  7. ABET (a) An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the program’s student outcomes and to the discipline.
  8. ABET (b) An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
  9. ABET (c) An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
  10. ABET (d) An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal.
  11. ABET (e) An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities.
  12. ABET (f) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  13. ABET (g) An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society.
  14. ABET (h) Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development.
  15. ABET (i) An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.
  16. ABET (j) An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.
  17. ABET (k) An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live


If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization