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University of Montana Catalog 2025-2026

Computer Science B.S. - Algorithm Design

General Degree Requirements

To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information. 

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science; Algorithm Design Concentration

Course Requirements

Computer Science Core Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
CSCI 150Introduction to Computer Science3
CSCI 151Interdisciplinary Computer Science I3
CSCI 152Interdisciplinary Computer Science II3
CSCI 232Intermediate Data Structures and Algorithms4
CSCI 258Web Application Development3
CSCI 315EComputers, Ethics, and Society (fulfills the Advanced Writing Requirement)3
CSCI 332Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms3
CSCI 340Database Design3
CSCI 406Careers in Computer Science1
M 171Calculus I4
M 225Introduction to Discrete Mathematics3
Communication Requirement
Complete the following course: 3
Introduction to Public Speaking
Algorithm Design Concentration Core Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
M 172Calculus II4
M 221Introduction to Linear Algebra4
STAT 342Probability and Simulation3
CSCI 361Computer Architecture3
CSCI 432Advanced Algorithm Topics3
CSCI 460Operating Systems3
Upper-Division Computer Science Electives
Complete 18 credits of upper-division Computer Science (CSCI) courses and as many as 3 credits of approved upper division math elective. 118
Approved upper-division math elective - May be taken in place of one upper-division Computer Science elective:
Discrete Optimization
Linear Optimization
Deterministic Models
Numerical Analysis
Graph Theory
Probability Theory
Total Hours74
1

A maximum of 3 credits from each of the following groups may count toward Computer Science electives. Total credits across all groups may not exceed 6. 

Four Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
AutumnHours
CSCI 150 Introduction to Computer Science 3
CSCI 106 Careers in Computer Science 1
COMX 111A Introduction to Public Speaking 3
Gen Ed Elective 6
 Hours13
Spring
CSCI 151 Interdisciplinary Computer Science I 3
WRIT 101 College Writing I 4
M 121
College Algebra 1
or College Trigonometry
or Precalculus
3-4
Gen Ed Elective 6
 Hours16-17
Sophomore
Autumn
CSCI 152 Interdisciplinary Computer Science II 3
M 171 Calculus I 4
CSCI 258 Web Application Development 3
Lab Science seq I 4-5
 Hours14-15
Spring
CSCI 232 Intermediate Data Structures and Algorithms 4
M 225 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (coreq for CSCI 232) 3
CSCI 361 Computer Architecture 3
Lab Science seq II 4-5
Gen Ed Elective 3
 Hours17-18
Junior
Autumn
CSCI 332 Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms 3
Intermediate Writing Course 3
CSCI 340 Database Design 3
M 172 Calculus II 4
 Hours13
Spring
CSCI 315E Computers, Ethics, and Society 3
CSCI 432 Advanced Algorithm Topics 3
M 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra 4
Science Elective 3-5
Gen Ed Elective 3
 Hours16-18
Senior
Autumn
STAT 342 Probability and Simulation 3
Gen Ed Elective 3
CS Core Elective 9
 Hours15
Spring
Gen Ed Elective 3
CS Core Elective 9
M 361
Discrete Optimization
or Linear Optimization
or Deterministic Models
or Numerical Analysis
or Graph Theory
or Probability Theory
3
 Hours15
 Total Hours119-124

Last updated Autumn 2024

1

Preparatory course - no credit towards degree, must be taken at this time to assure progression through degree

2

M 162 will not be accepted for this concentration