Degrees

Bachelor in Computer Science

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science provides students with the breadth and depth to succeed in this rapidly changing field. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for immediate employment in either the computer industry or many other businesses that increasingly rely on computer science.

Review the Bachelors Degree and Emphasis Requirements

Refer to the Bachelors Finish in Four academic plan

CS Course Catalog Descriptions

The catalog include all CS and CS Professionals Hatchery courses for Bachelors program and the following emphasis.
View the CS Courses   View the CS Professionals Hatchery Courses

Cybersecurity Emphasis

The cybersecurity emphasis educates computer science students to prepare them with knowledge to understand the importance of cybersecurity in the CS or IT industry and effectively design robust software and/or computer systems. Graduates who received this emphasis will be excellent candidates for software and/or IT security positions or graduate studies in the cybersecurity field.
More details Refer to the Cybersecurity Emphasis Finish in Four academic plan

Entrepreneurship Emphasis

The Entrepreneurial Emphasis is a joint partnership with the Management department from the College of Business and Economics, the Venture College and the Computer Science Department to offer an entrepreneurship emphasis that provides students with the background and skills to start their own company.
Refer to the Entrepreneurship Emphasis Finish in Four academic plan

Machine Learning Emphasis

There is an increasing need in industry and academic research for students to graduate with an understanding of theory and practical skills related to data science and machine learning. Knowledge and experience in machine learning requires basic data science skills, knowledge of algorithms used for machine learning, as well as practical experience in common application areas. This emphasis gives the students a clear path of the courses that they can take to gain that important knowledge and hone those critical skills. Graduates from this emphasis can apply to entry level machine learning engineer positions.
The Machine Learning emphasis is effective Fall 2020. Contact Casey Kennington for additional details at (208) 426-5731 or caseykennington@boisestate.edu

Refer to the Machine Learning Emphasis Finish in Four academic plan

Secondary CS Education Emphasis and Teaching Endorsement

The Computer Science, Secondary Education Emphasis and the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement combines content knowledge, theories of learning and human development, study of curriculum, and methodology to help students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for success in secondary school teaching.

These programs involves participation in the IDoTeach STEM-ED curriculum, which includes early and sustained field experiences for students. Candidates who complete the Secondary Education Emphasis or the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement programs have demonstrated evidence of meeting the Idaho Beginning Teacher Standards and are eligible for recommendation for state certification.
Refer to the Secondary Education Emphasis Finish in Four academic plan

Explore the IDoCode Program

Minors in Computer Science

Computer Science skills are in high demand CS is a driving force behind many of the advances in business, science and math, and now even social sciences and art.

Due to the pervasive influence and use of computing in nearly every field, all students may consider a minor in computer science or a data science certificate.

Computer Science students may obtain a Data Science Certificate, a CS Minor, a Cybersecurity Minor, or a Computer Science Teaching Endorsement.

Data Science Certificate

The data science certificate is available in the 2020-2021 catalog.  Students may begin their data science coursework now.
View the Data Science Certificate: Degree Requirements

Computer Science Minor

Due to the pervasive use of computer science in most fields, a student can benefit their career by also obtaining a minor in Computer Science.
View the CS Minor: Degree Requirements

Cybersecurity Minor

To respond to the rapid growing need of cybersecurity knowledge in many fields, the Department of Computer Science created this trans-disciplinary minor.  The objective is to educate students with correct computing ethics and prepare them with enough knowledge to understand the importance of cybersecurity in the workforce as well as the skills to effectively prevent/detect/be aware of possible cyber-crimes. This minor is a great option for students majoring in  engineering, mathematics, information technology and management, health sciences and other programs. Graduates who received this minor will be well positioned to jobs that combine their domains with cybersecurity.

For additional information contact: Dr. Jyh-haw Yeh (208) 426-3034, email jhyeh@boisestate.edu
View the Cybersecurity Minor: Degree Requirements

Computer Science Teaching Endorsement

The Computer Science, Secondary Education Emphasis and the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement combines content knowledge, theories of learning and human development, study of curriculum, and methodology to help students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for success in secondary school teaching.

These programs involves participation in the IDoTeach STEM-ED curriculum, which includes early and sustained field experiences for students. Candidates who complete the Secondary Education Emphasis or the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement programs have demonstrated evidence of meeting the Idaho Beginning Teacher Standards and are eligible for recommendation for state certification.
View the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement program requirements

Post-Baccalaureate (Second Degree)

If you already have an undergraduate degree in another field, you can get a second Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science through the Post-Baccalaureate (Post-Bacc or Second Degree) program. Graduates of this program will be prepared for further advancement in their current field or for immediate employment in either the software companies or many other businesses that increasingly rely on computer science.

The second degree program requires you to complete only the classes (and their pre-requisites) that are specifically required for the undergraduate Computer Science program. You would not have to repeat most of the general education classes. For most students, this second degree can be completed in two to two-and-a-half years. That can take longer if the prior major did not include many math courses. Summer courses can be a great way to catch up on those and other pre-reqs/required courses.

Application and Admission Requirements

Interested students must:

• Submit the Boise State University Undergraduate Admission Application, along with nonrefundable application fee, to the Admissions Office. You can apply online through the Admissions Office website. The application form may also be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office at (208) 426-1156/4184 or 1-800-824-7017 or by email at admissions@boisestate.edu.
• Arrange for official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to be sent directly to the Admissions Office.
• After admission: contact the Computer Science Department (computerscience@boisestate.edu) to request advising. Department staff will connect you with the second degree coordinator who will look at your application and transcripts to develop a customized checklist of courses that would be required for your second degree. The creation of your customized plan cannot occur prior to admission.
• What if I have questions but I am not ready to apply yet? If you have general questions prior to admission, department staff will be connect you with an advisor that can answer general questions about the second degree program.

Accelerated Masters in Computer Science

The Accelerated Master of Science in Computer Science is an exciting opportunity for selected Boise State University undergraduate students in the Boise State Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program. This program allows current Boise State undergrads to work with their CS faculty advisor to select two graduate courses that can be taken during their undergraduate career for application to both Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Computer Science degree requirements.

Application and Admission Requirements

1. Completion of at least 75 credits applicable to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at Boise State University
2. Overall GPA of at least 3.0
3. GPA of at least 3.3 in all completed COMPSCI/CS classes
4. Submission of application no later than two weeks prior to the start of final semester. It’s recommended to submit early to help with enrollment in graduate level courses.

Application Procedure and Materials

Procedure

1. Complete the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program in Computer Science form which will be sent to the graduate coordinator, Dr. Jerry Alan Fails.
2. Create an online application form.  Note that you don’t need to pay the application fee because the department will cover it. After you fill out the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program in Computer Science form, please send an email to computerscience@boisestate.edu and we will provide a discount code for the application fee.

Application Materials

1. Submit your unofficial transcript.
2. Write a Statement of Purpose. Be sure to include information such as educational and professional background, motivation for graduate study, areas of interest and future career goals.
3. Resume.
4. 2 Letters of Recommendation. Ask a computer science faculty member (i.e., your prospective thesis/project advisor) to submit a recommendation letter through the graduate college application. One of the letters can be from the graduate coordinator upon consulting with them.

Apply for the Accelerated Masters Program through the CS department

NOTE: Applicants are not required to take the GRE test. Students are strongly encouraged to review the graduate catalog before applying.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The M.S. in Computer Science program allows a student to specialize deeper in the field of Computer Science.

The Department of Computer Science strives to help students through every stage of thesis/project process, to fully understand and map out precisely where their research is going, how they plan on getting there (the Hypotheses), and what transportation to take (the specific Analytic Methodologies).
Review the Masters CS Degree Requirements View the CS Master Course Descriptions Explore the Masters’ program for more information

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

The M.S. in Cybersecurity builds knowledge and skills of security specialists to effectively protect the safety and prosperity of companies, communities, and the nation. The mission of the program is to engage students in an interdisciplinary approach on the security aspects of software, modern cryptographic systems, and security program management.

The program has multiple emphasis options. The Computer Science emphasis will focus on the protection of computer systems, networks, programs, critical infrastructures, and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change, or destruction., an emphasis in Cryptanalysis and Signals Analysis, and an emphasis in Management. The Cryptanalysis and Signals Analysis emphasis will focus on modern and emerging cryptographic systems, weaknesses of the underlying mathematics of a cryptographic system, weaknesses in implementation including side-channel attacks, and weak entropy inputs. The Management emphasis will focus on managing the many complex systems required to run a successful information security program. These systems include governance systems, change management systems, identity, and access management systems, and managing the people running them.
Explore the Master’s in Cybersecurity program website for more information

MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) with CS pathway

The Computer Science, Secondary Education Emphasis and the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement combines content knowledge, theories of learning and human development, study of curriculum, and methodology to help students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for success in secondary school teaching.

These programs involves participation in the IDoTeach STEM-ED curriculum, which includes early and sustained field experiences for students. Candidates who complete the Secondary Education Emphasis or the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement programs have demonstrated evidence of meeting the Idaho Beginning Teacher Standards and are eligible for recommendation for state certification.
View the latest MA, Education, Curriculum and Instruction information

Contact Dr. Julianne Wenner (208) 426-1615, email juliannewenner@boisestate.edu for the latest details on the education and computer science course work requirements.

PhD in Computing

Computing PhD Graduates will lead the next generation of computing scientists in solutions to complex problems in every sector of society; from traditional science and engineering domains to key areas such as national security, public health, and economic innovation.

The Computing PhD program integrates research efforts across more than 10 disciplinary departments at Boise State with foundations in computer science and mathematics.
Explore the PhD in Computing site

Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning

Learn more about this certificate on the Machine Learning webpage.

Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

Learn more about this certificate on the Cybersecurity webpage.

Graduate Certificate in Data Science

Learn more about this certificate on the Data Science webpage.

Graduate Certificate in Computer Science Teacher Endorsement

The Computer Science, Secondary Education Emphasis and the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement combines content knowledge, theories of learning and human development, study of curriculum, and methodology to help students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for success in secondary school teaching.

These programs involves participation in the IDoTeach STEM-ED curriculum, which includes early and sustained field experiences for students. Candidates who complete the Secondary Education Emphasis or the Computer Science Teaching Endorsement programs have demonstrated evidence of meeting the Idaho Beginning Teacher Standards and are eligible for recommendation for state certification.

View the Graduate Certificate CS Teaching Endorsement Degree Requirements
Explore the IDoCode Program
Cohort’s form each summer.  The application deadline for the next cohort is April 15th.  This deadline has been extended to accept later applicants.

Sample CS Teacher Endorsement Plan