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Computer Science: About The Program
About Our Degrees
The Computer Science and Engineering Department offers instruction in all areas of computer science and computer engineering. The computer engineering curriculum emphasizes hardware, software, and system integration issues of computing. Topics include such diverse areas as analog and digital electronics, logic design, computer architecture, VLSI, computer networking, signal/image processing, algorithms and data structures, programming languages, software engineering, computer organization, artificial intelligence, and operating systems. The Computer Engineering program is accredited by ABET.
Acceptance Criteria - B.S.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE 116 and CSE 191.
Acceptance Criteria - B.A.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE 116 and CSE 191.
Acceptance Information
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Degree Requirements
Please see Degrees and Policies.
Acceptance Criteria - B.S.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE 116 and CSE 191.
Acceptance Criteria - B.A.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in CSE 116 and CSE 191.
Acceptance Information
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Degree Requirements
Please see Degrees and Policies.
About Our Courses
Generally, classes in the freshmen and sophomore years tend to be somewhat larger as these classes serve as the foundation for many engineering majors. Once students enter their junior year, they take classes that are required for their particular major and class size decreases even more.
The School of Engineering's block scheduling initiative assists first-semester freshmen by providing the same coordinated schedule of classes for approximately twenty students. So even though some classes may be larger, students will become familiar with other students who are in their other classes. In addition, students who opt for our small group academic support sessions interact closely with peer tutors on a weekly basis through our student excellence initiative. In the small groups, students work with professional instructors in about a 10:1 ratio. The workshop style format combines interactive instruction and student problem solving practice on material from Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry courses. In the short run, the groups provide personal attention in helping students understand challenging course material. The ultimate goal is that students learn how university level problems differ from those in high school and how to approach them.
Typical class size:
Freshman/introductory courses:
Upper level/advanced courses: 20-70
Suggested Introductory Courses
For the BA:
For the BS:
In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?
They support instructors in lower-level undergraduate courses, cover recitations and laboratories, assist students, help grade papers, support instructional laboratories, and hold office hours.
For course descriptions, please see Courses.
The School of Engineering's block scheduling initiative assists first-semester freshmen by providing the same coordinated schedule of classes for approximately twenty students. So even though some classes may be larger, students will become familiar with other students who are in their other classes. In addition, students who opt for our small group academic support sessions interact closely with peer tutors on a weekly basis through our student excellence initiative. In the small groups, students work with professional instructors in about a 10:1 ratio. The workshop style format combines interactive instruction and student problem solving practice on material from Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry courses. In the short run, the groups provide personal attention in helping students understand challenging course material. The ultimate goal is that students learn how university level problems differ from those in high school and how to approach them.
Typical class size:
Freshman/introductory courses:
- calculus = 60 lec/30 rec
- physics = 155 lec/30 lab
- chemistry = 275 lec/24 lab
- computer science = 80-95 lec/16-20 rec
Upper level/advanced courses: 20-70
Suggested Introductory Courses
For the BA:
- CSE 115 Intro to Computer Science for Majors I
- CSE 116 Intro to Computer Science for Majors II
- One of: MTH 121/MTH 122 Survey of Calculus & Its Applications I & II; MTH 131 Mathematical Analysis for Management; or MTH 141/MTH 142 College Calculus I & II
- CSE 191 Discrete Structures
For the BS:
- CSE 115 Intro to Computer Science for Majors I
- CSE 116 Intro to Computer Science for Majors II
- MTH 141 College Calculus I
- MTH 142 College Calculus II
- CSE 191 Discrete Structures
In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?
They support instructors in lower-level undergraduate courses, cover recitations and laboratories, assist students, help grade papers, support instructional laboratories, and hold office hours.
For course descriptions, please see Courses.
About Our Faculty
The CSE faculty averages more than $4 million annually in grants for research in their areas. The faculty members of the department, all of whom have national and international reputations in their fields, are involved in research projects that have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, National Institute of Health, Advanced Research Project Agency, New York State Foundation of Science, Technical and Academic Research, and a variety of special contracts.
These projects include research in: algorithms and theory, augmentative technology for the handicapped, computer networks and distributed systems, computer security and information assurance, computer vision and information visualization, data integration and databases, high performance and grid computing, cyber infrastructure and computational science, knowledge representation, computational linguistics, medical applications and bioinformatics, multimedia databases and informational retrieval, pattern recognition, machine learning, data mining, programming languages and software systems and VLSI and computer architecture.
Several of the faculty serve on the editorial boards of major research journals as well as the boards of major national professional societies. Many members of the department have won university awards for excellence in teaching.
See a list of our Undergraduate Faculty.
These projects include research in: algorithms and theory, augmentative technology for the handicapped, computer networks and distributed systems, computer security and information assurance, computer vision and information visualization, data integration and databases, high performance and grid computing, cyber infrastructure and computational science, knowledge representation, computational linguistics, medical applications and bioinformatics, multimedia databases and informational retrieval, pattern recognition, machine learning, data mining, programming languages and software systems and VLSI and computer architecture.
Several of the faculty serve on the editorial boards of major research journals as well as the boards of major national professional societies. Many members of the department have won university awards for excellence in teaching.
See a list of our Undergraduate Faculty.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
As part of their undergraduate education, students are encouraged to participate in work experience classes and research opportunities.
Co-Ops
Work experience is available through the Engineering Career Institute program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as departmental co-op and internship classes. The Engineering Career Institute (EAS 396, 1 academic credit) provides career-effectiveness skills and co-op placement assistance during the junior year. This may be followed by one to three co-op work experiences (EAS 496, 2 academic credit hours). Co-ops may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS. Descriptions of co-op courses may be found at undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/academicprograms/eas.shtml.
Internships
Internship opportunities include a field experience working on a computer science and engineering project in a real-world setting under the joint direction of a supervisor from industry and a faculty advisor from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Projects selected should integrate the material learned in academic courses. Upon completing the internship (CSE 496), the student is expected to have fulfilled an internship contract. Only P/F grades will be given; therefore, internships may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS program.
Research
Undergraduate research experiences are available for course credit (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity or Independent Study) or as a paid assistant in the research laboratory of a faculty member. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity serves as a clearing house for information regarding undergraduate research opportunities.
Independent Study
Students pursue an area of computer science and engineering in which they are particularly interested. (May not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS)
Co-Ops
Work experience is available through the Engineering Career Institute program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as departmental co-op and internship classes. The Engineering Career Institute (EAS 396, 1 academic credit) provides career-effectiveness skills and co-op placement assistance during the junior year. This may be followed by one to three co-op work experiences (EAS 496, 2 academic credit hours). Co-ops may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS. Descriptions of co-op courses may be found at undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/academicprograms/eas.shtml.
Internships
Internship opportunities include a field experience working on a computer science and engineering project in a real-world setting under the joint direction of a supervisor from industry and a faculty advisor from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Projects selected should integrate the material learned in academic courses. Upon completing the internship (CSE 496), the student is expected to have fulfilled an internship contract. Only P/F grades will be given; therefore, internships may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS program.
Research
Undergraduate research experiences are available for course credit (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity or Independent Study) or as a paid assistant in the research laboratory of a faculty member. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity serves as a clearing house for information regarding undergraduate research opportunities.
Independent Study
Students pursue an area of computer science and engineering in which they are particularly interested. (May not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS)
Extracurricular Activities
- Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Student Association
- Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Student Chapter
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Student Chapter
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Links to Further Information About this Program
Last updated: Wednesday, 23-Apr-2008 15:42:53 EDT