Natural Science Division
Computer Science
This site presents the Computer Science/Mathematics curriculum. If
you would like a printed copy of the curriculum, it is possible to
print the pages from your Web browser. However, if you would like a
higher quality printout you can
download one 
that
contains all the information at this site in an Adobe PDF format
document. It can be read or printed with version 3.01 or later of
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Background
Seaver College is the undergraduate liberal arts college of
Pepperdine University. This document describes the curriculum for the
major in Computer Science/Mathematics. The college does not offer a
major in Computer Science apart from Mathematics. Nor does it offer
an advanced degree in either discipline. Historically, Seaver College
has emphasized quality teaching at the undergraduate level while
encouraging scholarly activity by its faculty especially when it can
have a positive impact on the undergraduate experience.
Philosophy of the Curriculum
The curriculum is based on three themes—abstraction, integration,
and languages and paradigms.
Abstraction
Abstraction is based on the concept of layers in which the details
of one layer of abstraction are hidden from layers at a higher level.
A computer scientist uses abstraction as a thinking tool to
understand a system, to model a problem, and to master complexity.
The ability to abstract cannot be acquired in a single course, but
must be developed over several years. Consequently, all courses in
the curriculum emphasize the abstraction process, not only as a
framework to understand the discipline but also as a tool to solve
problems.
Integration
The curriculum focuses on how well the courses are integrated as
opposed to how many courses it has to offer. There are two aspects of
integration in the curriculum—integration between courses and the
integration of theory and practice. Both aspects of integration are
important. Without integration between courses the curriculum becomes
simply a collection of unrelated facts with no unity based on
fundamental principles. The integration of theory and practice not
only serves to re-enforce the students’ understanding of abstract
concepts but also provides them with insight and appreciation of the
practical solutions at hand.
Languages and Paradigms
Because of the continued evolution of programming languages and
paradigms we would do our students a disservice by emphasizing only
one programming language or paradigm throughout the curriculum.
Students should be multilingual and should experience multiple
paradigms in their undergraduate careers. Our curriculum seeks to
strike the proper balance between breadth and depth. Too much breadth
will not equip students with the detailed skills necessary to solve
realistic problems. Too much depth in one language or paradigm will
give students a narrow vision that makes it difficult to consider
multiple approaches to a problem.
The curriculum emphasizes in-depth proficiency the first two years
and more breadth the last two years. The balance is achieved by
choosing one programming language for the first three semesters and
another closely related language for the second semester of the
second year. Courses in the third and fourth years introduce other
programming paradigms based on different languages.
The language choice for the first two years is driven by both
pedagogical and practical industry concerns. Pedagogical concerns
are important during the first two years, because this is when
students begin to form algorithmic thinking patterns and develop
problem-solving skills. The criteria are that the programming
environment should be simple to learn yet powerful enough to
illustrate fundamental concepts of computing. Skill in a practical
language is necessary for students to be well equipped for their
post graduate careers. The languages for the third and fourth years
are chosen for the variety of programming paradigms on which they
are based.
Intended Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the student should
possess
- a mathematical foundation that underpins all scientific
endeavors and especially the discipline of computer science. This
foundation is sufficient for graduate work in computer science but
not in mathematics
- a working knowledge of programming paradigms and software
design principles, and programming languages that are used to
implement them
- knowledge of fundamental structures in computer science such as
computer architecture/organization, operating systems, and computer
networks
- knowledge of a variety of other topics in computer science such
as databases, artificial intelligence, and computer graphics.
The courses in computer science/mathematics are designed to:
- Provide an opportunity for students in other fields to learn about computers
and their applications.
- Provide specialized training for science students who will use computer
science and mathematics as tools.
- Prepare the computer science/mathematics major for employment in
industry, teaching, or for admission to graduate school.
Course Requirements
Click on the Course ID for a detailed description. Click on
the Course Description for the description from the Course Catalog.
To enroll in any computer science or mathematics course that lists prerequisite
courses, a student must earn a grade of “C-” or better
in all of the prerequisites.
In addition to the general education requirements, the computer
science/mathematics major must complete the following:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/Mathematics
The Standard Sequence
The courses are divided into a first year core, a second year
core, and an upper division curriculum. Following is a list of the
courses that are taken in the normal sequence.
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
*Note: Only one elective required
The Computer Science Minor
The Computer Science minor is satisfied by completing a core of
five courses plus one elective.
Minor Core
Minor Elective
The Computer Science Contract Major
Seaver College offers an alternative to the established majors for students with at least 30 units of college credit and a minimum grade point average of 2.5. The individualized major is established by faculty approval of a contract that specifies the courses that are to be taken for the contract major. The contract typically specifies courses from two separate disciplines, and includes study in each discipline with more depth than is usual for a minor. The most common contract with computer science as one of its components includes business as its other component, but disciplines as varied as philosophy and music have been included with computer science in the past.
The computer science part of the contract major is satisfied by completing a core of seven courses plus one elective.
Contract Major Core
Contract Major Elective
The courses for the other component of the contract major are established by the faculty from the discipline of the other component.
The above program requirements are excerpted from the Seaver catalog. This Web page is not an official binding document. To view the actual catalog visit: http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/catalog/
You may email your questions to the Seaver Natural Science Division Office Manager 
.
