Computer Science Department Website

Cal Poly Catalog

Computer Science

About Computer Science

The Computer Science Department educates students in the disciplines of computer science and software engineering, and teaches them to apply their education to solve practical problems in a socially responsible way. Pursuant to the department's educational mission, faculty engage in research and professional development that allows them to remain current in their fields and to provide technological leadership to the university community. As a student, you can find more information below that pertains directly to your major. 

Faculty Advisors

CSC does not have assigned Faculty Advisors, however you can check out your department faculty directory to see what their research interest areas are: CSC Faculty Directory Page.

Declaring / Switching Your Concentration

It is important to declare your concentration to ensure your Degree Progress Report and Academic Progress Level is up to date for registration.  

In order to declare your concentration, please:

In order to switch your concentration, please:

Please Note: A change of concentration will appear on your transcript. 

Course Substitutions

As curriculum changes between different catalog years, you may question what courses automatically transfer between catalogs. The following changes below apply to CSC majors only and a petition will not be required.

All CSC Students:

Your catalog You may use: To substitute for:
2020-21 through 2022-26 CSC 490 Topic: Senior Project Capstone I (2) & CSC 490 Topic: Senior Project Capstone II (2) CSC 491 (2) & CSC 492 (2)
2021-22 through 2022-26 Any approved GE Area C2 course (4)  PHIL 230/231 (4)
2020-21 through 2022-26 An upper-division course that has CSC 202 or 203 listed as a pre-requisite Technical Elective with a pre-requisite requirement
2020-21
CSC 305, 313, 369, 371, 377, 378, 480, 493, CPE 315, DATA 301
Technical Elective with a pre-requisite requirement
2021-22 through 2022-26 CSC 305, 313, 325, 369, 371, 377, 378, 480, 493, CPE 315, DATA 301 Technical Elective w/ pre-req in General Curriculum
2021-2022 CSC 410, CSC 421, CSC 493, CSC 513, CSC 522, CSC 587, CPE 315, CPE 316, CPE/PHYS 345 Technical Electives in General Curriculum
2017-19 through 2020-21 CSC 421, CSC 493, CSC 513, CSC 522, CSC 587, CPE 316, CPE/PHYS 345 Technical Electives 
2021-2022 PHYS 211 (4) Approved External Technical Elective in General Curriculum
2017-19 through 2022-26 PHYS 211 (4) Approved External Technical Elective  
2021-22 through 2022-26 IME 403 (4) External Technical Elective in General Curriculum
2021-22 through 2022-26 IME 403 (4) External Technical Elective in Graphics Concentration 
2017-19 through 2020-21 IME 403 (4) Approved External Technical Elective 
2021-22 through 2022-26

4 additional units of approved CSC Technical Electives

-or-

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science A Test

 CPE/CSC 123 (4)
2017-19 through 2020-21 STAT 305 (4) 

Math/Stat Elective (4)

-OR-

External Technical Elective (no double counting)
2021-22 through 2022-26 for General Curriculum STAT 305 (4)

Math/Stat Elective (4)

-OR-

External Technical Elective (no double counting)
2021-22 through 2022-26 for Graphics Concentration STAT 305 (4)

Math/Stat Elective (4)

-OR-

External Technical Elective (no double counting)
2021-22 through 2022-26 for Intro to Probability and Simulation Concentration STAT 305 (4)

Math/Stat Elective (4)

 
     
2021-22 through 2022-26 for Game Development Concentration STAT 305 (4)

Math/Stat Elective (4)

 
2015-17 through 2020-21 CSC 248 (4) CSC 348 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 Any GE Area A3 Course (4) ENGL 149 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 CSC/CPE 425 Technical Elective
2015-17 through 2020-21 CSC 524  Technical Elective 
2015-17 through 2022-26 CPE/EE 133 (4) + CPE/EE 233 (4) 

CSC 225 (4)

Note: this also applies to students pursuing a CSC minor.
2015-17 through 2020-21 4 additional units of approved CSC Technical Electives CSC 431 
2015-17 through 2019-20 Free Elective Upper Division Elective
2013-15 through 2020-21 PHIL 323 CSC 300
2013-15 through 2020-21 CSC 549 Technical Elective with a pre-req 
2013-15 through 2017-19 CSC 497 + CSC 498 (4 units)

CSC 491 + CSC 492 (4 units)
2015-17 through 2017-19 CSC/CPE 469 Approved Technical Elective
2013-15 through 2017-19 CSC 313, 377, 482, and 487 Approved Technical Elective
2013-15 through 2017-19 CSC 448, 482, and 487 Approved Technical Elective with Prerequisite
2013-15 through 2017-19 STAT 334, STAT 434, or IME 315 Approved External Technical Elective
2009-11 through 2015-17 CSC 400 Approved Technical Elective (limited to 4 total units)
2015-17 STAT 321 or STAT 542 STAT 312
2015-17 CSC 492 (3 units) CSC 492 (2 units) - the additional unit will count as an Approved Technical Elective
2015-17 CSC 141 (or transfer equivalent) if taken prior to Fall 2016 CSC 348

CSC Transfer Students:

Your catalog you may use: to substitute for:
2019 through 2022-26 Any transfer (non-Cal Poly) coursework that articulates to an approved B2 Life Science (4) Life Science Support Elective (4)
2021-22 through 2022-26 Any GE Area C2 course (4) PHIL 230/231 (4)
2015-17 through 2022-26 4 excess units in transfer from STEM coursework (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) CPE 123

Proposed Course Offerings

Flowcharts

Department flowcharts provide an example of an academic plan. The flowcharts serve as a guide for planning purposes.  

Curriculum Sheets

Curriculum sheets provide an outline of all the requirements needed to complete a degree.

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Tutoring

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