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Computer Science

Computer Science

Associate Degrees

Associate in Arts Degree

Software Development

Students may earn the above-named associate degree by completing a certificate of achievement and the general education courses required for MiraCosta's Associate in Arts degree (see Associate Degrees). Students should meet with a MiraCosta counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written educational plan for the specific degree or certificate they wish to earn.

Associate in Science Degree

Computer Science for Transfer

Students completing this associate degree will have completed lower-division major preparation requirements for a computer science degree, an emphasis or option within a computer science degree, or a degree considered similar to computer science at a participating California State University (CSU) campus.

Following transfer to a participating CSU campus, students will be required to complete no more than 60 units to obtain a bachelor’s degree; however, some CSU campuses may require additional lower-division major preparation. This degree may not be appropriate preparation for students transferring to a CSU campus not accepting this degree or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. Students should consult with a MiraCosta counselor for further information regarding the most efficient pathway to transfer as a computer science major and to determine which CSU campuses are participating in this program.

Graduation Requirements
  • Complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units. 
  • Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or "P" or better.
  • Complete the CSU-GE (Plan B) or IGETC (Plan C)* general education pattern. *Students completing IGETC may be awarded the degree, but they must complete a course from Area 1C: Oral Communication to meet CSU admission requirements.
  • Obtain a minimum CSU-transferable GPA of 2.0.
  • Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.
Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to develop communication, critical thinking, algorithmic analysis, programming, and problem solving skills that will effectively prepare them for advanced study in computer science at the university level.

Course Requirements
Required courses: 
CS 112Introduction to Computer Science II: Java3
CS 113Basic Data Structures and Algorithms3
CS 220Computer Architecture and Assembly Language3
CS 226Discrete Structures4
MATH 150Calculus and Analytic Geometry I *5
or MATH 150H Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (Honors)
MATH 155Calculus and Analytic Geometry II *4
or MATH 155H Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (Honors)
PHYS 151Principles of Physics I *4
or PHYS 151H Principles of Physics I (Honors)
BIO 204Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology *4
or BIO 204H Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology (Honors)
or CHEM 150 General Chemistry I: For Science Majors
or CHEM 150H General Chemistry I: For Science Majors (Honors)
or PHYS 152 Principles of Physics II
or PHYS 152H Principles of Physics II (Honors)
Total Units30
*

Course satisfies a general education requirement on the CSU-GE or IGETC general education (GE) pattern. To ensure this degree is completed with no more than 60 units, students should select courses that will also satisfy a GE requirement. Note: All of the BIO, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS courses listed are also GE courses.

NOTE: Students are strongly advised to select courses that meet lower-division major preparation requirements at their transfer university and to complete the History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement prior to transfer.

Certificate

Certificate of Achievement

Software Development

This certificate provides a strong foundation for knowledge of basic object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques and data structures used in computer science. Students gain experience in several OOP programming languages and in analyzing and assessing problems and formulating appropriate solutions. Completing this certificate will help students advance in their careers as computer programming professionals and solidify the foundation of their computer science skills.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to analyze, design, and develop mature software solutions to complex and abstract programming problems utilizing efficient and appropriate algorithms while working alone or cooperatively in a team. Students will also be to competently explain and present the code and the results both verbally and in writing.

Course Requirements
Required courses: 
CS 111Introduction to Computer Science I: Java3
CS 112Introduction to Computer Science II: Java3
CS 113Basic Data Structures and Algorithms3
CS 150C++ Programming3
CS 210Software Engineering3
CS 220Computer Architecture and Assembly Language3
Select at least 6 elective units from the following:6
Fundamentals of Scripting Languages
Mobile Application Development
Programming with Python
Advanced Programming with Python
Advanced C++ Programming
C# and the .NET Framework
Discrete Structures
Discrete Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics (Honors)
Project Management
Total Units24

Certificate of Proficiency

Game Developer

This certificate provides the focused skill set necessary for video game development. Students gain experience in writing efficient code and designing the user experience while developing strong problem-solving skills. Curriculum emphasizes the data structures, algorithms, and software architecture techniques used to create games. Completing this certificate will help students advance their careers as game developers and solidify the foundation of their computer science skills.

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental techniques of video game design and development.

Course Requirements
Required courses: 
CS 111Introduction to Computer Science I: Java3
or CS 150 C++ Programming
CS 155C# and the .NET Framework3
Select one course from the following:3
UI/UX Design
Animation and Interactivity
Programming for Animation, Interactivity, and Games
Total Units9

Certificate of Proficiency

Mobile Application Development

The Mobile Application Development certificate offers students familiar with programming languages or just starting out the opportunity to specialize in mobile app development for smartphones and tablets with an open-source platform. Students employ active learning with Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), frameworks, APIs, designing and handling user input, designing layouts, application events, managing navigation, and core device features, such as GPS, accelerometers, and touch gestures.

Program Student Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental techniques of mobile application development.

Course Requirements
Required courses: 
CS 111Introduction to Computer Science I: Java3
CS 112Introduction to Computer Science II: Java3
CS 134Mobile Application Development3
Select one course from the following:3
UI/UX Design
Animation and Interactivity
Programming for Animation, Interactivity, and Games
Total Units12

How to Read Course Descriptions

For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available on the Courses and Programs webpage.

Courses

CS 101: Introduction to Computer Science Principles

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces beginning or exploring students to core principles, theories, and topics in computer science while emphasizing their relevance in society. Topics include general computational problem-solving techniques, design of digital devices, how computers work, and how to design, implement, test, and document programs in both an interactive and a high-level programming language (Python). This course is highly recommended for students prior to taking a beginning programming class (CS 111, CS 150, CS 130, CS 138, or CS 155), non-computer science majors, or those interested in exploring computer science. C-ID COMP-112.

CS 111: Introduction to Computer Science I: Java

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces object-oriented programming and concepts designed primarily for students majoring in computer science and engineering who have some programming fundamentals. The course uses topics of personal and social relevance to investigate the impacts of computing through exploring language basics, including control structures, data types, input/output, operators, classes, methods and parameters, basic inheritance, and documentation practices as well as testing and verification techniques. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: No credit for CS 111 if taken after CS 112. C-ID COMP 122, ITIS-130.

CS 112: Introduction to Computer Science II: Java

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 111.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course uses topics of personal and social relevance to investigate the impacts of computing through exploring advanced object-oriented programming concepts such as abstraction, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. Topics include recursion, generics, event-driven programming, graphical user interfaces, file input and output, and exception handling.

CS 113: Basic Data Structures and Algorithms

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 112.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

The course uses topics of personal and social relevance to investigate the impact of computing through efficient algorithms and properly designed data structures. Students explore the software development process by developing effective solutions using industry-standard tools. Topics include searching, sorting, hashing, algorithm analysis, object-oriented design, collections, lists, stacks, queues, trees, sets, dictionaries, and graphs. C-ID COMP-132.

CS 130: Fundamentals of Scripting Languages

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: CS 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This course introduces students to scripting language(s) and webpage programming. Students develop, debug, implement, and integrate client-side scripts using automated tasking. Comparisons may be made among common scripting languages, such as JavaScript, PHP, Perl, and CGI.

CS 134: Mobile Application Development

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 112.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall

This course covers how to develop applications for smartphones and tablets with the Android open-source platform. Topics include the Model-View-Controller architecture, designing and handling user input, defining activity layouts, application events, displaying images, managing navigation, and core device features, such as GPS, the Google Maps API, accelerometers, and touch gestures. Students leverage and expand their Java programming knowledge to build mobile applications from start to finish.

CS 138: Programming with Python

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: CS 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces the Python programming language and its features. Python, a dynamic, object-oriented, extensible language, is perfect for the beginner and also meets industry needs. Python is well-suited for applications ranging from simple data manipulation to large, complex applications.

CS 139: Advanced Programming with Python

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 138.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring

This course continues with the Python programming language, using topics of personal and social relevance to investigate the impact of computing. This course includes data structures and libraries for modularization, data extraction and visualization, web APIs, server applications, and an introduction to machine learning.

CS 150: C++ Programming

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Using an object-oriented approach to design and programming in the C++ language, this course covers data input/output, data types, control structures, operators, functions, and the operating environment. Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to construct moderately complex programs in C++. C-ID COMP-122.

CS 151: Advanced C++ Programming

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 150.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

In this advanced programming course, students design and implement increasingly complex C++ programs that build upon skills acquired in C++ Programming (CS 150). Students also develop appropriate and efficient methods to test their programs. Topics include polymorphism, inheritance, class libraries, the standard template library, pointers, advanced file input/output operations, recursion, virtual functions, exception handling, dynamic memory management, bitwise operators, and data structures, such as linked lists, stacks, queues, and binary trees.

CS 155: C# and the .NET Framework

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Advisory: CS 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall

This course provides an introduction to the C# ("C Sharp") programming language and the .NET framework. The C# language encompasses functional, generic, object-oriented, and component-oriented programming disciplines. The .NET framework provides the foundation of language interoperability for the Microsoft Windows operating system. C# is designed for modern software development and provides the tools to build applications quickly.

CS 210: Software Engineering

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 112.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course introduces students to team-based software development and engineering methods, including specification, design, implementation, testing, and process. It emphasizes team development, agile methods, software design, and use of software engineering tools, such as integrated development environments, version control, automated test framework, build automation, and software containers. As a culminating project, each team produces three deliverables: a Software Requirements Specification document, a Software Design Specification document, and an executable application satisfying stakeholder requirements.

CS 220: Computer Architecture and Assembly Language

Units: 3
Prerequisites: CS 112.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course introduces the fundamental physical and structural concepts of assembly language programming. Topics include machine architecture, memory addressing, input/output, interrupts, control structures, compiling, and linking. C-ID COMP-142.

CS 226: Discrete Structures

Units: 4
Prerequisites: CS 111, CS 138, or CS 150 and MATH 126, MATH 126S, or eligibility determined by the math placement process.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Designed for students majoring in computer science, this course introduces discrete mathematics, including logic, methods of proof, number theory, sets, counting, relations, recursion, recurrence relations, Boolean algebra, graphs, trees, and networks. Topics are illustrated with applications to computer science, including design and analysis of algorithms, undecidability, program correctness, and digital logic design. C-ID COMP-152.

CS 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-14
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. Fourteen unit maximum in any combination of work experience education and/or internship studies per semester.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.

CS 299: Occupational Work Experience Education

Units: 0.5-14
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid.
Enrollment Limitation: Career Center approval. Fourteen unit maximum in any combination of work experience education and/or internship studies per semester.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major or career area of interest. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.

Campus Locations

MiraCosta Community Learning Center

1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92058
760.795.8710
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Oceanside Campus Building

1 Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
760.757.2121
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta San Elijo Campus

3333 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.944.4449
888.201.8480
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MiraCosta Technology Career Institute Building

2075 Las Palmas Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.795.6820
888.201.8480
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