Computer Science
(Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Degrees Offered)

The baccalaureate programs in Computer Science emphasize the entire scope of computer science, ranging from basic hardware principles through the system and application software levels to the use and management of such systems.

The ABET Accredited Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students wanting a maximum technical preparation for their career.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students wanting to apply their knowledge of computer science to another area of study.  

Both degrees have Core requirements, Major requirements, and Directed Electives. The Core provides basic coursework to ensure that the graduate is well-rounded as an educated individual.

The Major contains those CS and SWE courses considered fundamental to the field, regardless of any specialization. The Directed Electives provide depth beyond the Core to support the student’s professional preparation.

Both degrees require a grade of "C" or better in all CS and SWE courses applied to degree requirements.

Students in the BS degree program are required to have at least three science-related courses subject to the following rules:

• Two lab science courses used to satisfy Area D of the core
• The remainder may be taken as lab sciences or as other approved courses that provide breadth and/or depth in the natural sciences or otherwise explore the scientific method
• Two of the lab science courses must be a sequence in the same discipline

Bachelor of Science (BSCS) Program Objectives

I.  Students: Meet the educational needs and prepare them for careers within the discipline. Computer Science students should be well-versed in not only the fundamentals but also develop skills in problem solving, logic, organization, and ethics.

1.       To provide graduates with a thorough grounding in key principles and practices of computing, and in the mathematical principles that underpin them

2.       To provide graduates with an understanding of the ethical aspects of computing within society

3.       To provide graduates with applicable communication and team skills to be used in computing careers

4.       To prepare graduates for employment in the computing profession

II.     Curriculum: Maintain a challenging curriculum that is consistent with national standards and regional industrial needs. 

1.       Maintain a curriculum that is consistent with national recommended standards (ACM & IEEE Computer Society)

2.       Maintain an up-to-date curriculum by taking into account significant changes within the discipline and regional industrial needs

Bachelor of Science (BSCS) Learning Outcomes

Each graduate of the program should be able to:

1.       Convey the understanding of, and ability to solve, problems through artifacts of computing such as specifications, code and other written documents.

2.       Demonstrate and apply their knowledge of fundamental data structures and algorithms to solve problems.

3.       Describe and explain the major concepts in the areas of operating systems, programming languages, architecture, and distributed computing.

4.       Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in teams on computing related projects.

5.       Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate technical information.

6.       Demonstrate an understanding of social, professional and ethical issues related to computing.

7.       Obtain the skills and knowledge to be employable in positions that utilize their computing education.

Bachelor of Arts (BACS) Program Objectives

To meet the educational needs of the students and prepare them for careers using their computing knowledge.  Students should be well versed in not only the fundamentals but also develop skills in problem solving, logic, organization, and ethics.

A.       To provide graduates with a thorough grounding in key principles and practices of computing.

B.       To provide graduates with an understanding of the ethical aspects of computing within society.

C.       To provide graduates with applicable communication and team skills to be used in computing careers.

D.      To provide graduates with another area of study where they can apply their computing knowledge or expand the context for their computing knowledge.

E.       To prepare graduates for employment using their computing knowledge.

Bachelor of Arts (BACS) Learning Outcomes

Each graduate of the program should be able to:

1.        Convey the understanding of, and ability to solve, problems through artifacts of computing such as specifications, code and other written documents.

2.        Demonstrate and apply their knowledge of fundamental data structures and algorithms to solve problems.

3.        Describe and explain the major concepts in the areas of operating systems, programming languages, architecture, and distributed computing.

4.        Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in teams on computing related projects.

5.        Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate technical information.

6.        Demonstrate an understanding of social, professional and ethical issues related to computing.

7.        Obtain the skills and knowledge to be employable in positions that utilize their computing education.

8.        Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between their minor field of study and the computing field.

Updated 5-Sept-2007 by B. Morrison