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Computer Studies

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in computer studies.

Major in Computer Studies

The computer studies major provides a flexible and coherent program of study integrating courses from several of the specialized computer and information fields. The interdisciplinary approach helps prepare students for a variety of entry-level and midlevel technical and management positions within the information technology field.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in computer studies will be able to

• Incorporate relevant theory, techniques, languages, and systems in developing computer-related solutions to practical problems.
• Apply appropriate knowledge, concepts, and principles to facilitate the management of change in computer technology.
• Conceptualize and manage the design and implementation of high-quality information systems.
• Design and develop computer software using a programming language.
• Use technology to research information and provide a critical analysis of alternatives to help organizations make informed decisions.
• Apply standard system practices to the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of information systems in an organization.
• Design and produce accurate and precise written documentation in all phases of the system development life cycle from preliminary feasibility studies to end-user documentation and manuals.
• Analyze information technology needs from historical and international perspectives in regard to advances in worldwide e-commerce.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in computer studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Computer Studies

Coursework for a major in computer studies includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in computer studies. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature,
or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3)
or CMIS 102A Fundamentals of Programming I

ENGL 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

CMIS 141 Introductory Programming (3)
or CMIS 141A Fundamentals of Programming II
or other computer programming language course

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG,GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

CMIS 241 Data Structures and Abstraction (3)
or other foundation major course (see Requirements for the Major)

IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
or other foundation major course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differ from first) and the cross-curricular requirement for historical perspective

ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3)
or foreign language or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in civic responsibility

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

COMM 393/393X Technical Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing

CMST 306 Introduction to Visual Basic.NET Programming (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

CMIS 345 Object-Oriented Design and Programming (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

CMST 416 Advanced Visual Basic.NET Programming (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

CMST 385 Internet: A Practical Guide (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

CMST 386 Internet: An Advanced Guide (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)

Recommended minor:
Business administration

Total credits for BS in computer studies (120)

Minor in Computing

The computing minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing a study of the principles and techniques used in developing computer-related solutions to practical problems.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in computing will be able to

• Incorporate relevant theory, techniques, languages, and systems in developing computer-related solutions to practical problems.
• Apply appropriate knowledge, concepts, and principles to facilitate the management of change in computer technology.
• Use technology to research information and provide a critical analysis of alternatives to help organizations make informed decisions.
• Apply standard system practices to the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of information systems in an organization.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in computing requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework chosen from courses in computer and information science, computer information technology, computer science, computer studies, and information systems management; at least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses may not duplicate those used to satisfy requirements for the major.

Computer Minor Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits with required and supplemental major courses)

Supplemental Minor Courses

Any CMST, CMIS, CMIT, CMSC, and IFSM courses (3)

Any course from above list (3)

Any upper-level course from above list (3)

Any upper-level course from above list (3)

Any upper-level course from above list (3)

Total credits for minor in computing (15)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 13 August 2008