Bachelors (BS) in Computer Science
Overview
The computer science major offers a 60-semester-hour core course of study with an optional 26-semester-hour cybersecurity concentration or an optional 22-semester-hour artificial intelligence & data science concentration. Students are required to obtain a minimum grade of C- in all courses taken for the major.
Degree Outcomes
Graduates with a BS in computer science will:
- Demonstrate problem-solving competency through programming and software development
- Understand applications of discrete structures and algorithms
- Apply theoretical and practical system implementations (architecture, operating systems, networking, database)
- Apply professional/ethical responsibility to their work
- Understand cultural influences within the technical industry
Major Requirements
Complete the following:
A foundational course for the study of computer science and information systems. The course covers an overview of programming methodology and gives the student an ability to write computer programs using standard style and structure. Programming projects are completed in one or more high-level languages. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: High school algebra or equivalent.
A foundational course for the study of computer science and information systems. The course covers an overview of programming methodology and gives the student an ability to write computer programs using standard style and structure. Programming projects are completed in one or more high-level languages. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I or ENGR 152 Engineering Principles II.
An introduction to foundational concepts of low-level computer programming, including control structures, primitive data types, structs, bit fields, functions, memory management, and pointers, as well as standard tools such as preprocessors, compilers, linkers, and debuggers. Students will implement solutions using the C programming language. Prerequisite: CSIS 202 Introduction to Computer Science II or ENGR 152 Engineering Principles II. Additional course fee is required.
An introduction to the concepts of information organization and manipulation. The course covers basic sequential structures such as array-backed lists, singly- and doubly-linked lists, stacks, and queues, and moves on to more complex data structures such as trees, graphs, priority queues, and dictionaries. Programming projects are completed in one or more high-level languages. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I and CSIS 202 Introduction to Computer Science II.
An introduction to the formal processes and industry-standard tools used in producing quality software. The entire life cycle of software development is presented and utilized. Students work in teams to specify, design, implement, test, release, and maintain a non-trivial software project using a modern software development methodology. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: CSIS 202 Introduction to Computer Science II.
A study of the organization of database systems for information storage, retrieval, performance, and security. Examples of hierarchic, network, and relational-based systems are presented. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
An introduction to digital computer hardware architecture and organization. Topics include digital logic, processor design, instruction sets, and system architecture. Programs written in assembly language will be used to gain hands-on experience with the underlying system architecture. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
A study of the fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming, including data abstraction and typing, encapsulation, single and multiple inheritance, substitutability, static and dynamic polymorphism, generics, interfaces, and design patterns. Object-oriented solutions will be designed using UML class and sequence diagrams and implemented in one or more high-level languages. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
A study of the basic design of computer programming languages, with the greater emphasis placed on semantics (over syntax). A comparative analysis is made among several of the common languages. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
An introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms. The course covers the fundamentals of analyzing algorithms for correctness and time and space bounds. Topics include advanced sorting and searching methods, graph algorithms, geometric algorithms, matrix manipulations, string and pattern matching, set algorithms, and polynomial computations. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
A theoretical and practical survey of parallel processing, including a discussion of parallel architectures, parallel programming languages, and parallel algorithms. Students will program one or more parallel computers in a higher-level parallel language. Prerequisite: CSIS 460 Operating Systems. Additional course fee is required.
A study of the organization and architecture of computer systems. The major principles of operating systems are presented, along with case studies involving actual operating systems. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures.
Servant engineering is a two-semester course sequence taken in the student鈥檚 third year in the engineering program. In the servant engineering sequence, students apply their knowledge and design skills gained through coursework to a service-based project. Projects might require a multi-disciplinary team ranging from computer science to civil engineering, or they might be more focused on a specific skill-set. Each team has a faculty mentor who helps guide the project. Teams meet weekly with their faculty mentors and work through problem definition, specification development and conceptual development, with the goal of selecting a specific design for detailed design-and-build. Every project will be an opportunity to use the gifts that God has given us to serve others. Prerequisite: Engineering milestone. Final enrollment is contingent on approval from the College of Engineering. Additional course fee is required.
The projects that were initiated in the first semester are further developed through simulation, prototyping, and testing. Use of analytic, computer, experimental, and design techniques is applied throughout the project. The design sequence culminates in the construction of the projects, oral presentations, and formal written reports. Prerequisites: Engineering milestone and ENGR 381 Servant Engineering I. Students are expected to take ENGR 382 in the semester immediately following ENGR 381. Final enrollment is contingent on approval from the College of Engineering. Additional course fee is required.
In the senior design sequence, students apply their knowledge and design skills gained through course work to an industry-based project. In the first semester, interdisciplinary teams are formed to begin projects in conjunction with participating industrial sponsors. Necessary background research and feasibility studies are completed. Students must also consider the ethical, moral, environmental, and social impact of their designs. Collaboration with other departments of the university is encouraged. Prerequisites: Engineering milestone and senior status in the engineering major. Final enrollment is contingent on approval from the College of Engineering. Additional course fee is required.
The projects that were initiated in the first semester are further developed through simulation, prototyping, and testing. Use of analytic, computer, experimental, and design techniques is applied throughout the project. The design sequence culminates in the construction of the projects, oral presentations, and formal written reports. Prerequisites: Engineering milestone and ENGR 481 Senior Design I. Students are expected to take ENGR 482 in the semester immediately following ENGR 481. Final enrollment is contingent on approval from the College of Engineering. Additional course fee is required.
The class is a study of limits of functions, applications of derivatives, and an introduction to integration. Prerequisite: MATH 190 Precalculus Mathematics or sufficient score on Math Placement Exam (See Mathematics Department).
An introduction to discrete mathematics. Topics covered include sets, functions, math induction, combinatorics, recurrence, graph theory, trees, and networks.
Students must complete an additional 9 credit hours from the following options:
Computer Science (CSIS) coursework (5-9)
Introduction to digital systems and binary codes; Boolean algebra and digital logic devices; combinational logic circuits and design methods; ROM and RAM memory elements; sequential logic circuits and design methods. Laboratory experience includes TTL logic circuits and CAD tools. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ENGR 152 Engineering Principles II or CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I.
Optional Concentrations
In addition to the Computer Science major course requirements, students can elect to add a Cybersecurity or an Artificial Intelligence & Data Science concentration and complete an additional 22-26-hours of coursework. The 9-hour elective requirement for the Computer Science major can be met by the courses required to complete the Cybersecurity or the Artificial Intelligence & Data Science concentration.
Complete the following:
Introduction to digital systems and binary codes; Boolean algebra and digital logic devices; combinational logic circuits and design methods; ROM and RAM memory elements; sequential logic circuits and design methods. Laboratory experience includes TTL logic circuits and CAD tools. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: ENGR 152 Engineering Principles II or CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I.
In a highly connected, data intensive, and cost-focused business environment, the practice of information security is not a business advantage; it is a customer requirement. Viruses, malware, trojans, denial of service attacks, phishing, and leaks have become headline news. Failure to insure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, costs companies millions, if not billions of dollars in legal settlements, lost business, and trade secrets. The course provides a broad overview of information security principles and practices, including security models, risk management, access controls, intrusion detection and prevention, cryptography, software vulnerabilities, and ethical issues. The course also provides an overview of digital forensics. Students will learn techniques behind digital forensic investigations and evidence collection, and will cover the fundamental steps of the traditional computer forensic methodology, including building forensic workstations, collecting evidence, extracting artifacts, identifying unknown files and reassembling evidence from network packet captures and device images. Prerequisite: CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I. Additional course fee is required.
An introduction to the field of communications among computers and computer systems, with an emphasis placed on local area network (LAN) systems and the OSI model. Students will experience the installation of one or more network systems. Prerequisite: CSIS 202 Introduction to Computer Science II or CSIS 344 Introduction to Data Science. Additional course fee is required.
As more communications are conducted via mobile and cellular technologies, these technologies have become critical to both industry and private life. The course covers how data is processed and transmitted using mobile and wireless devices. Sample topics include but are not limited to: an overview of smart phone technologies, embedded operating systems, wireless and mobile specific protocols, mobile identifiers, location based services, Internet of Things, drone technologies and more. Prerequisite: CSIS 312 Computer Security and Digital Forensics. Additional course fee is required.
A study of a number of advanced topics such as cellular and mobile technologies and their security, system vulnerabilities and penetration testing of corporate networks/systems, risk management of information systems, and other current topics. Students will also be introduced to both international and U.S. cyber laws including reporting compliance. Prerequisite: CSIS 312 Computer Security and Digital Forensics. Additional course fee is required.
An introduction to system administration of a local area network (LAN). Topics covered include adding and removing users; monitoring and controlling processes; adding, removing, and managing groups; mounting and unmounting filesystems; monitoring and troubleshooting a TCP/IP network; managing and controlling network and system security; and administration of network file systems. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 350 Data Communications and Networks.
An introduction to the concepts of defense in-depth, a security industry best practice. Topics include firewalls, backup systems, redundant systems, disaster recovery, and incident handling. Upon completion, students should be able to plan effective information security defenses, backup systems, and disaster recovery procedures. The course requires a lab component that provides practical experience working with current technologies for defense. Prerequisite: CSIS 413 Ethical Hacking. Additional course fee is required.
Many security problems in software occur when software developers make poor implementation decisions or unwittingly introduce bugs into their code. The course focuses on many of the classic flaws in systems that can lead to security problems including: buffer overflows, format string problems, race conditions, memory leaks, etc. It also covers many web-application specific topics such as SQL injection attacks and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 360 Computer Architecture and Assembly Language.
Complete the following:
In this course, you will learn to identify, evaluate, and capture business analytic opportunities to create value. You will learn basic analytic methods and be able to analyze case studies on organizations. We will explore the challenges that can arise in starting and using analytics in organizations. The course emphasizes that business analytics is not solely a theoretical discipline: these techniques are used to provide real insights and improve the speed, reliability, and quality of decisions. The concepts learned in this class will help students identify opportunities in which business analytics can be used to improve performance and support important decisions. Prerequisite: A grade of B- or higher in BUSN 301 Intro to Business Intelligence.
This course provides an introduction as well as hands-on experience in Tableau and data visualization. It introduces students to design principles for creating meaningful displays of quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate managerial decision-making. A primary emphasis is placed on storytelling with data and developing competency in Tableau. Prerequisites: A grade of B- or higher in BUSN 301 Intro to Business Intelligence.
An introduction to foundational concepts in data science, including: information retrieval and storage, preprocessing, visualization, exploratory data analysis, applied machine learning, research methods, and experimental design. Students will develop solutions to computational problems spanning a variety of disciplines using state-of-the-art scientific programming tools and techniques, with an emphasis on the interpretation and presentation of experimental results. Additional course fee required. Prerequisite: CSIS 201 Introduction to Computer Science I or by instructor permission.
An introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of artificial intelligence (AI), knowledge representation, reasoning and problem solving, AI search techniques, and moral and ethical considerations related to the use of AI-based systems. AI solutions will be developed in an appropriate AI language. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CSIS 310 Data Structures. (CSIS 430 Analysis of Algorithms preferred.)
An introduction to machine learning with application. The course covers the fundamentals of classification and regression, as well as the methodology behind the design and implementation of various models. Students will be introduced to a variety of topics including parameter estimation, model training/fitting, goodness of fit, generalization, regularization, inference, and objective and loss functions. Along the way, students will use practical tools for building machine learning and statistical models, and will be exposed to applications of machine learning and statistical models and related mathematics. Prerequisite: CSIS 344 Introduction to Data Science. Additional course fee required.
This course covers the topics of integration techniques, applications of integrals, and infinite series. Other topics potentially covered include polar coordinates, parametric equations, and differential equations. Prerequisite: MATH 201 Calculus I.
Introduction to probability and statistics with content and application directed toward the engineering and science disciplines. Topics to be covered include methods of describing data, probability, random variables and their distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: MATH 202 Calculus II or equivalent.