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; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

The following course sequence will fulfill all 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 advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. For 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) click here. For cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) click here.

Requirements for the Computer Studies Major

Coursework for a major in business administration includes the following:

Required introductory courses (6 credits): CMIS 102/102A (or prior programming experience and an additional supplemental course) and IFSM 201
Programming language course (3 credits): Chosen from CMIS 140 and 141/141A, CMSC 130, and CMST 306
Foundation courses (6 credits): Chosen from CMIS 241 (or CMSC 230), IFSM 300 and 310, and CMST 340
Supplemental major courses (15 credits): Any upper-level CMST, CMIS, CMIT, CMSC, and IFSM courses
Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: MATH 107

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in computer studies. Coursework for the major is indicated by ±. 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 advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. For 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) click here. For cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) click here.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to Bachelor's Degree Requirements.

Computer Studies Degree Courses

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

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
(strongly recommended as first course)

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 arts and humanities requirement

± 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 biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

± 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 communications/writing requirement

± CMIS 141 Introductory Programming (3) or
CMIS 141A Fundamentals of Programming II or other 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 behavioral and social sciences requirement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

± CMST 306 Introduction to Visual Basic .NET Programming (3) or other supplemental major course

± CMIS 345 Object-Oriented Design and Programming (3) or other supplemental major course

± CMST 416 Advanced Visual Basic .NET Programming (3) or other supplemental major course

± CMST 385 Internet: A Practical Guide (3) or other supplemental major course

± CMST 386 Internet: An Advanced Guide (3) or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (46)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Minor

Business administration

Total credits for BS in computer studies (120)

Minor in Computer Studies

The computer studies 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 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.
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 computer studies requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework chosen from any 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.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and Bachelor's Degree Requirements.

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