Computer Science

The Computer Science program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. The program contains both practical applications and underlying foundations of the discipline.

Program Educational Objectives:

Graduates will:

Exhibit knowledge and skills sufficient for continued intellectual growth in computing.
Develop mentoring skills and assume project leadership roles in the computing field.
Be able to adapt to technological advances and become technical experts in at least one area of computing.
Gain an understanding of business and organizational concepts within the computing field.
Understand the roles of regulations and guidelines in their area of industry.

Student Outcomes:

Students will have an ability to:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgements in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Requirements

Students enrolling in the Computer Science Program are required to own a laptop computer with minimum specifications set by the department. These specifications will be posted on the department website.

There is no minor required.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science must satisfy the following requirements in addition to those required by Western Michigan University:

1. Mathematics/Statistics and Laboratory Science

To satisfy CAC/ABET accreditation requirements, all students must complete at least 30 credit hours of mathematics, statistics and laboratory science requirements which must include one approved laboratory science and a minimum of 15 credit hours in mathematics/statistics. Mathematics/statistics course work must include:

MATH 1220 - Calculus I Credits: 4 hours
OR
MATH 1700 - Calculus I, Science and Engineering Credits: 4 hours
MATH 2300 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 4 hours
STAT 2600 - Data Analysis Using R Credits: 4 hours
CS 1310 - Foundations of Computer Science Credits: 4 hours
(1 of the CS 1310 credits counts towards the 15 hour Math/Stat minimum)

Approved Mandatory Laboratory Science Courses

Students may meet the laboratory science requirement by taking one of the following:

BIOS 1610 - Molecular and Cellular Biology Credits: 4 hours
CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3 hours
And
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1 hour
GEOS 1300 - Physical Geology Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 2050 - University Physics I Credits: 4 hours
And
PHYS 2060 - University Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1 hour

Remaining Mathematics/Statistics and Laboratory Science

The remaining 10-11 credit hours of Mathematics/Statistics/Lab Science courses must be approved by a department advisor.

2. WMU Essential Studies Program Requirements

Students who have chosen the Computer Science curriculum will satisfy the WMU Essential Studies Program Requirements as outlined within the course listings below. To satisfy these requirements students take courses in twelve (12) categories. Six (6) of the courses are designated within the Computer Science program requirements and six (6) are free electives which students choose from a list of courses in the corresponding course category. Students must select courses that satisfy the Diversity and Inclusion and Planetary Sustainability outcomes when choosing their six (6) WMU Essential Studies free electives.

3. Minimum Grades

Students may receive at most two grades below a “C” in the following courses:

All courses with a CS prefix
ECE 2500
Courses used for the Math/Stat/Science 30 credit hour requirement including required Math/Stat courses, the required Science course and any courses included as the Math/Stat/Science electives

4. Complete 122 Semester Credit Hours

Computer Science Requirements (24 hours)

CS 3310 - Data and File Structures Credits: 3 hours
CS 4310 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms Credits: 3 hours
CS 3550 - Network Fundamentals Credits: 3 hours
CS 4541 - Computer Systems Fundamentals Credits: 3 hours
CS 4850 - Foundations of Programming Languages Credits: 3 hours
CS 4610 - Reusable Software Architectures Credits: 3 hours
CS 4900 - Software Systems Development I: Requirements and Design Credits: 3 hours
CS 4910 - Software Systems Development II: Implementation, Testing Credits: 3 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Local and National Perspectives Category)

Cognate Courses

Approved Laboratory Science Course Credits: 4 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Scientific Literacy with Lab Category)
MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
Approved CS Elective Credit: 3 hours
Approved CS Elective Credit: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours

CS 1110 - Computer Science I Credits: 4 hours
IEE 1020 - Technical Communication Credits: 3 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Writing Category)
MATH 1220 - Calculus I Credits: 4 hours
OR
MATH 1700 - Calculus I, Science and Engineering Credits: 4 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Quantitative Literacy Category)
COM 1040 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Oral and Digital Communications Category)
CS 1120 - Computer Science II Credits: 4 hours
ECE 2500 - Digital Logic Credits: 3 hours
STAT 2600 - Data Analysis Using R Credits: 4 hours
CS 1210 - Introduction to C Credits: 1 hour
CS 1310 - Foundations of Computer Science Credits: 4 hours
CS 2230 - Computer Organization and Assembly Language Credits: 3 hours
CS 3500 - Introduction to Web Technologies Credits: 3 hours
MATH 2300 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 4 hours
PHIL 3160 - Ethics in Engineering and Technology Credits: 3 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Science and Technology Category)
CS 3240 - System Programming Concepts Credits: 3 hours
CS 4430 - Database Management Systems Credits: 3 hours

Approved CS Elective

CS Elective courses must be taken from the set of CS 5000-level courses covering specific computing topics. Students should consult with a departmental advisor before enrolling in one of these courses, as certain 5000-level offerings are not appropriate for undergraduates. No more than one lower-level elective CS course (e.g., CS 2000 or CS 2100) may be included as an elective.

Free WMU Elective

Free Elective means the student may choose without restriction any course offered at the University. That is, the course need not be a WMU Essential Studies course nor a course in computer science.

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