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Apr 18, 2024
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Undergraduate Catalog 2018-19 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Computer Science
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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.
- Graduates will develop mentoring skills and assume project leadership roles in the computing field.
- Graduates will be able to adapt to technological advances and become technical experts in at least one area of computing.
- Graduates will gain an understanding of business and organizational concepts within the computing field.
- Graduates will understand the roles of regulations and guidelines in their area of industry.
Student Outcomes:
Students will have:
a) an ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
b) an ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
c) an ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
d) an ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal
e) an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities
f) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
g) an ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society
h) recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
i) an ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice
j) an ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the trade-offs involved in design choices
k) an ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity
Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement
Students in this program will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing CS 4900: Software Systems Development I: Requirements and Design.
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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.
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 thirty 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: Approved Mandatory Laboratory Science Courses
Students may meet the laboratory science requirement by taking one of the following: Remaining Mathematics/Statistics and Laboratory Science
The remaining 10-11 credit hours of Mathematics/Statistics/LabScience courses must be approved by a department advisor.
2. General Education
A list of approved General Education courses can be found in the “Graduation and Academic Advising” section in this catalog.
General Education requirements include one course from each of the distribution areas I, II, III, IV, V, VII, and VIII with no more than two courses in the same department and at least two courses at the 3000-4000 level. A writing course is also required to satisfy Proficiency 1. The required lab science course (CHEM, GEOS and PHYS, though not BIOS) currently also satisfies distribution area VI.
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
The schedule below is an example of one leading to graduation in eight semesters, beginning with the fall semester.
First Semester (14 hours)
- General Education Credits: 3 hours
Second Semester (15 hours)
- General Education Credits: 4 hours
Third Semester (16 hours)
- General Education Credits: 3 hours
Fourth Semester (16 hours)
- General Education Credits: 3 hour
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Fifth Semester (16 hours)
- General Education Credits: 2 hours
- MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
- Laboratory Science Requirement (satisfies General Education Area VI) Credits: 4 hours
Sixth Semester (16 hours)
- General Education Credits: 3 hours
- MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Seventh Semester (16 hours)
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
- Approved CS Elective Credit: 3 hours
- MATH/STAT/SCIENCE Approved Elective Credits: 4 hours
Eighth Semester (13 hours)
- Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
- Free WMU Elective Credits: 2 hours
- General Education Credits: 3 hours
Approved CS Elective
The two CS Elective courses must be taken from the set of CS 5000-level courses covering specific computing topics described earlier. 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 General Education course nor a course in computer science. Given the total number of free electives, a student may often be able to concentrate these into one discipline and earn a minor in that department.
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