Dec 06, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science Major (CSIJ)


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The Computer Science program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Computer Science Program Criteria. The program contains both practical applications and underlying foundations of the discipline.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates will:

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


Student Outcomes

Students will have an ability to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. 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:

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/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 12 categories. Six of the courses are designated within the Computer Science program requirements and six 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 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)


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

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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