Computer Science Major (CSIJ)

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, and similarly named computing programs. 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 judgments 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

To satisfy CAC/ABET accreditation requirements, all students must complete 15 credit hours of mathematics and 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
IEE 2610 - Engineering Statistics Credits: 3 hours
CS 1310 - Foundations of Computer Science Credits: 4 hours
(The additional credit counts towards electives.)

2. Laboratory Science

To satisfy CAC/ABET accreditation requirements, students must take at least 6 credits from 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
All credits over the 6 required count towards electives.

3. 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.

4. Minimum Grades

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

All courses with a CS prefix
ECE 2500
ECE 4570
Courses used for the Mathematics/Statistics requirement and the Laboratory Science requirement.
Courses used for the Technical Elective requirement.

5. Complete 122 Semester Credit Hours

Computer Science Requirements (24 hours)

CS 3310 - Data and File Structures Credits: 3 hours
CS 3550 - Network Fundamentals Credits: 3 hours
CS 4310 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms Credits: 3 hours
CS 4430 - Database Management Systems Credits: 3 hours
CS 4850 - Foundations of Programming Languages 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)
CYCS 4540 - Operating Systems for Cybersecurity Credits: 3 hours

Cognate Courses

Approved Laboratory Science Course Credits: 4 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Scientific Literacy with Lab Category)
Approved Technical Elective Credits: 3 hours
Approved Technical Elective Credits: 3 hours
Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 3 hours
Free WMU Elective Credits: 2 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)
CS 1120 - Computer Science II Credits: 4 hours
ECE 2500 - Digital Logic Credits: 3 hours
ECE 4570 - Introduction to Computer Architecture Credits: 4 hours
IEE 2610 - Engineering Statistics Credits: 3 hours
(Satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Foundations – Oral and Digital Communications Category)
CYCS 1200 - Programming in C for Cybersecurity Credits: 3 hours
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

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.

Approved Technical Elective

Technical Elective courses must be taken from the set of CS 5000-level courses covering specific computing topics, ECE courses, MATH courses with at least MATH 1180 as a prerequisite, and STAT courses with at least MATH 1180 as a prerequisite.

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.

Accelerated Graduate Degree Program

Students in this major are eligible for the department’s Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP). Interested students should consult WMU’s Graduate Catalog and, in their sophomore or early junior year, contact the department for details.