Computer Science - Theory and Analysis

The Theory and Analysis program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; telephone (410) 347-7700. It provides a greater depth and breadth in computer science than the general option (see below). The Theory and Analysis option includes additional emphasis in science and engineering, as well as the minor in mathematics. Students planning computer science as a profession or contemplating graduate study in computer science are urged to enroll in this major.

The educational objectives for the Computer Science-Theory and Analysis program are:

To produce graduates with breadth and depth in computer science sufficient for continued intellectual growth in computing disciplines.
To produce graduates with knowledge and skills sufficient to be employable and successful in a variety of professional computing positions.
To produce graduates who will be able to work collaboratively and in team environments.
To produce graduates with an awareness and understanding of social and ethical issues in the field of computer science.
To produce graduates with competency in oral and written communication skills.
To produce graduates whose backgrounds in computer science qualify them for entry into a variety of graduate programs.

Baccalaureate Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Theory and Analysis program will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing CS 4900 Software Systems Development I.

Requirements

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

1. Laboratory Sciences

To satisfy CAC/ABET accreditation requirements, all students must complete laboratory science requirements consisting of a two-course, calculus-based physics sequence: (PHYS 2050 and 2060, and 2070 and 2080)

Additional Laboratory Sciences

There are two additional laboratory science courses for science majors. Currently these courses include: (The Geosciences courses contain their own laboratory elements.)

BIOS 1100 - Biology Laboratory Credits: 1 hour
and
BIOS 1120 - Principles of Biology Credits: 3 hours
CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3 hours
and
CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 1 hour
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3 hours
and
CHEM 1130 - General Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 1 hour
GEOS 1300 - Physical Geology Credits: 4 hours
GEOS 1310 - Historical Geology Credits: 4 hours

2. General Education

General Education requirements include one course from each of the distribution areas I, II, III, IV, V, VI (included in the program), VII, and VIII with no more than two courses in the same department and at least two courses at the 3000-4000 level. CAC/ABET accreditation also requires 30 hours of general education in the humanities and social sciences. This can be met with COM 1040 and PHIL 4100 (both required in the programs) plus 24 hours of non-science/non-mathematics courses which may be chosen from Areas I, II, III, IV, and V. See advisor for all approved courses.

3. Grade Point Average

A grade point average of 2.0 or better must be earned in courses presented for graduation with CS, and ECE prefixes and in courses with MATH, and STAT prefixes.

4. Complete 122 Semester Credit Hours

Complete the following program of 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 (15 hours)

Science Elective with Laboratory Credits: 4 hours
Some science course electives (e.g., BIOS 1100 & 1120, CHEM 1100 & 1110, and GEOS 1300) can also be counted towards General Education requirements. Students are recommended to use two of these courses.
General Education Credits: 4 hours

CS 1110 - Computer Science I Credits: 4 hours
IME 1020 - Technical Communication Credits: 3 hours

Second Semester (15 hours)

Science Elective with Laboratory Credits: 4 hours
Some science course electives (e.g., BIOS 1100 & 1120, CHEM 1100 & 1110, and GEOS 1300) can also be counted towards General Education requirements. Students are recommended to use two of these courses.

CS 1120 - Computer Science II Credits: 4 hours
ECE 2500 - Digital Logic Credits: 3 hours
MATH 1220 - Calculus I Credits: 4 hours
or
MATH 1700 - Calculus I, Science and Engineering Credits: 4 hours

Third Semester (15 hours)

General Education Credits: 3 hours

CS 2230 - Computer Organization and Assembly Language Credits: 3 hours
MATH 1230 - Calculus II Credits: 4 hours
or
MATH 1710 - Calculus II, Science and Engineering Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 2050 - Mechanics and Heat Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 2060 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credits: 1 hour

Fourth Semester (15 hours)

General Education Credits: 4 hours
Any General Education course (except from AREAS VI or VIII) may be swapped with the AREA IV course in the 4th semester as long as the course is a four credit hour course.

CS 3310 - Data and File Structures Credits: 3 hours
MATH 1450 - Discrete Mathematical Structures Credits: 3 hours
PHYS 2070 - Electricity and Light Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 2080 - Electricity and Light Laboratory Credits: 1 hour

Fifth Semester (15 hours)

General Education Credits: 2 hours

COM 1040 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 hours
CS 2240 - System Programming Concepts Credits: 3 hours
CS 4850 - Programming Languages Credits: 3 hours
MATH 2300 - Elementary Linear Algebra Credits: 4 hours

Sixth Semester (16 hours)

General Education Credits: 3 hours

CS 4310 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms Credits: 3 hours
CS 4800 - Theory of Computation I: Automata Credits: 3 hours
ECE 3570 - Computer Architecture Credits: 3 hours
STAT 3640 - Statistical Methods Credits: 4 hours

Seventh Semester (16 hours)

Elective Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
Elective Free Elective Credits: 4 hours

CS 4540 - Operating Systems Credits: 3 hours
CS 4900 - Software Systems Development I: Requirements and Design Credits: 3 hours
PHIL 4100 - Professional Ethics Credits: 3 hours

Eighth Semester (15 hours)

Elective Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
Elective Approved CS Elective Credits: 3 hours
General Education Credits: 3 hours
General Education Credits: 3 hours

CS 4910 - Software Systems Development II: Implementation and Testing Credits: 2 hours
CS 4980 - The Computer Science Profession Credits: 1 hour

CS Elective

CS Elective means the student must take an approved computer science elective course. Such electives may be described in the undergraduate catalog or in departmental material published traditionally or on its web site. Students should consult with a departmental advisor before enrolling in one of these courses.

Free Elective

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