The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over the long-term that computer scientists and database administrators should continue to enjoy excellent job prospects. As technology becomes more sophisticated and complex, however, these positions will demand a higher level of skill and expertise from their employees. Individuals with an advanced degree in computer science or computer engineering or with an MBA with a concentration in information systems should enjoy favorable employment prospects. College graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or MIS also should enjoy favorable prospects, particularly if they have supplemented their formal education with practical experience. Because employers continue to seek computer specialists who can combine strong technical skills with good business skills, individuals with a combination of experience inside and outside the IT arena will have the best job prospects.” (Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009)
The Associate in Science in Computer Science program is designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, where they can complete the baccalaureate degree, leading to careers in computer science, software engineering, and systems analysis.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will/will be able to:
- Acquire an intellectual understanding of, and an appreciation for, the central role of algorithms and data structures; recognize and use in practical programs the canonical algorithms and data structures; and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness;
- Identify computer hardware from a software perspective - for example, use of the processor, memory, disk drives, display, etc. – and create low-level programs that use the hardware;
- Understand and use design principles and programming paradigms such as abstraction, decomposition, modularity, encapsulation, generics and inheritance;
- Design programs decomposed into communicating modules, and analyze and design the interfaces of these modules;
- Apply object-oriented design and basic software engineering principles to create robust software and test its programs;
- Understand the possibilities and limitations of what computer technology (software, hardware, and networking) can and cannot do;
- Understand and apply the concept of the lifecycle, including the significance of its phases (planning, development, deployment, and evolution); and the implications for the development of all aspects of computer-related systems (including software, hardware);
- Understand and use the basic mathematical concepts and skills underlying the computer science field;
- Understand the basic principles of the scientific method;
- Use effective communication skills in documenting programming projects.
Program outcomes are designed in accordance with principles for undergraduate computer science programs developed by the Joint Task Force for Computing Curricula, which is comprised of the Association for Computing Machinery, the Association for Information Systems, and the Computer Society (Source: Computing Curricula 2005 – The Overview Report, pp. 35-36).
Please note: Prospective students should note that the following Computer Science courses will be introduced as follows:
Fall 2010: CSC 106
Spring 2011: CSC 107
Fall 2011: CSC 207; CSC 208
Spring 2012: CSC 211
Courses
Semester 1
Calculus I
Analytical Thinking With Programming
Lab Science
Social Science Elective
English Composition & Literature I
Semester 2
Calculus II
Programming I
Lab Science
Social Science Elective
English Composition & Literature II
Semester 3
Programming with Objects
Calculus III
Discrete Mathematics
Introduction to Architecture and Assembly Language
Human Elective
Semester 4
Programming with Data Structures
Probability & Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
Speech Communication Skills
Humanities Elective
Social Science Elective