School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Director: Douglas Hawley
Faculty: Joni Adkins, Charles Badami, Ajay Bandi, Scott Bell, Denise Case, Cari Cline, Nathan Eloe, Aziz Fellah, Charitha Hettiarachchi, Charles Hoot, Diana Linville, Zhengrui Qin, Michael Rogers, Matthew Schieber, Carol Spradling, Zhiling Tu, Roger VonHolzen, Nancy Zeliff
Statement of Mission
The mission of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems is to provide programs through which students learn to solve problems and gain professional competence in the areas of computer science and information systems. In addition to courses supporting our majors, we offer core and service courses that reflect the pivotal role of computer science and information systems in all disciplines. The goal of each major is to provide a sufficiently focused curriculum to enable each student to compete successfully in the job market, while also providing sufficient breadth to facilitate lifelong learning, whether that learning continues through formal graduate study or on-the-job experiences. Each major offers the student opportunities to obtain thorough knowledge of the field of study, develop the professional competencies to communicate that knowledge, and acquire a value system to make sound decisions regarding the issues that confront professionals in the work place.
Degree Programs
The School of Computer Science and Information Systems offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the areas of business technology, computer science, cybersecurity, data science and informatics-computer science, digital media-computer science, and management information systems. For students interested in teaching business and marketing, in grades 9-12, the school offers the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in business education and a minor in marketing education. For students interested in teaching business, in grades 5-9, the school offers a minor in middle school business. In addition, there are minors in accounting information systems, agriculture data and information systems, business education (as well as non-degree business technology and information systems programs), computer applications, cybersecurity, computer science, data management, digital media, and systems management.
Business technology students gain skills through a unique combination of business, computer applications, and digital technology. The program develops students' interpersonal, decision-making, and analytical skills. Graduates will effectively assist organizations with business, computer, and technology operations.
The focus of the computer science major is software design and implementation. The program also provides a solid background in the fundamental principles of computer networks, computer organization, database systems, operating systems, programming languages, and software engineering. Students have the option of specializing in one of 3 areas: Data Management, Mobile Computing, or Information Assurance and Security.
Students in cybersecurity focus on developing skills and knowledge related to protecting computer systems. This includes preventing, detecting and responding to cyberattacks on computer related infrastructure within an organization. Coursework will build a strong background in software development, networking, and data management. Students will learn to apply this knowledge and help develop policies to improve security for computing systems.
Students in the cross-disciplinary data science and informatics program (computer science emphasis) will cultivate the skills needed to collect and analyze data to form decisions and gain insight into application areas so a responsible narrative can be presented using the information extracted from the raw data. Courses in this program will prepare students to extract data from unconventional sources, transform data, and convert data into actionable information. In addition, students will be introduced to the ethical ramifications of how results are presented.
Digital media students will develop cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills in areas that deal with visual aesthetic understanding and communication, integrated with technological knowledge. Students in the computer science programming concentration will design and implement web applications, and explore the additional topics of computer organization, networking, database development, web application and services, and other computer technologies.
Students in the management information systems program develop a solid, interrelated combination of business knowledge and applied computer technology skills. This combination makes graduates suited for a variety of information technology careers, including analyst and systems engineer.
In all of these programs, students learn fundamental concepts while engaging in activities similar to those encountered in the workplace. Small classes taught by full-time faculty using active learning instructional paradigms focus on the student’s learning process, with the teacher’s role as guide, facilitator, and mentor.
All of these programs are supported by a wide variety of computing facilities ranging from local area networks of microcomputers to campus-wide access to an international network of computing services.
Test-Out Policy
Undergraduate students may test out of certain lower division courses in Computer Science/Information Systems. Examinations are available each semester. See the School Director for courses that are available for test-out.
Senior Assessment
For each of the majors in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems, a senior-level major field assessment must be completed by each student.
Non-Degree Programs
The School of Computer Science and Information Systems offers a two-year business technology program. On the successful completion of a program, the student is awarded a certificate. Unless otherwise noted, all courses in this program are fully accredited and may be applied to a degree program should a student later decide to complete a college degree. A student must maintain a “C” average. All non-degree programs in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems require CSIS 44130 Computers and Information Technology, or CSIS 44101 Foundations of Computing as a prerequisite course as required by course descriptions.