Computer Science

The primary mission of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is to provide access, through education and state-of-the-art technology, to the enormous and ever growing professional opportunities available in the fields of computer science, including computer security.

Our primary mission is fulfilled by providing a highly intensive exposure to the fundamentals of computer programming and computer science needed to succeed in the very competitive computer science job market. Students who concentrate in a curriculum of information assurance courses accredited by the National Security Agency may receive transcripted recognition for a Computer Security Certificate. The internship program provides invaluable real-world exposure enhancing the student's confidence, knowledge, experience and employability.

The Computer Science Department is fully committed to:

1. The continual re-assessment of our programs in this ever-changing environment, so as to provide a curriculum which is always technologically and scientifically up-to-date.
2. Providing state-of-the-art hardware and software appropriate for computer science programs. In this regard, the Department's computing needs are distinct from those of the University at large.
3. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies, especially computer security, into our programs.
4. Excellence in teaching, with small, focused classes.
5. The scholarly growth of the faculty so as to contribute to the scientific community, to maintain a current perspective in teaching, and to enhance awareness of medium and long term trends in computer science.
6. Providing reliable service to the University community by way of general education courses, which focus on elementary computer science and application software.
7. Educating a diverse body of students in an atmosphere conducive to the learning process.

The program goals for the in Computer Science can be categorized in terms of the WCU Plan For Excellence Transformations as follows:

1. Responsiveness Transformation. Responding to the region's educational and cultural needs

   1. Promote the professional growth of faculty, including interactions with computer science professionals in academia, industry and research, to enhance our knowledge of the discipline and the future directions in which it is likely to be headed so that the undergraduate program can be kept current.

2. Student Success Transformation. Making student success the University's defining characteristic

   1. Introduce the tracking of students after they have left the University so that we may gauge the value and utility of our programs.

   2. Hire new faculty members with expertise in areas in which we need to offer courses but are currently understaffed.

   3. Continue to advise students, especially those from groups currently underrepresented in the profession, about the enormous return on the educational investment computer science offers in terms of income, satisfaction, and job flexibility, growth and portability, which, in today's environment, is unmatched by other professions.

   4. Communicate directly with the career counselors at area colleges to make them aware of our graduate program, especially our prerequisite program, excellent candidates for which are to be drawn from those recent graduates of other disciplines who are uncertain as to which career avenue to pursue.

   5. Take advantage of the University's resources to advertise our graduate program, but especially our graduate prerequisite program.

3. Human Capital Transformation. Investing in creativity, renewal and leadership

   1. Promote the professional growth of faculty.

   2. Maintain up-to-date curricula as an on-going affair.

   3. Continue to enhance our technology base and to integrate it into the learning environment.

4. Resourcefulness Transformation. Diversifying resources and improving management

   1. Maintain excellent departmental laboratories.

   2. Provide increased technical support for the Department's laboratories.

   3. Focus on providing quality software and UNIX platforms for the undergraduate program.

   4. Seek to improve the departmental budget so that it is appropriate for a department of computer science with our mission.

The Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science are the following.

Upon graduation:

1. Our graduates will be able to apply theory, techniques, and methodologies to create and/or maintain high quality computing systems that function effectively and reliably in the emerging and future information infrastructure. (Program Outcomes 1, 2, 6)
2. Our graduates will be able to work in teams, demonstrate ethical professionalism in their work, and grow professionally while engaging in life-long learning. (Program Outcomes 4, 5)
3. Our graduates perform well in a computer science graduate program or a career in computer science and have the communication skills and quantitative/analytical skills necessary for career advancement. (Program Outcome 3)

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions. CSC 220, 231, 240, 241, 317, 321, 331, 345, 400, 402, 466, 468, 471,472, 476, 481, 490, 496.
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. CSC 141, 142, 231, 240, 302, 317, 321, 331, 345, 416, 417, 466, 468, 471, 472, 481, 490, 495, 496.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts. SPK 208/230; ENG 368/371; CSC 301, 302, 335, 404, 468, 471, 476, 490, 495.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. CSC 301, 302, 402, 471.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline. CSC 301, 302, 402, 404, 466, 468, 471, 472, 476, 496.
6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. CSC 321, 331, 345, 400, 402, 472, 481, 490, 495, 499.

The Program Educational Objectives for the Master of Science in Computer Science are the following:

1. Preparation for Career or Additional Graduate School: Upon graduation, students will be well prepared to enter a career.
2. Research Skills: Selected Computer Science graduate students will be able to apply their course learnings to research career in an industrial setting.
3. State of the Art Training: All Computer Science majors will have the opportunity to be exposed to the latest, cutting-edge technology.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Students demonstrate an ability to identify computing requirements.
2. Students demonstrate an ability to understand professional ethical and social issues and responsibilities.
3. Students demonstrate an ability to use current techniques and skills necessary for computing practices.
4. Students demonstrate an ability to design and develop software systems of varying complexity.
5. Students who take research-oriented course(s) are able to access the needed information, evaluate the information and its sources critically, and interpret and comprehend the state-of-the-art in Computer Science.