Computer Science

Faculty

Richard M. Plishka, M.B.A., Chair
John Beidler, Ph.D.
Yaodong Bi, Ph.D.
Benjamin Bishop, Ph.D.
Paul M. Jackowitz, M.S.
Robert W. McCloskey, Ph.D.
James R. Sidbury, Ph.D.
Charles E. Taylor, M.B.A.

Overview

The Department of Computing Sciences offers undergraduate major programs in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems. Additionally, the department partners with the Departments of Communication and Physics/Electrical Engineering in offering the undergraduate major in Media and Information Technology.

One of the oldest in Pennsylvania, the program dates from 1970. It is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the recognized accrediting body for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology.

The program focuses on the underlying concepts of computing with an emphasis on software engineering. Mastery of these concepts requires, not only substantial practice, but also an understanding of the underlying theory. The program is supplemented with courses in mathematics and the natural sciences and culminates in the Computer Projects course, in which students undertake a project in collaboration with a faculty advisor. The program prepares students for advanced study and wide-ranging professional careers in computing, including software development.

Minor in Computer Science

The student must take a minimum of 20 hours including MATH 142, CMPS 134, CMPS 144, CMPS 240 and any two of CMPS 250, 260, 311, 340, 341, 344, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 370, 372, 374, 376 or 384.

Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree in Software Engineering

Computer Science and Computer Information Systems students with strong undergraduate records may be accepted and dually enrolled in the graduate program in Software Engineering through the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s degree program. Interested students are advised to contact the Software Engineering Program Director before their junior year.

Computer Science Curriculum
Dept. and No.				Descriptive Title of Course	Credits
				FIRST YEAR	FALL	SPRING
MAJOR		CMPS 134-144		Computer Science I-II	3	4
COGNATE		MATH 114		Analysis I		4
GE WRTG - SPCH		WRTG 107 - COMM 100		Compositon - Public Speaking	3	3
GE C/IL		C/IL 102		Computing & Information Literacy	3
GE PHIL		PHIL 120–T/RS 121		Intro. to Philosophy–Theology I	3	3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Elective		3
GE QUAN		MATH 142		Discrete Structures	4
GE FSEM		INTD 100		Freshman Seminar	1
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education		1
					17	18
				SECOND YEAR
MAJOR		CMPS 240-250		Data Structures - Machine Org.	3	3
MAJOR		CMPS 260		Theoretical Foundations		3
COGNATE		MATH 221		Analysis II	4
GE NSCI		NSCI ELECT 1		Natural Science Elective	4-4.5	4-4.5
GE PHIL		PHIL 210–T/RS 122		Ethics–Theology II	3	3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Elective		3
GE PHED		PHED ELECT		Physical Education	1	1
					15-15.5	17-17.5
				THIRD YEAR
MAJOR		CMPS 352-344		Operating Systems - Program Lang.	3	3
MAJOR		CMPS 340 - CMPS ELECT 2		File Processing - Comp. Sci. Elective	4	3
MAJOR		CMPS 350-374		Comp. Architecture - Software Eng.	3	3
COGNATE		MATH 310		Applied Probability & Statistics	4
COGNATE		NSCI ELECT 1		Natural Science Elective		3-4
GE S/BH		S/BH ELECT		Social/Behavioral Elective	3
GE ELECT		ELECT		Free Elective		3
					17	15-16
				FOURTH YEAR
MAJOR		CMPS 490		Computer Projects	3
MAJOR		CMPS ELECT 2		Major Electives		6
COGNATE		MATH/NSCI ELECT1,3		Math or Natural Science Elective	3
GE PHIL		PHIL 214		Computers and Ethics		3
GE HUMN		HUMN ELECT		Humanities Electives	3	3
GE S/BH		S/BH ELECT		Social/Behavioral Elective	3
GE ELECT		ELECT		Free Electives	3	3
					15	15
					Total: 129-131 Credits
1 Computer Science majors must complete at least 12 credits of science courses, including a two-semester sequence in a laboratory science for science or engineering majors. Qualifying sequences include PHYS 140-141, CHEM 112-113 and BIOL 141-142. (Other sequences require approval of the department.) The remaining credits must be satisfied by departmentally approved courses that enhance the student’s ability to apply the scientific method. 2 Major electives must be chosen from CMPS 341, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 370, 372, 376, 384, 393, 440 and 481. 3 Either a mathematics course at the 300 level or above or a science course approved by the department.