Computer Science and Information Systems

FACULTY Professors Haghighi, Liu, Nikolopoulos, Park, V. Uskov; Associate Professors Dolins (chair), Miller; Assistant Professor Patton; Visiting Assistant Professor A. Uskov; Lecturer Tennyson.

The department offers baccalaureate degree programs in computer science and in computer information systems.

Computer science is the study of theoretical and algorithmic foundations used in software engineering and development. Students are trained to design and implement software, devise new innovations and applications in computing, and solve scientific and business problems requiring computer applications. As software engineers, students need a strong mathematical and scientific background.

Computer information systems is a discipline that focuses on information technology and applications, i.e., on technology and tools for generating, processing, and distributing information. Students can concentrate their study on specific applications such as software engineering, computer security, Web development, intelligent systems, and databases. Computer information systems has a wide variety of applications, but the mathematical requirements are not as rigorous as they are for computer science because there is less focus on theoretical foundations.


For students not majoring in the department, we offer a minor which can be tailored to the individual’s goals and needs.

Students intending to take only one course in the department should enroll in CIS 102 if they desire a detailed treatment of a programming language, or CIS 300 if they desire a general discussion of computers and their impact on society.

Computer Science

The department has course offerings of sufficient breadth to allow specialization in a number of areas including software engineering, intelligent systems, database concepts, computer systems and architecture, net-centric computing, and Web development. Majors are encouraged to choose and area of specialization based upon their career goals and to select electives, with guidance from their advisor, to support that choice. The general requirements for the computer science major are:

  1. Computer Science:
    • 45 semester hours including CS 101, CS 102, CS 140, CS 210, CS 215, CS 220, CS 321, CS 330, CS 370, CS 390, CS 480, CS 490, CS 491;
    • at least 24 semester hours must be 300 level or higher;
    • a grade of C or better is required in all computer science courses submitted in fulfillment of the major requirements.
  2. Mathematics and Science
    • 12 semester hours of mathematics, including MTH 120, MTH 121, MTH 122, and one elective at the 200 level or higher;
    • MTH 325, or IME 311, or QM 262;
    • 12 semester hours of science, including a two-semester (eight semester hours) laboratory sequence designated for science or engineering majors.

Computer Information Systems

The general requirements for the computer information systems major are:

  1. Computer Science and Computer Information Systems:
    • 33 semester hours including CIS 203, CS 101, CS 102, CS 220, CS 310, CS 330, CS 370, and CS 403. (CS 390 is strongly recommended.);
    • least 21 hours must be at or above the 300 level;
    • a grade of C or better is required in all computer science and computer information systems courses presented in fulfillment of the major requirements.
  2. Mathematics: MTH 105 (or equivalent) and either MTH 115 or MTH 121 (MTH 116 or MTH 122 is recommended), and MTH 120.
  3. Statistics: QM 262 and QM 263 (or equivalents).
  4. Accounting: ATG 157 and ATG 158.
  5. Business: BMA 352.
  6. Economics: ECO 221 (or ECO 100).
  7. Finance: FIN 322.
  8. Psychology: PSY 104.
  9. Supporting Area: Each computer information systems major must select a minor, or at least 18 semester hours in an approved sequence of courses in a supporting area; at least 12 of these hours must be above the freshman level. A frequent choice is the business administration minor. Several other options exist and interested students should consult with their major advisor for assistance in selecting one suitable to their goals and needs. Students should also consult the department offering the minor. Students choosing the business administration minor must have that choice approved by the Foster College of Business Administration.

Computer Science and Information Systems Minor

The requirements for a minor in computer science and information systems are:

  1. a total of 21 hours in computer science or computer information systems courses;
  2. at least 12 of these hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

Non-majors interested in the minor should consult the department and develop an individualized plan. For example, a student seeking to achieve a working competence in Web development might select CS 101, CS 102, CS 140, CS 210, CS 330, CS 370, CS 531, and CS 532. Plans to meet other objectives can be worked out with a department advisor.