Computer and Information Science Minor

The minor in Computer and Information Science is available to students who are not majoring in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems. The dramatically increasing pervasiveness of computers in society makes this an attractive adjunct for students in numerous disciplines. It requires that a student complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of CAIS-labeled course work. The minor is unstructured in that any CAIS-labeled course may be applicable to the program of study; however, a student wishing to receive a Computer and Information Science minor must formally declare such intent no later than the completion of 12 credit hours of CAIS-labeled course work that will be applied toward the minor program of study so that a DCIS advisor may be assigned to the student and the remainder of the program may be planned and approved in conjunction with the advisor.

The minor has three “tracks”, two with designated courses, and one that allows for an individualized program of study. They are as follow:

Track 1 – Scientific/Technical - 20-21 Credits

CAIS 0102 - Computer Science Principles Credits: 3
CAIS 0120 - Computer Science/Program Design I Credits: 4
CAIS 0220 - Computer Science/Program Design II Credits: 4
CAIS 0310 - Database Management Credits: 3
CAIS 03xx - CAIS 0300-level Elective Credits: 3

One of the following - 3-4 Credits:

CAIS 0230 - Data Structures/Algorithm Analysis Credits: 4
CAIS 0240 - Software Engineering Credits: 3
CAIS 0265 - Introduction to Digital Electronics and Microprocessors Credits: 4

Track 2 – Business - 19-21 Credits

CAIS 0125 - Introduction to Computer Information Systems Credits: 3
CAIS 0210 - Database Application Development Techniques Credits: 3
CAIS 0302 - Computer Science Seminar Credits: 1
CAIS 0310 - Database Management Credits: 3
CAIS 0346 - Systems Analysis and Design Credits: 3
CAIS 02xx/03xx - CAIS 0200/0300-level Elective Credits: 3-4

One of the following:

CAIS 0117 - Introduction to Computer Programming Credits: 3
CAIS 0120 - Computer Science/Program Design I Credits: 4
CAIS 0205 - Introduction to Cobol Credits: 3

Track 3 – Individualized - 18 Credits

This track requires that a student complete a minimum of 18 credits of CAIS-labeled coursework, with at least six credits being at the 300-level. The track is individualized in that courses constituting the program of study are determined by the student and DCIS advisor. Any CAIS-labeled coursework may be applicable to the program of study – however, the program must have been planned with and approved by a DCIS advisor prior to entry into the fourth course that is to be applied to the program.

Note:

Coursework from other colleges may be transferred into the minor program; however, a minimum of 12 credits of coursework that will be applied to the program must be satisfied by coursework taken at Westfield State University.