Computer Science, B.S.

Program Educational Objectives

Computer Science Program of Study

“Program Educational Objectives” are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. These Program Educational Objectives were developed, refined, and finalized with input and feedback from various constituencies involved in and concerned with the Computer Science program of study, including the DCIS faculty, the DCIS Advisory Board, representatives of local employers, computer science faculty from schools with graduate programs, and both graduates and current students of the Westfield State University computer science program.

Our graduates will be gainfully employed in a computer-related field, engaged in graduate study, or successfully involved in activities or careers that make use of the knowledge and abilities acquired in their computer science program of study.
Our graduates will contribute to their workplaces and society in a manner that is meaningful, professional, and ethically responsible.
Our graduates will have the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the workplace by acquiring, whether via graduate work, professional improvement opportunities, professional societies, or self-study, the knowledge and skills that will allow them to be successful.
Our graduates will communicate effectively, so as to enable them to perform both collaborative work within teams and effective interaction with a broad range of audiences.

The members of the DCIS Advisory Board (i.e., the constituents of the Westfield State University Computer Science program) are local business leaders, industry employers, computer science faculty from schools with graduate programs, and both graduates and current students of the Westfield State University computer science program - all of whom have a direct stake in the quality of the educational program that we provide.

Computer Science Student Outcomes

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgemnts in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The CS program student outcomes are the student outcomes proposed by the ABET Computing Accreditation Board.

For information about the Mathematics and Computer Science Double Major, B.S. degree please click here.

Requirements for the Computer Science Major

The COMS program of study requires 79 credits in the major, to include 54 credits of direct CAIS study, and 25 credits in the supporting areas of mathematics, science, and technical writing (of which, 16 credits simultaneously fulfill four core course requirements). The requirements are as follow:

Direct CAIS Study - 54 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 0230 - Data Structures/Algorithm Analysis Credits: 4
CAIS 0236 - Computer Organization and Architecture Credits: 4
CAIS 0240 - Software Engineering Credits: 3
CAIS 0265 - Introduction to Digital Electronics and Microprocessors Credits: 4
CAIS 0302 - Computer Science Seminar Credits: 1
CAIS 0305 - Elements of Systems Programming Credits: 3
CAIS 0307 - Organization of Programming Languages Credits: 3
CAIS 0310 - Database Management Credits: 3
CAIS 0339 - Operating Systems Credits: 3
CAIS 0347 - Introduction to Networking Credits: 3
CAIS 0351 - Introduction to the Theory of Computation Credits: 3
CAIS 0363 - Computer Science Senior Project Credits: 3

One of the following (CAIS A Elective) - 3 Credits:

CAIS 0301 - Compiler Design Credits: 3
CAIS 0337 - Networking and Client/Server Computing Credits: 3
CAIS 0341 - Computer Graphics Credits: 3
CAIS 0350 - Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3

One of the following (CAIS B Elective) - 3 Credits:

CAIS 0290 - Introduction to Computer Security Credits: 3
MATH 0333 - Applied Statistical and Experimental Design Credits: 3
Any 3 credit or more 0300-level CAIS-labeled course, excluding CAIS 0353 , CAIS 0396 , and CAIS 0397 , that otherwise is not required of the major.

Non-CAIS Background and/or Core Courses - 25 credits

MATH 0105 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH 0106 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH 0220 - Discrete Structures Credits: 3
MATH 0340 - Mathematical Statistics I Credits: 3
ENGL 0392 - Business and Technical Writing Credits: 3
Lab Science Electives (8 credits) from the following:
BIOL 0129 - General Biology I Credits: 4
BIOL 0128 - General Biology II Credits: 4
or
CHEM 0109 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 0111 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
or
PHSC 0125 - Physics I Credits: 4
PHSC 0127 - Physics II Credits: 4

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core .