Computer and Information Science, B.S.C.I.S.

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The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science (BSCIS) program is the University’s degree program in Computer Science. It is designed to prepare the student for a professional career which uses theory and practice of computing or for graduate work in computer science . The curriculum reflects current computing trends and provides the latest computer technology to enable a CIS graduate to be very competitiin the marketplace.

Two tracks are offered under the BSCIS degree:

The CIS (Computer and Information Science) track is designed for students interested in incorporating an applied area in their degree program. A student in this track will choose a concentration area from among several different areas of study. Areas of study include use of computing in all branches of engineering, business, and sciences. Other concentration areas of study can be chosen with the assistance of an academic advisor in the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center.
The CSC (Computer Science) track is designed for those students interestedin a stronger theoretical and quantitative emphasis or who are planning to pursue graduate study.

The CIS Department also offers the Information Systems major for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

NOTE: Students in the BSCIS program may be allowed to enroll in business courses. However, College of Business Administration accreditation rules require that no more than 25 percent (i.e., 32 semester hours) of the course work counted toward a non-business bachelor’s degree, including the BSCIS degree, may be business or upper-level economics courses unless the student also completes all of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) courses listed by the College of Business Administration. The 18 CBK courses are: BUS 151 , ACT 221 , ACT 222 , BLW 411 , ECN 201 , ECN 202 , ECN 302 , FIN 351 , GAD 250 , IST 203 , IST 305 , MKT 301 , BUS 351 , MLR 321 , MLR 465 , OSM 201 , OSM 202 , and OSM 311 .

A student should consult with the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center (BU 219) for most advising, curriculum, or program issues. Students can also consult with a department faculty member regarding specific curriculum or program issues by calling the department at 216-687-4760.

Computer and Information Science Track (BSCIS)

At-a-Glance

Admission to major:

2.00 grade-point average, plus a grade of C or better in MTH 181 or an average grade of C+ (2.3) or better in MTH 148 , plus a grade of C+ or better in CIS 260 .

Concentration areas:

Many specialization areas are possible through the selection of a concentration area (see below).

Advising:

A student should consult with a department faculty member on a regular basis for course selection. Each student can also be assigned an adviser by the department after declaring the major; phone 216-687-4760. Students should consult with the Advising Center of the Monte Ahuja College (BU 219) for most advising , curriculum, or program issues.

Student organizations:

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Additional information:

Each student is required to choose a concentration area in any field related to computer and information science and take at least 16 semester hours in this area. Some typical choices are:

Business: accounting, finance, marketing, management and labor relations, or operations and supply chain management, or information systems
Engineering: most commonly electrical engineering and electronic engineering technology
Mathematics
Natural Science: biology, chemistry, or physics

A concentration within the CIS Department may be selected with written permission of the student’s CIS adviser.

By choosing a concentration area, the student may prepare for a career using computers in that area.

Note:

The CIS Department also offers an Information Systems major in the B.B.A. degree.

Major-Field Requirements

The following list is a guide to the academic requirements for a program of student in the Computer and Information Science (CIS) track of Computer and Information Science major. Each student’s specific program requires the approval of the College advisor.

1. General Education Requirements.

Students should see an adviser in the Business College Office (BU219) before choosing electives to satisfy General Education Requirements in the following areas:

Mathematics or Logic, Arts/Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, Social Diversity and Writing Across the Curriculum.

2. Eighteen semester hours of mathematics chosen from one of two sequences as follows:

a. (Recommended for all students)

b. (Not available for engineering, science, or quantitative business. concentrations)

3. A ten-semester-hour approved sequence in a Natural Science with Laboratory.

Recommended sequences are

PHY 243 - University Physics I (Writing) And
PHY 244 - University Physics II(Writing) for students with calculus
or
PHY 221 - College Physics I
PHY 222 - College Physics II

4. Twenty-six semester hours of a Computer and Information Science core program:

5. A minimum of 20 semester hours of Computer and Information Science electives.

6. Four hours of Project Management

IST 420 - Project Management for IS

7. Introduction

CIS 151 - Invitation to Computing

Note(s)

This course should be taken before taking CIS 260 .

This course can besubstituted if a student has CS AP credit or has completed a college level programming course.

8. Each student must select an area of specialization

Each student must select an area of specialization in any field related to Computer and Information Science. At least 16 semester hours must be in this area, with at least 9 semester hours at the 300 level or higher. The area of specialization must be carefully related to the student’s program and approved by the student’s adviser. Sample programs of study showing a concentration in the various areas of business, engineering, technology, science, or mathematics are available from the department. Other programs, including concentrations within the CIS Department, that are tailored to the individual student’s needs must be individually approved.

9. At least 46 semester hours must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above.

10. A minimum total of 128 credit hours.

Additional Major-Field Requirements

In order to declare CIS as the major, the student must have completed one semester of Calculus (MTH 181 ) with a grade of C (2.00) or better, or one semester of Mathematical Concepts (MTH 148 ) with a grade of C+ (2.30) or better; and CIS 260 (Introduction to Programming) with a grade of C+ (2.30) or better. The student must also have an overall grade-point average of 2.00 or better.
All computer and information science courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
Any computer and information science course taken without prior satisfactory completion of all catalog prerequisite courses will not be counted toward fulfillment of graduation requirements.

Note(s):

Students who intend to major in CIS should see an adviser in the CIS Department as soon as possible (no later than the end of the freshman year), even if they have not yet completed MTH 181 and CIS 260 .

Computer Science Track (CSC)

At-a-Glance

Admission to major: 2.00 grade-point average, a grade of C (2.00) or better in MTH 181 , and a grade of C+ (2.30) or better in CIS 260 .

Advising: A student should consult with the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center (BU 219) for most advising, curriculum, or program issues. Students can also consult with a department faculty member regarding specific curriculum or program issues by calling the department at 216-687-4760.

Student organizations: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Note: The CSC track is distinguished from the CIS track by its higher requirements in computer science, mathematics, and natural science. This track is recommended for those students who want a stronger theoretical foundation or who plan to go to graduate school. The CIS Department also offers an Information Systems major in the B.B.A. degree program.

Major-Field Requirements

General Education Requirements. Students should see an adviser in the Business Advising Office (BU 219) before choosing electives to satisfy General Education Requirements in the following areas: Mathematics/Quantitative Literacy, Arts/Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science, Social Diversity and Writing Across the Curriculum (including Speaking Across the Curriculum.
Twenty-two semester hours of mathematics: MTH 181 MTH 182 (Calculus I and II); MTH 220 (Introduction to Discrete Mathematics); MTH 284 (Matrices for Engineers) or MTH 288 (Linear Algebra); MTH 311 (Numerical Analysis); and MTH 323 (Statistical Methods).
A 16-semester-hour science/quantitative sequence: PHY 243 and PHY 244 , and the remainder in any science or quantitative courses at the 200 level or above.
A 37-semester-hour computer science core sequence: CIS 260 (Introduction to Programming), CIS 265 (Data Structures and Algorithms), CIS 335 (Language Processors), CIS 340 (C/C++ For SystemsProgramming), CIS 345 (Operating System Principles), CIS 368 (Object Oriented Design and Programming), CIS 424 (Comparative Programming Languages), CIS 480 (Introduction to Computer Architecture), CIS 490 (Foundations of Computing), CIS 485 (Senior Project).
A minimum of 20 semester hours of computer and information science electives.
Four hours of Project Management, IST 420 (Project Management).
CIS 151 (Invitation to Computing) for students interested in gaining an overview of the computing discipline. This course should be taken before taking CIS 260 . This course can be substituted if a student has CS AP credit or has completed a college level programming course such as CIS 260 or IST 211 .
At least 46 semester hours must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above.
All CIS courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
A total of 128 semester hours

Additional Major-Field Requirements

In order to declare the CIS major with a CSC track, the student must have completed Calculus I (MTH 181 ) with a grade of C (2.00) or better, and CIS 260 (Introduction to Programming) with a grade of C+ (2.30) or better. The student must also have an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better.
All computer and information science courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
Any computer and information science course taken without prior satisfactory completion of all catalog prerequisite courses will not be counted toward fulfillment of graduation requirements.