UIS
Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic
Year 2006 - 2007
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Undergraduate
Minor
Faculty Sviatoslav Braynov, Kamyar Dezhgosha, Mark Lovik,
Keith Miller, Ted Mims, Ratko Orlandic, Janis Rose, Allan Roth, Mary
Sheila Tracy, Roger West, Jingyu Zhang
Associated Faculty Burks Oakley II, Ray Schroeder
Online Coordinator Barbara Selvaggio
Contact: (217)
206-6770
csc.uis.edu/,
csc@uis.edu (csconline@uis.edu
for
students interested in the online program), or
http://csc.uis.edu/
 The
bachelor of science degree is designed to provide students with a
strong foundation in computer science and related disciplines. The
degree provides students with experience in mastering
problem‑solving skills relevant to business, scientific, and public
issues.
Graduates of the B.S. program have been successful in earning
advanced degrees and in pursuing careers in research and
application‑oriented positions in business, industry, government,
and education. The diversity of course offerings and rigorous degree
requirements ensure that B.S. graduates acquire the knowledge
necessary to support their career goals.
The bachelor of science degree offers students an opportunity to
emphasize their degree path in the area of software engineering
or systems security and information assurance. The master's degree
in computer science is oriented toward software and is most
appropriate for candidates interested in the design, analysis, and
implementation of software programs.
Students have access to an outstanding variety of computing
systems including a Sun fileserver, additional UNIX-based computers,
a parallel processing cluster, microcomputers, and a hands-on
network configuration laboratory. We have expanded the curriculum
and offer courses in the areas of secure systems and information
assurance. UIS has received national recognition as a partner in the
NSF Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA)
www.cssia.org. Computer
laboratories are open evenings and weekends; some systems are
available 24 hours a day. On-campus students have high-speed, wired
and wireless access.
Online Degree
The online computer science program, which is identical to the
on-campus program, allows students to actively participate in
dynamic, diverse, and interactive online learning communities and to
complete their degrees in their own time and at their own pace via
the Internet. The online format enables them to complete coursework
using the latest networked information technologies for increased
interaction with educational resources, advisers, and materials.
THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Advising
Before registering for the first time, the student should
discuss an appropriate course of study with a member of the faculty.
After classes begin, students are urged to choose a permanent
adviser as soon as possible.
Assessment
The computer science program assesses all students for
communication skills and for knowledge of computer science.
Assessment is intended to help students in their academic planning
and their development as computer scientists. Assessment begins when
students enter UIS and continues throughout their course of study.
It includes an entrance exam, a portfolio (including computer
programs, reports, and other assignments), and an exit exam.
The process begins in CSC 305 Entrance Assessment, which must be
taken the first semester of enrollment as a computer science major.
The entrance assessment is an examination of the core areas of
computer science. During this course, students begin a portfolio to
which selected assignments will be added from each of the core
computer science courses. The process concludes in CSC 405 Exit
Assessment, which must be taken the final semester before
graduation. The exit assessment helps students assess their progress
and helps the faculty revise the curriculum.
Applied Study
The computer science program's applied study term is an excellent
opportunity for students to gain practical in-the-field or
on-the-job experience. Placements have included state agencies,
insurance companies, the SIU School of Medicine, computer companies,
and other businesses throughout central Illinois.
Entrance Requirements
Formal application to the program is required for admission.
Enrollment in CSC 305 Entrance Assessment is required during the
first semester. Program entrance requirements include the equivalent
of two semesters of programming experience in the high‑level
language Java. CSC 325 and CSC 375 may be taken at UIS to satisfy
this requirement. Entrance requirements also include one semester of
calculus as well as discrete math and statistics. MAT 115, MAT 121,
and MAT 302 may be taken on campus at UIS to satisfy these
requirements; 12 of these hours may be counted toward the degree as
general electives. Students considering an advanced degree or a
career in a scientific field are strongly encouraged to take a
second semester of calculus.
For students choosing to emphasize systems security and
information assurance: Entrance requirements are the same as those
listed above, and also include one semester of introductory computer
networking. CSC 421 may be taken at UIS to satisfy this
requirement.
UIS Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of UIS
requirements in the areas of liberal studies colloquia, public
affairs colloquia, and applied study. At least four hours must be
earned in each of two areas.
Degree Requirements
The core curriculum provides a strong foundation in computer
science. CSC electives are chosen in consultation with the student's
adviser, based on the student's choice for programming languages and
capstone courses, to ensure depth of knowledge in topics of
particular interest to the student. There are no restrictions on
general electives. CSC courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Core Requirements
CSC 305 Entrance Assessment 0 Hrs.
CSC 405 Exit Assessment 0 Hrs.
CSC 376 Computer Organization 4 Hrs.
CSC 385 Data Structures and Algorithms 4 Hrs.
CSC 387 Foundations of Computer Science 4 Hrs.
CSC 389 Introduction to Operating Systems 4 Hrs.
CSC 368 Systems Programming Languages 4 Hrs.
and
CSC 438 Systems Security and Information Assurance
Capstone 4 Hrs.
or
CSC 388 Programming Languages 4 Hrs.
and
CSC 478 Software Engineering Capstone 4 Hrs.
Total core 24 Hrs.
Other Requirements
CSC Electives 12 Hrs.
General Electives 12 Hrs.
Total Other 24 Hrs.
UIS Requirements 12 Hrs.
Total 60 Hrs.
This degree plan allows students to place an emphasis on software
engineering or systems security and information assurance by taking
the appropriate combination of programming language, capstone, and
12 hours of CSC elective courses. Students must choose to take both
CSC 368 Systems Programming Languages and CSC 438 Systems Security
and Information Assurance Capstone or CSC 388 Programming Languages
and CSC 478 Software Engineering Capstone.
COMPUTER SCIENCE MINOR
A minor in computer science is designed for students who wish to
develop a working knowledge of the computer that will allow them to
apply effective computer techniques and computational
problem-solving skills in a variety of contexts. It is useful for
students with virtually any academic major, including accountancy,
business administration, clinical laboratory science, economics,
health care, management, and others. A working knowledge of
computers allows people to apply computer techniques in their
careers and to introduce effective, computer‑based methods.
The minor provides a foundation in computer science for
non‑majors. Appropriate CSC electives are chosen in consultation
with a CSC adviser. CSC courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Requirements
MAT 302 Discrete Mathematics 4 Hrs.
CSC 325 Computer Science I 4 Hrs.
CSC 375 Computer Science II 4 Hrs.
CSC Electives 12 Hrs.
Total 24 Hrs.
THE MASTER'S DEGREE
The master of science degree in Computer Science is offered in
an on-campus and online format. The major difference is that there
is no conditional admission to the online degree program.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score and a
complete set of official, undergraduate transcripts signifying
graduation from an accredited university. For full admission, a
minimum undergraduate grade‑point average of 2.70 on a 4.00 scale is
required. Students who take the TOEFL exam must achieve a score of
550 or higher. On-campus applicants who do not meet all entrance
requirements may be granted conditional admission. This allows a
student to complete 12 hours toward the degree. Grades of B‑ or
better must be earned in all courses taken while on conditional
admission. Full admission is required before the student can
continue beyond 12 hours in the CSC curriculum. Some entrance
requirements may be waived for students who can provide evidence of
advanced career experience.
Prerequisites
Applicants are expected to have completed a program of study
similar to that required for a bachelor's degree in computer
science. Candidates for the on-campus degree who lack proper
undergraduate background must demonstrate competency by obtaining a
minimum grade‑point average of 2.70 in specified prerequisite
courses. Prerequisite courses may be taken at UIS or equivalent
courses may be taken elsewhere. These courses will not count toward
the graduate degree and must be completed before full admission is
granted.
Prerequisite Curriculum
(for students without a computer science degree)
MAT 302 Discrete Mathematics
MAT 113 Business Calculus or
MAT 115 Calculus I
MAT 121 Applied Statistics
CSC 325 Computer Science I
CSC 375 Computer Science II
CSC 376 Computer Organization
CSC 385 Data Structures and Algorithms
CSC 388 Programming Languages
CSC 389 Introduction to Operating Systems
Degree Requirements
Students must complete 32 hours of approved courses. No more
than 12 hours may be taken before a student is fully admitted to the
program. Course work must include: 1) 24 hours of CSC electives
approved by the student's adviser; 12 hours must be at the
500‑level; 2) 4 hours of CSC 550 Master's Project/Thesis; and 3) 4
hours of CSC 540 Graduate Research Seminar.
Closure Requirements
Computer science graduate students must complete a comprehensive
closure exercise to demonstrate an ability to formulate,
investigate, analyze, and report results on a problem in writing and
orally. The exercise is classified as either a graduate project or a
master's thesis. Both options require significant work. A thesis is
an extensive research essay on an approved computer science topic,
original in either its content or mode of integration. A project is
an applied study that combines an approved computer science topic
with actual problems or issues in a professional setting. Completing
the closure exercise demonstrates a student's competencies as a
computer professional. Guidelines for completing the requirement are
available at csc.uis.edu/ and
should be consulted before any work on the closure exercise is
begun.
Students must enroll in four hours of the master's project/thesis
course (CSC 550) for credit. If the work is not completed during the
initial four hours, campus policy requires that students register
for zero credit hours (one billable hour) of CSC 551 during each
fall and spring semester the work remains incomplete. Failure to
maintain continuous enrollment will require retroactive registration
for CSC 551 (one billable hour per semester). If a formal leave of
absence is approved by the program, continuous registration is not
required.
Grading Policy
Students must earn a grade of B‑ or better in all courses that
apply toward the degree. In addition, students who do not maintain a
3.00 grade‑point average will be placed on academic probation
according to campus policy. Graduate students enrolled in 400‑level
courses should expect more stringent grading standards and/or
additional assignments. Courses taken on a credit/no credit basis
will not count toward the degree.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
The Computer Science program offers a Graduate Certificate in
Systems Security and a Graduate Certificate in Information
Assurance. Please see the section on "Graduate Certificates" in this
Guide for additional information.
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