Computer Science, B.A.
Program Description
The Department offers three separate programs in computing. Two of these programs provide a foundation in the discipline of computer science, one leading to a B.A. and the other to a B.S. The remaining program leads to a B.S. in Information Technology.
The primary goal of these programs is the preparation of graduates for direct entry into the computing profession with sufficient background to make continuing contributions in the field. The B.S. in Computer Science program provides the foundation for remaining current in computer science. It requires courses in related fields and provides breadth and depth in the discipline. The B.A. program is applications-oriented and has fewer required courses to provide greater flexibility. The Information Technology major is designed for those students interested in the study of networks and client support systems.
Mission Statement
With student learning having the highest priority, goals for the Computer Science Program are in accord with those of the University. Our mission is to help our students to think logically, to analyze problems and develop algorithmic and computer-based solutions to these problems, to communicate effectively, and to work collaboratively as part of a team. With the ultimate goal of developing all of our students as self-learners, members of our faculty strive to research and implement teaching strategies that effectively serve all of our students.
Ultimately, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers in computer science. In addition, students who demonstrate the ability and determination to continue academically in computer science will be prepared for graduate studies. We expect that participants in our program, both students and faculty, will expand their thirst for learning and develop a deeper appreciation and respect for related disciplines. To these ends, we work to provide a classical foundation in the core of the discipline, introduce current theories, research areas, and technologies, and demonstrate the links between theory and its embodiment in the world of applications.
4+1 Graduate Program Option
During their senior year, students with a GPA of at least 3.0 may apply for the 4+1 BA/MS Computer Science option. Students who are accepted into this program will receive their bachelor's degree once they complete its requirements and will then begin the master's program immediately upon graduation. Up to three courses from the undergraduate program will then count towards the completion of the masters degree. Students must earn a grade of B or higher in any course that is being transferred to the graduate program. Eligible masters programs are as follows:
- Computer Information Science (CIS) - a total of 8 additional classes (24 credits) are required to complete the M.S. in CIS; this degree can be completed in as few as four semesters after graduation (approximately 15 months)
- Cybersecurity (CYB) - a total of 8 additional classes (24 credits) are required to complete the M.S. in CYB; this degree can be completed in as few as four semesters after graduation (approximately 15 months)
Why Take This Major?
Students who pursue Computer Science as a major enjoy programming (writing code) and the software side of computing. Graduates pursue careers as software developers, computer analysts, systems engineers, and web developers.
Degree Earned
B.A.
Required for Graduation
- Courses
- Major: 18
- Total: 39
- Credits
- Major: 57
- Total: 120
- GPA
- Major: 2.0
- Cumulative: 2.0
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate the use of computer science in solving problems
- critically evaluate problems to determine project requirements
- plan, develop and create solutions to problems incorporating current and emerging computer technologies
- critically evaluate results and impact of their problem solving
- demonstrate the use of various programming languages and computing environments
- incorporate oral and written presentation skills as well as teamwork and collaboration tools into their problem-solving methodology
- explain the computer science theory underlying the solutions to practical problems
Progress Chart
Level One - Core Courses
12 courses and 2 modules required.
Major Requirements
Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.
Students in this major must complete 39 courses in total in order to graduate. 18 courses will be from this major program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Level One - Core Courses | ||
| Universal Required Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
| ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
| ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
| ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
| FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar 1 | 3 |
| ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
| REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
| Elective Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
| ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
| PHY 201 | Computer Electronics | 3 |
| ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
| CSC 280 | Object Programming | 4 |
| ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 4 | |
| Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
| ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Universal Required Modules | ||
| Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 2 | ||
| ILO 7.1a | ||
| Health Literacy Module | ||
| ILO 7.1b | ||
| Financial Literacy Module | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Level Two | ||
| Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
| ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | ||
| CSC 481 | Project Implementation (ILO 2.2) | 3 |
| Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | ||
| CSC 301 | Computer Architecture (ILO 6.2) | 3 |
| ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
| CSC 290 | Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms (ILO 8.2b) | 4 |
| Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
| CSC 381 | Software Engineering (ILO 10.2) | 3 |
| All Other Major Requirements | ||
| CSIT 220 | Data Communication | 3 |
| CSC 230 | Programming Concepts and User Interfaces | 4 |
| CSC 240 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| CSC 280 | Object Programming | 4 |
| CSC 290 | Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms | 4 |
| CSC 301 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC 340 | .Net Programming | 3 |
| CSC 381 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 481 | Project Implementation | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Language Theory and Design | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Theory of Algorithms | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Open-Source Application Development | ||
| Client-Side Scripting | ||
| Mobile Computing | ||
| Language Theory and Design | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Theory of Algorithms | ||
| One CSC elective 300-level or higher | 3 | |
| One CSC or CSIT elective 300-level or higher | 3 | |
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| MTH 261 | Discrete Structures II | 3 |
| PHY 201 | Computer Electronics | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| or BUS 203 | Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | |
| One additional business course of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | ||
| Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | ||
| Financial Markets and Institutions: Principles and Applications | ||
| Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | ||
| Intermediate Financial Accounting I | ||
| Designing Organizations for Competitive Advantage | ||
| Influence in Organizations: A Skills-Based Approach | ||
| Managing Human Resources: A Skills-Based Approach | ||
| Dispute Resolution | ||
| Growing A Business: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management | ||
| Leadership: Theories and Real-World Challenges | ||
| Managing in The Global Economy | ||
| Managing Cultural Diversity in The Workplace | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major. | ||
- 1
NOTE. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130 First-Year Academic Seminar: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening.
- 2
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Recommended Course Sequence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CSC 230 | Programming Concepts and User Interfaces | 4 |
| CSC 240 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| CSC 280 | Object Programming | 4 |
| CSIT 220 | Data Communication | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| CSC 280 | Object Programming (Fall) | 4 |
| CSC 290 | Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms (Fall) | 4 |
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I 1 | 3 |
| MTH 261 | Discrete Structures II 1 | 3 |
- 1
MTH 260 Discrete Structures I and MTH 261 Discrete Structures II should be taken during the sophomore year since they are prerequisites for some of the higher-level computer science courses.
It is important for students to complete these courses as soon as they are able since most of the rest of the curriculum relies on the knowledge from these classes.
Dual Major Requirements
Students in the Computer Science BA program will often double major or minor in Information Technology. Please see the Department Chair for more information on our double major offerings.
Course Descriptions
Computer Science
This course offers a survey of computers and computer systems as well as problem-solving and computer applications for business and social science and an introduction to a PC-based Graphical User Interface/windowed operating system. Computer packages include a word processor, electronic spreadsheet, and presentation software. Internet use includes electronic mail and the World Wide Web.
This course provides a survey of computers and computer systems as well as problem-solving and computer applications for science and mathematics, including data analysis and regression. It includes an introduction to a PC-based Graphical User Interface/ windowed operating system and covers word processing, design and use of electronic spreadsheets, and presentation software. Internet use includes electronic mail and the World Wide Web.
This course promotes an understanding of computer systems and related technologies as they are utilized by healthcare professionals across a variety of settings. The role and value of medical record technology such as Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are explored. Also studied is the relationship of healthcare informatics to patient safety and legal and ethical issues associated with the collection of personal and health data. Students collaborate and discuss these issues using technologies such as email, blogs, wikis, Websites, e-Portfolios, and mobile devices. Strategies for searching relevant library databases as well as government and health organization Websites are developed.
This course addresses effective analysis, design, and presentation of information for business, including advanced word processing, presentation graphics, spreadsheets, and databases, with emphasis on analysis. Topics include formulas, functions, charting, sorting, filtering, pivot tables, what-if analysis, database queries and reports, and business-specific library databases.
This course addresses problem solving and programming using problem-based learning; variables, control flow, iteration, modules, arrays, file processing, classes, and objects; and basic graphical-user interface concepts (forms/pages and controls) for desktop and/or Web or mobile environments. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
This course includes components of database systems, database models: entity-relationship, relational, hierarchical, network; normalization, integrity, relational algebra, query languages, system security, distributed databases, and social and ethical concerns. In addition, case studies using a relational DBMS will be implemented.
This course involves problem solving using a high-level object-oriented language, such as Java; analyzing problems, designing a solution, implementing a solution, testing, and debugging; abstraction, encapsulation, and inheritance; using, designing, creating, and testing classes; and selection, iteration, and simple collections, such as arrays. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
This course is a continuation of CSC 280. It focuses on abstract data types, including lists, stacks, queues, binary trees, and hash tables; recursive techniques; iterators; and use of classes in the Java Collections Framework for problem solving. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
This course is an introduction to computer architecture and hardware; underlying structures needed to accomplish tasks electronically; and hardware and software architecture components relative to memory management, I/O control, and processing capabilities.
This course focuses on programming in .NET (such as Visual Basic.NET or C#) and Active Server Pages (ASP.NET) that supports work with databases and the Web; models that support database access, such as MS SQL, Entity Framework, and LINQ; design and development of solutions to problems using database tools and programming; and database-driven Web sites, including validation, navigation, and security. (offered in alternate years)
Students will develop Web solutions that integrate client- and server-side interfaces. The emphasis for the course will be on development for server side, with results being viewed and designed for the client. At least half of the course will include database maintenance using the open-source solution, including development of authentication and authorization. (offered in alternate years)
This course will require students to design and develop standards-based client interfaces for Web/client-side applications using the latest versions of HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Students will study Web-based standards and application/design styles. Students will also use popular Web-development tools. Some mobile development will be included in the course. (offered in alternate years)
This course covers software mobile application development, its architecture and lifecycle as well as its inherent design considerations. Students will learn about mobile resources, activities, views, layouts, and intents in addition to interacting with the location-based services, messaging services, multimedia interfaces, and sensors available on the mobile device. The applications developed will manage data input from and output to files, databases, and content providers. After developing applications in an emulation environment, students will install them on individual mobile devices as well as prepare them for marketplace distribution. (offered in alternate years)
This course involves programming languages; historical perspective and underlying serial computation model; theory: finite automata, Backus-Naur Form, representations, and grammars; and design: syntax, semantics, run-time implementation, and application domains. Language paradigms will include procedural, functional, logical, object-oriented, and non-sequential processing. (offered in alternate years)
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
This course is an introduction to specialized areas of computer science. The topics will vary from term to term.
The intent of this course is to focus on basic concepts and major issues of project design using a software engineering approach; the software development life cycle; structured analysis and object-oriented design techniques; and modeling, project planning, requirements definition, and requirements testing.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to do research with a faculty member. The student and the faculty member agree on the research project before the student registers for the course.
This course is a continuation of the 444 research course. It provides the student with an opportunity to continue to conduct research with a faculty member.
This course introduces data mining, with an emphasis on applying machine learning techniques for data mining; popular methods, such as learning of decision trees, decision tables, rules, and cases; algorithms and applicability; practical applications; data preparation and evaluation of results, including human role in data mining; and ethical issues. (offered in alternate years)
Intelligent systems technologies that have or may become practical for organizational use will be addressed in this course. Topics may include simple expert systems and expert systems with certainty factors, case-based reasoning, machine learning, neural networks, genetic algorithms, fuzzy logic, and two-person game playing. (offered in alternate years)
Principles and concepts of process and resource management in operating systems will be the focus of this course. I/O programming; interrupt mechanism and memory management; processor management; scheduler; priority queues; traffic controller; device management; and information management and file systems are select topics. (offered in alternate years)
Internships offer part-time, paid, or non-paid employment in a cooperating site to provide practical experience in the discipline. Working under professional supervision for at least 20 hours per week, students learn how to apply their education to the everyday demands of the world of work. Students will meet regularly with a faculty member and will be encouraged to reflect on the relationship between coursework and their internship experience.
Students will engage in problem-solving strategies, including divide and conquer, greedy, backtracking, and dynamic programming; will focus on the complexity analysis of algorithms; and will be introduced to complexity classes P and NP, with strategies for NP-complete problems. (offered in alternate years)
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course provides an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of computer science. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course addresses implementation issues, programming language features, validation and verification techniques, and software maintenance. It requires a team project to develop, document, test, and maintain a software system.
Program Contact Information
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Holroyd Hall 123
(215) 951-1130
Jonathan Knappenberger, Ph.D.
Chair, Mathematics and Computer Science
knappenb@lasalle.edu
Kelley Tuman
Administrative Assistant I
tuman@lasalle.edu