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The Computer and Information Science Department (DCIS) supports two distinctly different majors – Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.

The Computer Science (COMS) major has as its focus core CS areas of software design, data representation, data management, and transmission of data via files and networks. Application areas engaging CS majors are web development, computer hardware organization, networking, security, graphics, simulation and artificial intelligence. Generally, graduates of this program of study are recruited as systems programmers/administrators (with responsibilities in the areas of compiler, operating system or utility program design), network, database or security administrators, web programmers, scientific or application software engineers, designers, or analysts. For a detailed listing of the computer science program goals and outcomes, please see below.

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) major has as its focus the processing of data for business or government use. File processing and database management are central to this activity, which typically includes replication of clerical function, generation of management reports, and provision of decision support information. Graduates of this program typically are recruited as business application programmers, web designers, database developers or administrators, technical writers, network administrators or support staff, or as end-user computing support personnel.

Both the Computer Science and Computer Information Systems programs of study are based on the curricular recommendations of the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Both programs of study have undergone curricular revision recently, and are kept up-to-date through not only their required courses, but also the choice of electives contained within each. The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

In addition, a 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 18 credit hours of CAIS-labeled coursework that is planned and approved in conjunction with a Computer and Information Science faculty advisor.

Transfer Student Policy

Any transfer student shall be required to take at least 18 credit hours of Westfield State University CAIS-labeled coursework, as well as meet any other programmatic requirements that may be in effect at the time and/or applicable to the student, in order to receive a Westfield State University degree in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems. Also, for the Computer Information Systems major, a minimum of two courses (6-8 credits) of the 4 course (12-15 credit) requirement of Tier 2 and/or Tier 3 elective coursework required must be satisfied by coursework taken from the Computer and Information Science Department at Westfield State University.

Computer Science Program Goals and Outcomes

Goal #1: students will secure an understanding of computer science foundational principles.

OUTCOMES

1. Students demonstrate the basics of logic, circuit design, and the elements of computer architecture
2. Students apply the following mathematical principles: Boolean algebra, mathematical models of automata, discrete mathematical structures, and recurrence
3. Students write programs that use searching, sorting, counting, including the concepts of step-wise refinement, appropriate control constructs, modern design techniques, object-oriented principles and standard data structures
4. Students demonstrate an understanding of concurrency
5. Students demonstrate how to integrate what they have learned into larger-scale projects
6. Students demonstrate an understanding of basic data storage representations
7. Students describe ways in which an operating system functions, particularly with respect to its task of man/machine interface
8. Students demonstrate their understanding of the ethical conflicts which face a computer scientist
9. Students demonstrate an ability to debug programs

Goal #2: students will have experience working in at least 4 areas of modern computer science.

OUTCOMES

1. Students demonstrate the ability to analyze, design, implement, verify, and maintain software systems, using quality assurance techniques of software engineering
2. Students demonstrate tools and techniques of systems programming to produce code that is reliable, portable, and secure
3. Students design database management systems using conceptual models and schemas of data
4. Students demonstrate the basics of at least one of the following: graphics, compilers, programming languages, artificial intelligence, or networking

Goal #3: students will be prepared for a career as a computing professional or for graduate study.

OUTCOMES

1. Graduates confirm that they are prepared for professional positions
2. Employers confirm that our graduates are prepared for positions they hold

Programs

• Computer and Information Science Minor
• Computer Information Systems, B.S.
• Computer Information Systems, End-User Computing Concentration, B.S.
• Computer Science, B.S.

Courses

Note: “Knowledge of a high-level programming language” may be satisfied by CAIS 0117 , CAIS 0120  CAIS 0131, CAIS 0132 , CAIS 0205 , CAIS 0212 , or comparable previous programming experience.

• CAIS 0101 - Computers in Society
• CAIS 0102 - Computer Science Principles
• CAIS 0117 - Introduction to Computer Programming (Basic)
• CAIS 0120 - Computer Science/Program Design I
• CAIS 0124 - The Personal Computer
• CAIS 0125 - Introduction to Computer Information Systems
• CAIS 0132 - Programming in C++
• CAIS 0200 - Programming Language Module
• CAIS 0205 - Introduction to Cobol
• CAIS 0210 - Database Application Development Techniques
• CAIS 0212 - Visual Programming Concepts
• CAIS 0216 - Web-Based Application Development
• CAIS 0220 - Computer Science/Program Design II
• CAIS 0230 - Data Structures/Algorithm Analysis
• CAIS 0236 - Computer Organization and Architecture
• CAIS 0240 - Software Engineering
• CAIS 0265 - Introduction to Digital Electronics and Microprocessors
• CAIS 0280 - Special Topics in Computer and Information Science
• CAIS 0290 - Introduction to Computer Security
• CAIS 0301 - Compiler Design
• CAIS 0302 - Computer Science Seminar
• CAIS 0305 - Elements of Systems Programming
• CAIS 0307 - Organization of Programming Languages
• CAIS 0308 - Advanced Cobol/File Processing
• CAIS 0310 - Database Management
• CAIS 0312 - End-User Computing: an Overview
• CAIS 0315 - Multimedia Presentation Technology
• CAIS 0316 - Web Programming
• CAIS 0337 - Networking and Client/Server Computing
• CAIS 0339 - Operating Systems
• CAIS 0341 - Computer Graphics
• CAIS 0346 - Systems Analysis and Design
• CAIS 0347 - Introduction to Networking
• CAIS 0348 - Computer Simulation
• CAIS 0350 - Artificial Intelligence
• CAIS 0351 - Introduction to the Theory of Computation
• CAIS 0353 - Applied Development Project
• CAIS 0363 - Computer Science Senior Project
• CAIS 0380 - Special Topics in Computer and Information Science
• CAIS 0396 - Computer Science Internship A
• CAIS 0397 - Computer Science Internship B

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