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Computer Science Major

Computer Science Major


IN THIS SECTION
  • Computer Science
    • Computer Science Major
    • Computer Science Minor
  • Data Science
    • Data Science Minor

Get preparation in one of the fastest growing fields.

Get an education that promotes lifelong intellectual growth and prepares you for a professional career or advanced study. The program is grounded in the principles, theories, and application of the science of computing with special emphasis in the areas of big data analytics and software development.

You will develop the ability to effectively apply discipline knowledge to solve real-world problems, adapt as the field changes, and make ethical decisions. The curriculum provides the foundations of team skills and allows you to improve their interpersonal skills and professional attitudes. You will have an opportunity to participate in an internship and in undergraduate research.

Upon completion of the Computer Science Major, you will be able to:

  • Analyze a problem, develop/design multiple solutions, and evaluate and document the solutions based on the requirements
  • Communicate effectively both in written and oral form
  • Identify professional and ethical considerations and apply ethical reasoning to technological solutions to problems
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of negotiation, effective work habits, leadership, and good communication with teammates and stakeholders
  • Learn new models, techniques, and technologies as they emerge and appreciate the necessity of such continuing professional development

It is highly recommended that entering students have 4 years of high school mathematics including the equivalent of pre-calculus.

Students wishing to apply courses transferred from other institutions to the Computer Science Major should meet with the department chair to determine the applicability of the courses before registering for any computer science courses at Worcester State University.

A laptop computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux is required for courses in the computer science program. A Chromebook will not work.

Options

Explore the different options available to computer science majors.
  • Data is being generated at high speed, in large volumes, and by a variety of systems around the world. In such a data-driven and information-centric world, the ability to analyze information and make informed decisions is crucial to every field including business, medicine, the sciences, entertainment, and government. This concentration provides you with the skills, techniques, and knowledge needed to pursue a career in this field.

  • This interdisciplinary concentration will prepare you to enter the science-intensive fields of bioinformatics, computational biology, computational chemistry, and molecular modeling including genomics and proteomics. With the advent of the Human Genome Project, an explosion of genomics information has occurred, and databases such as GenBank and EMBL have grown at a rate that now requires storage, organizing, and indexing of the information.

    Questions of gene expression have led to computational biology, the process of analyzing genomic sequences, and to the field of proteomics, the understanding of protein structure and function. The information obtained by computational biology and computational chemistry is used in the design of new drugs to treat a variety of diseases. Major drug and biotechnology companies are seeking people trained in bioinformatics.

  • Software systems impact all aspects of life, from phones, to cars, to work lives, and beyond. Software developers analyze the software and infrastructure needs of people and organizations and then coordinate the design, implementation, and testing of the solutions. This concentration provides you with the skills, techniques, and knowledge needed to pursue a career in this field.

Explore sample courses in this program.
CS-101 Basics of Computer Science
A survey course that provides a foundation in computer science by presenting a practical and realistic understanding of the field.
3 credits
CS-120 Microcomputer Applications
Learning state-of-the-art application packages including but not limited to word processing, file and database management systems, and spreadsheets.
3 credits
CS-124 Health Informatics
Use of computers and information systems in health care. Databases and spreadsheets. Electronic health records.
3 credits
CS-131 Data Visualization and Statistical Analysis
The course focuses on basic data visualization methods, basic statistical analysis, use of R, current visualization and statistical analysis tools.
3 credits
CS-135 Programming for Non-CS Majors
Introduction to programming. Emphasis on practical skills, working with data sets, doing analysis and visualization. No prior programming experience required.
3 credits
CS-140 Introduction to Programming
Introduction to fundamental structures and concepts of computer science including object-oriented programming; 3 lecture hours and 1 2-hour laboratory.
4 credits
CS-141 Data Cleaning and Preprocessing
The course focuses on basic data cleaning and preprocessing tasks and basic methods to perform them and methods to generalize and summarize data.
3 credits
CS-155 Computer Networking and Security
This course covers network protocols and the internet; computer security fundamentals.
3 credits
CS-161 Web Design Using HTML
Introduces concepts needed for creation, design, and implementation of effective web pages. Latest versions of mark-up language(s) are used.
3 credits
CS-165 Digital Forensics
Digital forensics investigation; data acquisition; processing crime and incident scenes; multiple operating systems and file formats; digital forensics tools, analysis, and validation.
3 credits
CS-193 Special Topics in Computer Science for First-Year Students
Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first-year students. Offered only as a first-year seminar.
3 credits
CS-225 Discrete Structures I
Asymptotic notation, sequences, recursions and methods to solve them, proof techniques, relations, functions, sets and their basic properties.
3 credits
CS-242 Data Structures
Introduces time complexity and covers fundamental data structures: lists, stacks, queues, search trees, dictionaries, priority ques, B-trees, and inverted files.
3 credits
CS-248 Algorithm Analysis
Different algorithm design strategies, sorting, searching graph algorithms, parallel algorithms, algorithm complexity, Turing machines, NP-hard and NP-complete problems.
3 credits
CS-254 Computer Organization and Architecture
Combinational and sequential circuits, assembly language programming, digital computer architecture, instruction sets, addressing modes, memory hierarchies, I/O, and control circuits. 3 lecture hours and 2 laboratory hours per week.
4 credits
CS-265 Database Applications
This course introduces basic database concepts and teaches how to create and manage a database; relational databases, use SQL, NoSQL databases.
3 credits
CS-282 Unix Systems Programming
Problem solving and software design using C; introduction to UNIX programming utilities and text manipulation; low-level system programming in UNIX and C.
3 credits
CS-286 Database Design and Applications
Covers relational databases; database design using ER model; query processing using SQL; NoSQL databases.
3 credits
CS-295 Discrete Structures II
Logic, basic counting techniques, probabilities, basic graph theory.
3 credits
CS-297 Selected Topics in Computer Science
Topics of mutual interest to students and faculty.
1 to 4 credits
CS-335 Networking and Web Security
This course covers web and security problems, solutions, and techniques. Encryption, worms, viruses, firewall, safe practices, etc. are covered.
3 credits
CS-343 Software Construction, Design, and Architecture
Software construction techniques and tools, software architectures and frameworks, design patterns, object-oriented design and programming. Efficiency, reliability, and maintainability of software.
3 credits
CS-348 Software Process Management
Project management including planning, progress measurement, estimation, and risk assessment. Functional and non-functional requirements. Software licenses, contracts, and intellectual property.
3 credits
CS-373 Operating Systems
Hardware and software as an integrated system; development of system software for process management, resource allocation, memory management, and I/O processing.
3 credits
CS-380 Systems Programming
The design and implementation of assemblers, linkers, loaders, editors, and high level translation software. Algorithms solving specific problems of a system program are investigated.
3 credits
CS-383 Cloud, Parallel, and Distributed Computing
The course introduces basics of cloud computing and fundamental computing technologies used for big data platforms such as parallel, distributed computing.
3 credits
CS-405 Data Communications and Networking
Data transmission, encoding, interfacing, synchronization, data-link control, multiplexing, networking, circuit switching, packet switching, radio and satellite, local area networks, network access protocols.
3 credits
CS-408 Directed Study: Computer Science
Directed study offers students who, because of unusual circumstances, may be unable to register for a course when offered the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction of and with agreement from a faculty member.
3 credits
CS-443 Software Quality Assurance and Testing
Requirements analysis and test plan design. Testing strategies and techniques. Test coverage using statistical techniques. Code reviews and inspections.
3 credits
CS-448 Software Development Capstone
Development of a significant software system, following appropriate project and team management techniques. Requirements, design, implementation, quality assurance, professional, social, and ethical issues.
3 credits
CS-453 Data Mining
Topics include data warehousing and mediation techniques, data mining methods, rule-based learning, decision trees, association rules, and sequence mining.
3 credits
CS-471 Artificial Intelligence
Introduction to central issues of constructing intelligence systems. Examines historical and future trends of AI intelligence.
3 credits
CS-472 Robotics
Design and implementation of robotic systems, sensors and sensing, effectors, mechanics, control strategies and architectures, hardware and software issues.
3 credits
CS-483 Big Data Analytics Capstone
The course introduces methods and techniques used for big data analysis. The course discusses analytics tools for a variety of data applications and includes a major team project.
3 credits
CS-497 Selected Topics: Computer Science
Selection of topics of mutual interest to student and faculty.
1 to 6 credits
CS-498 Internship: Computer Science
Working in and for an organization where skills can be tested in real situations in order to gain experience, increase knowledge in various functional areas, and establish important contacts with an organization.
3 credits
CS-499 Independent Study: Computer Science
An opportunity for advanced students to examine topics not normally taught in other mathematics or computer courses. Geared to the interests of both the student and the instructor.
1 to 6 credits

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