Computer Science Major
@ Concordia University Wisconsin

Computer Science at CUW

CUW currently offers both an undergraduate minor and a major (BS degree) in computer science.
This document focuses on the BS degree in CS.

Computer Science - the Discipline

Computer science can be succinctly defined as problem solving. The computer scientist is an individual who is concerned with creating computer systems, with an emphasis on software, which will assist other people in solving problems. The computer scientist is proficient with current software applications and hardware technologies; however, more importantly, the computer scientist possesses a deep understanding of the concepts underlying current computer technology. The computer scientist is chiefly concerned with algorithms - general methods of solving problems. The computer scientist observes specific problems with their associated manual solutions and then attempts to create a general algorithm for the problem. Computer scientists must be creative; they must be able to discover creative ways to apply problem-solving techniques to new and diverse situations.

Computer Science - Student Preparation

The computer science student should begin the computer science program with a strong high school background in mathematics, science, and English.

Computer Science - Employment Opportunities

A computer scientist may be employed by a software development firm and create application packages for commercial use. The computer scientist creates software applications as tools to solve other people's problems. The software created could range from scientific 'number-crunching' to business 'file processing' to home 'entertainment' applications. A computer scientist could also create technical tools for other professionals, such as: programming languages, compilers, operating systems and the like.

Since problem-solvers will always be in demand, regardless of the field or specific job, a computer scientist is in a unique position to transfer problem solving skills to a great many different environments. A major in computer science does not mean that you are doomed to spend the rest of your life in a "windowless room" staring at a CRT and endlessly typing on a keyboard! Many computer scientists spend a great deal of time interacting with other people in such jobs as: systems analyst, technical marketing representative, technical sales representative, service/support engineer, quality assurance engineer or program manager. A few deranged souls even go on to graduate school and become college professors. A quick check of the employment classifieds in any metropolitan newspaper will reveal the demand for computer science graduates.

Computer Science - the Framework

The computer science program at CUW is a "pure" computer science program; that is, it is not meant to be a "programming degree" or an "MIS" degree. The curriculum is modeled after recommendations made by computer science professional societies for 4 year BS degree programs. (The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) combined to specify a model BS degree program in Computing Curriculum 1991.)

The program requires a strong liberal arts core because a computer scientist must be creative (exposed to many, different disciplines) and able to communicate effectively. Most importantly, the Christian worldview of CUW is reflected within the computer science curriculum.

A unique aspect of the CUW computer science program is the first course, CSC 150. CSC 150 is a broad survey of computer science and is part of a new, national trend in computer science education. CSC 150 is the foundational course for the computer science program.

Computer Science - Advantages of CUW

CUW is a teaching, not a research, university. Our primary goal is to ensure educational success within a Christian framework. Unlike large, state universities, CUW does not employ graduate TAs to teach courses. All courses are taught by faculty professors who care about their work.
All computer science instructors have relevant work experience in the field. Thus, they are able to bring valuable "real world" experience into the classroom, ensuring that course material is relevant and worthwhile.
CUW students enjoy small class size which results in individual attention and enhanced learning opportunities.
CUW has fantastic computing facilities. Possessing the some of the finest computer laboratories for a school of its size, CUW is able to offer students exposure to a wide variety of computing hardware and software.
Most importantly, the Christian framework of CUW provides a natural environment for the integration of ethics into the curriculum. Today, employers demand that students be enlightened on moral and ethical issues in computing; CUW provides ethical and moral instruction integrated into the curriculum.

Computer Science - Faculty

Locklair, Gary, BA Chemistry, BS Computer Science - California State U, Sacramento; MS Computer Science - U of Idaho; LCMS teaching colloquy - CUW; PhD Computer Science - Nova Southeastern U
Menuge, Angus, BA Philosophy - U of Warwick, England; MA, PhD Philosophy - U of Wisconsin
Williams, Jeff, BA Business - Elmhurst College, M.Div - Concordia Theological Seminary, PhD student - Kansas State U

Gary Locklair is currently the department chair. Jeff Williams and Gary Locklair have a full-time commitment teaching in the computer science department; Angus Menuge shares teaching responsibility with other departments.

Computer Science Major - Program Requirements

Core Curriculum 48 credits

any Calculus course is required for Mathematics
any 4 credit Chemistry or Physics course is required for Science

Professional Core 19 credits

any 4 credit Physics course (not included in the Core above)
MATH 205, Statistics I
MATH 220, Discrete Mathematics
MATH 470, Computational Methods
PHIL 211, Elementary Symbolic Logic
SCI 303, Cosmogony

Major 42 credits

Required 36 credits CSC 150, Introduction to Computer Science
CSC 175, Advanced Software Applications
CSC 250, Computer Science Theory and Practice I
CSC 300, Computer Science Theory and Practice II
CSC 325, Computer Organization and Architecture I
CSC 425, Computer Organization and Architecture II
CSC 350, Computer Operating Systems
CSC 370, Software Engineering
CSC 450, Systems Software
CSC 470, Programming Languages
CSC 490, Senior Seminar I
CSC 491, Senior Seminar II

choice of any 300-level or above CSC/MCS course with approval of advisor

CSC 390, Special Topics (may be repeated with change of topic)
example topics: Information and Intelligence,
            Science of Algorithms,
            Theory of Computation,
            Data Communications,
            Computing and Information Ethics
CSC 400, Internship (3 credits maximum)

Minor 18+ credits

Electives 6 credits

Program total (minimum) for BS degree -- 133 credits

Computer Science Major - Sample Schedule

1st Year

Fall - 16 credits	Spring - 16 credits
CSC 150 (3)	CSC 175 (3)
PHYS 121 (4)	MATH 205 (3)
MATH 197 (3)	ENG 103 (3)
HIST 103 (3)	COMM 105 (3)
REL 100 (3)	ENG 104 (3)

WINTERIM: Elective (3)

2nd Year

Fall - 16 credits	Spring - 15 credits
CSC 250 (3)	CSC 300 (3)
CHEM 205 (4)	CSC 370 (3)
MATH 220 (3)	HIST 221 (3)
PHIL 201 (3)	PHIL 211 (3)
GRK 201 (3)	MINOR course

WINTERIM: SCI 303 (3)

3rd Year

Fall - 15 credits	Spring - 15 credits
CSC 325 (3)	CSC 425 (3)
CSC 350 (3)	CSC 450 (3)
REL 110 (3)	MATH 470 (3)
SOC 101 (3)	ART elective (3)
MINOR course (3)	MINOR course (3)

WINTERIM: REL 379 (3)

4th Year

Fall - 15 credits	Spring - 13.5 credits
CSC elective (3)	CSC elective (3)
CSC 470 (3)	CSC 491 (3)
CSC 490 (3)	HHP 100 (1)
POLS 201 (3)	HHP 160 (1)
MINOR course (3)	MINOR course (3)
	MINOR course (3)