Computer Science

Faculty
Serhii Kalynovs'kyi, Chair
Tony Biehl
Michael Lee
Joseph Tobing

Introduction
The emphases provided by the Computer Science and Information Systems programs offer students a selection that can prepare them for success in systems administration, scientific research, data processing management, and systems analysis. The programs provide students with the essential theoretical foundation and practical implementation of the science of computing. This foundation includes algorithms and data structures, architecture, artificial intelligence and robotics, database and information retrieval, human-computer communication, numerical and symbolic computation, operating systems, programming languages, and software methodology and engineering.

These are the nine subject areas for Computer Science identified by a Joint Curriculum Task Force from the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Computer Society (IEEE) in their "Computing Curricula." For the Information Systems degree, the report from the Joint Curriculum Task Force of the ACM, Association for Information Systems (AIS), and Associations for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) is used which is entitled "Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems."

Graduates of CUC who have completed majors or minors in computer science have been in great demand by employers and by graduate programs in computer-related fields. Many are working in the Washington, D.C., area at government installations and business institutions, pursuing careers in programming, systems analysis, systems design, information systems, image processing, software development, and artificial intelligence.

CUC computer science students enjoy two important advantages: ready access to computers from both on and off campus and excellent job opportunities in the immediate vicinity that apply classroom learning. Students have access to Sun workstations, Pentiums, Power Macintoshes, and an HP 3000 computer where they can work on projects at their own rate outside of class. Many students have computer-related jobs with local employers that allow them to earn money and learn about computers at the same time. Every CUC computer science major has the opportunity to work the equivalent of two full-time semesters at a challenging computer-related job through CUC's Cooperative Education Program after acquiring sufficient background.

Efforts are made to accommodate students' diverse learning styles. Women, people from disadvantaged groups, and non-traditional students are especially urged to enroll in the computer science program.

Program Objectives
Computer Science majors:

1. Should gain enough computer-related skills to compete successfully in the computer-oriented job market. They should be proficient in the design, operation, and programming of computers.

2. Should have significant exposure to the principles of computer organization and numerical analysis.

3. Should pursue some area of interest outside of Computer Science, resulting in a minor or a second major. They must complete a minor or second major in mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, or other relevant field.

4. Should have enough knowledge of mathematics, including analysis and finite mathematics, to understand Computer Science and its applications. In particular, a beginning knowledge of calculus or axiomatics, discrete structures, and probability is required.

Information Systems majors:

1. Should be proficient in the design of databases and information systems as well as in programming.

2. Should have significant exposure to the principles of programming, database design, and systems analysis.

3. Those concentrating in Information Systems should complete a significant number of courses in accounting or management. See options in the concentration descriptions that follow.

Scholarship and internship opportunities:

Below are some links which you can find helpful while hunting for scholarship and internship opportunities:

ORAU - Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a diverse organization headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tenn., with an office in Washington, D.C., and staff at several other locations across the country with a mission to advance scientific research and education through academic partnerships with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. Visit ORAU site to look for scholarship and internship opportunities mainly in DC Metro area, but also in other various parts of the country:

http://see.orau.org/AcademicStatus.aspx?type=Undergrad

NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) sponsors undergraduates to be part of Summer Institute. This program is designed to introduce undergraduate students majoring in all areas of the physical sciences/engineering to research opportunities in the atmospheric, biospheric, hydrospheric, and solar and space plasma sciences, both theoretical and experimental. Goddard center is within bus drive from CUC campus.

http://neptune.gsfc.nasa.gov/summerinstitute/#intro

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Educational Partnership Program student scholarship & internship programs. This program targets students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, attending minority serving institutions (MSIs). Some of our students has been successful participants of this program. Most of internships are withing a bus ride from CUC campus. NOAA headquarters are near CUC campus. Visit NOAA/EPP site and find often exotic internships, which may include ocean expeditions or studying of marine mammals:

http://epp.noaa.gov/undergrad_scholar/welcome.html#top

WHOI - Woods Hall Oceanographic Institution (MA) is awarding both summer and one-semester student fellowships with special opportunities for minority undergraduates:

http://www.whoi.edu/education/undergraduate/undergraduate.html

VT - Virginia Tech Career Services site has a comprehensive guide to internships and extensive listingsin DC Metro area, Virginia and all over the country:

http://www.career.vt.edu/WebSites/Internships.htm

CIA - Central Intelligence Agency has important, exciting jobs for US citizens, especially those with foreign language skills. CIA is commited to diversity and offers scholarships and internships for qualified undergraduates:

http://www.cia.gov/employment/student.html#app