DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science Major | Computer Science Minor

Course Descriptions

Chair: Peter A. Cooper (936) 294-1569

Faculty: David Burris, Ken Hartness, Jiahuang Ji, Timothy McGuire, Karon Murff, Gary Smith

Website: Computer Science: www.cs.shsu.edu    Digital Forensics: df.shsu.edu

Mission

The Department of Computer Science is a community of faculty staff and students, centered in the computer science disciplines. The Department of Computer Science is dedicated to providing the highest quality education possible to its graduate and undergraduate students through excellence in teaching and excellence in research. The department is committed to furthering the pursuit of knowledge and meeting the needs of a diverse society.

The Department of Computer Science seeks to provide an environment that encourages innovative thinking, academic rigor and the pursuit of scholarship in an atmosphere that promotes high ethical and moral values and mutual respect, embracing diversity, and working towards a goal of instilling a life-long love of learning.

Academic Programs

BS in Computing Science

The Computer Science program offers major study plans for students wishing to pursue careers as a programmer/analyst/software engineer, as network and database administrators, as digital forensics and information security professionals, or to prepare for advanced studies at the graduate level. Minor study plans are offered which can be tailored to the needs of students majoring in almost any field. A plan leading to secondary teacher certification in Computer Science is also offered.

Highlights

Sam Houston State University provides a comprehensive computing environment for students. The Computer Services Department operates a large number of computing laboratories containing desktop computers, and workstations. A variety of operating systems, network protocols, programming languages and application packages are available. Students have full access to the Internet and E-mail facilities when on campus and through dial-up facilities from off-campus. In addition to the institutional facilities, the Department of Computer Science operates a range of lab facilities to support its mission and programs, including a network lab, data recovery and a network security lab. The department operates a 40-node symmetric multiprocessing system for use in parallel processing, digital forensics, cryptanalysis and steganographic research. The department also has access to state of the art visualization facilities. As part of its operations, the department of Computer Science houses the Sam Houston State University Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics, a center dedicated to the development of digital forensics training for law enforcement personnel and research opportunities into forensics and security issues.

Career Opportunities

Computing professionals support many scientific, governmental and commercial enterprises though network and communication systems management, application (computer program) development and maintenance, and hardware design. The management of computing resources within organizations is typically a mission critical activity and computing professionals occupy key organizational roles as network and database administrators, software engineers, systems analysts and programmers. Of key concern in today’s modern environment is the protection, assurance and recovery of computing resources, providing opportunities for those wanting to work in the information assurance and digital forensics fields.

Suggested Minors

There is no minor required for the degrees offered within the Department of Computer Science.

Student Organizations

Sam Houston Association of Computer Scientists - The club sponsors fieldtrips, campus visits by guest speakers and occasional student/faculty outings.

Internships

The Computer Science department does not operate internships as part of its degree program.

Scholarships

The Department of Computer Science offers the following scholarships:

• The Johnny Cook Kelly Memorial Scholarship: awarded to undergraduate computer science majors with a preference given to students from Walker County.
• The Mohamed Ahmed Noman Scholarship: awarded to full time undergraduate students working toward a degree in Computer Science.
• The Kailas and Becky Rao Scholarship in honor of Mr. Albert Kidd: awarded to full time graduate or undergraduate students in good standing and majoring in Computer Science.
• Departmental Academic Scholarships: awarded to full time graduate or undergraduate students in good standing and majoring in Computer Science.

Each of these scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and registration in courses leading to a degree in Computer Science. Other criteria are also pertinent to individual scholarships. More information can be obtained through the department.

Program Specific Requirements

The baccalaureate degree in Computer Science has the following program specific requirements: Mathematics: 15-17 hours (6 upper division).

The specific requirements are: MTH 142/143 or 199/299, MTH 295, MTH /STA 379 and 3 hrs Advanced MTH/STA. The math sequence MTH 142/143 is essential for students interested in aerospace and engineering disciplines.

Science: 16 hours.

The specific requirements are: two 4-hour labs (3 hours lecture + 1 hour lab) in each of the two sciences.

Curriculum

Major in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science

The Computer Science major requires a total of 41 hours of Computer Science coursework. General degree requirements must also be met. The 44 hours of coursework for the Computer Science major should be distributed as follows (NOTE: CS 133, CS 138, and CS 143 may not be used to meet this requirement):

CS 431 is recommended for students electing to complete the Information Systems concentration. Computer Science and Information Assurance tracks require CS 278 ("C"). Information Systems tracks require CS 278 ("COBOL").

Note: The minimum number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree is 128. The minimum number of advanced credit hours for a baccalaureate degree is 42. Students may take free elective courses beyond the hours identified in the recommended 4-year plan to meet the overall credit hour and advanced credit hour requirements.

Suggested Courses of Study
Computer Science (IS)

Note: The minimum number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree is 128. The minimum number of advanced credit hours for a baccalaureate degree is 42. Students may take free elective courses beyond the hours identified in the recommended 4-year plan to meet the overall credit hour and advanced credit hour requirements.

Suggested Courses of Study
Computer Science (IA)

Note: The minimum number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree is 128. The minimum number of advanced credit hours for a baccalaureate degree is 42. Students may take free elective courses beyond the hours identified in the recommended 4-year plan to meet the overall credit hour and advanced credit hour requirements.

Students with extensive high school programming experience may elect to begin a major or minor program with CS 147 or CS 272. Students who have taken the advanced placement computer science examination may be eligible for credit for CS 146 and CS 147.

Minor in Computer Science

A Computer Science Minor consists of 21 hours of Computer Science coursework of which at least 9 hours must be advanced. Two recommended minor plans are shown here. Modifications may be made to meet individual student needs as approved by the Computer Science Department Chair. Individualized minor plans are available for students seeking a Computer Science minor for Certification.

Computer Science Minor:

Students will select an emphasis from one of the following tracks:

Course Descriptions:

• Computer Science (CS)
• Digital Forensics (DF)