The Applied Computer Science concentration balances the study of concepts and theory of computer science with the practical application of software engineering. This program teaches students to develop and use abstract models for analytic, descriptive, and predictive studies of real-world phenomena and systems. Students will be exposed to several primary research areas in computer science, such as distributed systems, database design, the object-oriented paradigm, and analysis of algorithms. Software engineering topics include requirements analysis, software design, and software verification and validation. Graduates will be qualified to analyze, design, and implement computer systems; manage software projects via planning, organization, scheduling, cost estimation, and process evaluation; and work in and lead teams that undertake all aspects of the software development process. The major core courses, electives, and project experience practicum provide further depth and an opportunity for specialization.
Non-thesis option
The non-thesis option, the Software Development Project, is designed to develop practical skills in computer systems development. In the first semester course, Research Methods, students investigate the scope and technical aspects of a real world project. In the three Project courses, a team of students, under the direction of a faculty member, gathers requirements, analyzes them, writes specifications, designs, implements, tests, and delivers a full system. Students choose a development process, manage the project scheduling and perform a project post-mortem to analyze their development process.
Thesis option
The thesis option begins with Research Methods, in which a student does a preliminary investigation of a research topic of interest to the student and a faculty thesis advisor. After the proposal is accepted and a committee of faculty is formed, the student takes the Directed Research and Thesis courses, in which the student conducts the research and writes the thesis. Close cooperation with the faculty thesis advisor is required throughout the process. The final thesis is defended by the student before the thesis committee.
For a listing of recent theses, please visit thesis topics.
Applied Computer Science Concentration Requirements:
Major core courses (10 credits)
-
CSCI 5200 Software Systems Engineering (3)
CSCI 5230 Software Project Management (3)
CSCI 5300 Principles and Applications of Software Design (3)
CSCI 5520 Research Methods in Computer Science (1)
Concentration Specific Courses (12 credits)
Course (3 credits each)
-
CSCI 5150 Topics in Distributed Systems (3)
CSCI 5220 Software Verification and Validation (3)
CSCI 5250 Database Design (3)
CSCI 5620 Analysis of Algorithms (3)
Electives - choose 6 credits
-
CSCI 5100 Computer Architecture: Advanced Concepts (3)
CSCI 5157 Interactive Graphics (3)
CSCI 5217 Ethical Issues in Computing (3)
CSCI 5220 Software Verification and Validation (3)
CSCI 5360 Network and System Administration (3)
CSCI 5417 Data Communications and Network Security (3)
CSCI 5460 Network and Information Security (3)
CSCI 5610 Formal Languages and Computational Complexity (3)
CSCI 5710 E-Commerce Implementation (3)
CSCI 5720 Enterprise and E-Business Integration (3)
CSCI 5800 Principles of Computer Graphics and Image Processing (3)
CSCI 5957 selected sections of Special Topics in Computer Science (1-6)*
DIGM 5831 Interactive Multimedia
MATH 5340 Graph Theory and Its Application
Capstone - choose one sequence (9 credits)
Course (3 credits each)
-
CSCI 5910 Software Development Project I (3)
CSCI 5920 Software Development Project II (3)
CSCI 5930 Software Development Project III (3)
OR:
CSCI 5550 Directed Research 1 (3)
CSCI 5551 Directed Research 2 (3)
CSCI 5960 Thesis (3)
* please consult with the graduate coordinator before enrolling this course.
