School of Information Technology and Computing
Contact Information
Phone: 325-674-2206
Majors:Computer Science (BS)
Minors:Computer Science
*A collaborative degree offered with the | Faculty Timothy Coburn, Professor
Course Descriptions
|
Introduction
Over the last decade, rapid advances in technology, specifically digital technology, have lead to dramatic changes in society and in the global economy. Computer- and technology-related fields claim some of the highest projected job growth in the United States, with software engineering, data communications, networking, and systems analysis and administration among the most top-rated careers.
The School of Information Technology and Computing at Abilene Christian University exists to train and educate students in fields of study associated with today’s fast-paced, high tech arena. The School integrates training in computer-related technology at ACU into a single, interdisciplinary administrative unit, encompassing faculty and students with a wide variety of computational and technological interests. The curriculum is flexible and dynamic, with courses available in a broad range of technical subjects and skills.
Two main programs are available: a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology. The computer science program includes two different options: a traditional computer science option and a software engineering option. The computer science option prepares students for careers in technical or scientific computing and provides the foundation for graduate training, while the software engineering option is more specifically focused on programming and software applications. The information technology degree is centered more on the implementation and administration of physical hardware, software, and communications systems and infrastructure. Designed to be interdisciplinary in nature, this program requires a set of core technology courses, a number of elective courses that allow students to pursue their particular information technology interests, and a minor in a second field of application.
The School of Information Technology and Computing cooperates with the College of Business Administration to offer a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in information systems. This program is available for individuals who want to focus on the development and management of strategic information and technology resources that support business functions and initiatives. Students may elect to include courses in business intelligence and business analytics.
Accelerated Masters of Science in Computer Science
Students with an undergraduate major in computer science may pursue an accelerated masters degree in computer science at Texas Tech University, which offers graduate programs at its Abilene campus. Through an alliance between the two universities, qualified students may complete both a bachelor of science in computer science at Abilene Christian University and a masters of science degree in computer science at Texas Tech University in five years. A total of 152 semester hours are required for the combined program. Interested students must declare their intentions early in their academic careers and maintain regular communications with their academic advisors.
Facilities and Resources
The School of Information Technology and Computing utilizes up-to-date computer labs with approximately ninety seats available for teaching and student use. Both Windows- and Unix-based machines are available, with lab equipment being refreshed every three years. All classrooms and lecture halls are “smart” facilities, outfitted with Internet connections, video projectors, and other resources that facilitate multi-media instruction. Wireless hot spots are found throughout the academic facilities; and students have access to some of the top applications software used in industry, including SAS, SPSS, and SAP.
Student Organizations
The School of Information Technology and Computing sponsors a student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. Each year, teams of ACU students participate in the International Collegiate Programming Contest, and ACU periodically serves as a host site.
The School of Information Technology and Computing also hosts the Virtual Planes Users Group (VPUG) - an interdisciplinary student interest group devoted to the development of computer games and other digital entertainment technologies.
Scholarships and Internships
Outstanding scholarship opportunities are available for students with strong academic credentials and who demonstrate promise for continued success in a technology field. Students with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. All scholarship inquiries should be directed to ACU’s Office of Admissions.
Student participation in internships is one of the most important aspects of the hiring decision of potential employers in the computer technology arena. Excellent internship opportunities are available for qualified students.
Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.
Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to one of the programs offered by the School of Information Technology and Computing, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.
COMPUTER SCIENCE (BS)
BS: COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE PLAN (CS) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature .......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
PHYS 335/336 Introduction to Electronics with Lab .................................................. Choose one course from: biology, chemistry, geology, AENV 130, ANSC 111, | 3 3 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 185 Calculus I ........................................................................................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BS DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
| ENGL 326 Business and Professional Writing .......................................................... | 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
PHIL 486 Ethics or Choose two from: anthropology, economics (also AGRB 261), geography, history, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (unless SOCI 460) (maximum one course per area) ..................................................................... |
6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, MUSM 231, MUSM 232, MUSM 233, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ..................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BS CORE ..................................................................................................... | 15 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Computer Science | |
CS 115 Introduction to Programming .................................................................... CS 120 Programming I ........................................................................................ CS 130 Programming II and Data Structures ......................................................... CS 220 Computer Organization and Single-User Systems ....................................... CS/IT 221 Fundamentals of Networking and Data Communications .......................... CS 230 Object-Oriented Programming .................................................................. CS 495 Computer Science Senior Seminar (writing-intensive course) ...................... Advanced CS selections: Choose three courses (300-499) ...................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 9 |
| Information Technology | |
| IT 220 Introduction to Databases and Database Management Systems .................... | 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 32 |
| CONCENTRATIONS (CHOOSE ONE) | |
| Computer Science | |
CS 332 Design and Analysis of Algorithms ............................................................. CS 341 Numerical Methods .................................................................................. CS 352 Programming Languages .......................................................................... CS 356 Operating Systems .................................................................................. CS 365 Theory of Computation ............................................................................ CS 467 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence .......................................................... MATH 286 Calculus III ......................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| Software Engineering | |
CS 330 The Human-Computer Interface ................................................................ CS 374 Software Engineering ............................................................................... CS 376 Software Testing and Quality Assurance .................................................... CS 474 Object-Oriented Design ............................................................................ IT 125 Web Development I .................................................................................. IT 325 Web Development II ................................................................................. MGMT 459 Project Management ............................................................................ | 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 21 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| Mathematics | |
MATH 186 Calculus II .......................................................................................... MATH 187 Calculus Computer Lab ........................................................................ MATH 227 Discrete Mathematics ........................................................................... MATH 325 Linear Algebra ..................................................................................... MATH 361 Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 377 Statistical Methods I ........................................................................ | 3 1 3 3
3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 13 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 6 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade in CS 115, 120, 130, 220, 221, 495; IT 220 ..................................... Minimum GPA in major and concentration courses .................................................. Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | C 2.00 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
Students pursuing the information technology degree are required to select and complete an
18-hour approved area of support as part of their academic program. This requirement can be satisfied by selecting a pre-existing minor (other than business) established by another department within the university or an approved 6-course (18-hour) area of emphasis. Students interested in business should pursue the BBA in information systems rather than the BS in information technology.
Some approved technical/vocational courses may be transferred from a technical school, junior college, or other two-year degree granting institution. A maximum of twelve semester hours (or four courses) may be transferred for lower-division credit. Up to twelve hours of lower-division credit may also be assigned on the basis of documented work experience, military training, and/or competency testing. The combination of transferred hours or assigned credit may not exceed twelve semester hours.
BS: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PLAN (IT) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ Advanced Bible ................................................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature........................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
Choose from (must include two different fields): biology, chemistry, geology, physics, AENV 130, ANSC 111, ANSC 235, ENVR 112, NUTR 120 ....................... | 6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 131 Calculus for Applications ....................................................................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BS DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 326 Business and Professional Writing .......................................................... | 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
ECON 261 Principles of Microeconomics ................................................................. PHIL 486 Ethics or Choose one from: anthropology, geography, history, political science, psychology (also EDUC 221), sociology (unless SOCI 460) ................................ | 3 3
3 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, MUSM 231, MUSM 232, MUSM 233, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ..................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BS CORE ..................................................................................................... | 15 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Computer Science | |
CS 115 Introduction to Programming .................................................................... CS 120 Programming I ........................................................................................ | 3 3 |
| Information Systems | |
IS 405 System Analysis and Design ...................................................................... IS 430 Management of Information and Technology Resources (writing-intensive course) ............................................................................... | 3
3 |
| Information Technology | |
IT 120 Introduction to Information Technology ....................................................... IT 125 Web Development I .................................................................................. IT 220 Introduction to Databases and Database Management Systems .................... IT/CS 221 Fundamentals of Networking and Data Communication ........................... IT 310 Introduction to Computer and Information Security ...................................... | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| Management | |
| MGMT 459 Project Management ............................................................................ | 3 |
| Advanced Selections | |
| Choose four courses from: CS 320, CS 420, IS 330, IS 415, IS 432, IT 300-499 ......................................... |
|
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 42 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| MATH 109 Precalculus I or MATH 130 Finite Math for Applications .............................................................. MATH 377 Statistical Methods I or IS 322 Business Statistics ............................................................................... |
3
3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 6 |
| SUPPORT AREA | |
18 hours of directed study: an existing minor or an approved 6-course area of emphasis (excluding business and courses used to satisfy other degree requirements) |
18 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 6 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade in CS 115, 120; IT 120, 125, 220, 221, 310 .................................... Minimum GPA in major requirements .................................................................... Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | C 2.00 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
Minors in Computer Science and Information Technology
A minor in computer science or information technology may be added to other degrees.
| MINOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE (CS) | |
|---|---|
CS 115 Introduction to Programming .................................................................... CS 120 Programming I ........................................................................................ CS 130 Programming II and Data Structures ......................................................... CS 220 Computer Organization and Single-User Systems ....................................... CS 332 Design and Analysis of Algorithms ............................................................. Choose one of: CS 320 Database Programming and Design ...................................................... CS 374 Software Engineering .......................................................................... | 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 18 |
| MINOR: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) | |
|---|---|
CS 115 Introduction to Programming .................................................................... IT 125 Web Development I .................................................................................. IT 220 Introduction to Databases and Database Management Systems .................... IT 221 Fundamentals of Networks and Data Communications .................................. Advanced IT Selections (Choose two: 300-499) .................................................... | 3 3 3 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 18 |
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