The program requires extensive studies in mathematics and other areas in addition to the core computer science courses involving programming, data structures, computer systems, algorithm
Trang 1University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Curriculum Proposal Form #1
New Degree, Major, or Submajor
Effective Term: 2151 (Spring 2015)
Program Title: Computer Science Major - Comprehensive Emphasis
GPA Required in the Major/Submajor: 2.0
Sponsor(s): Jiazhen Zhou, Zachary Oster, and Angela Harlan
Department(s): Mathematical and Computer Sciences
College(s): Letters and Sciences
Consultation took place: NA Yes (list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Check if:
New Degree: Intent to Plan * New Degree: Final Proposal New Major: Intent to Plan * New Major: Final Proposal New Submajor: Minor New Submajor: Emphasis/Track New Submajor: Certificate Program Module: Intent to Plan
Module: Final Proposal Other (list):
Proposal Information:
(Procedures for form #1)
* Note: You must receive approval from System to plan a new Degree or Major (submajors not included)
For System requirements see ACIS-1guidelines at http://www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/acis/index.htm
Trang 2Catalog description of programs
The comprehensive emphasis in the Computer Science major is designed for students who desire a broader and deeper exposure to computer science topics than the general emphasis provides It also imparts an appreciation of the discipline's transformative impact on science and society The program requires extensive studies in mathematics and other areas in addition to the core computer science courses involving programming, data structures, computer systems, algorithms, database systems, software engineering, and the theory of computation Students in the program select two areas of specialization within the discipline to study in greater depth, such as applied computing, computer science fundamentals, networking and systems, and web programming The comprehensive emphasis provides strong preparation for both graduate study in computer science and for careers in the
computing industry
Student learning objectives
The assessment plan for the Computer Science Program states that our program’s graduates will attain the following objectives:
1 Understand the foundation of computer science and be able to use this knowledge to guide their problem-solving skills and prepare them for life-long learning and continued professional development
2 Be effective and efficient in the design and construction of software applications
3 Be able to work effectively on teams This includes oral and written communication skills as well as collaborative skills
4 Be informed on social issues that affect and are affected by the application of computing technology and be able to recognize and/or define problems related to computing/technology in everyday life
The following student outcomes will prepare our students to attain these objectives:
1 Each graduated student should have an understanding of the fundamental areas of the Computer Science discipline, including fundamentals of computing, programming languages, foundations
in mathematics, algorithms, computer architecture, and design and implementation of programs
2 Each graduated student should be able to formulate and solve problems related to computing and should understand the design and performance requirements of the software development process
3 Each graduated student should engage in life-long learning and understand the dynamics of the field, communicate effectively and demonstrate critical thinking both independently and within team settings, and be able to work under pressure and strict deadlines
Additionally, we plan to pursue accreditation from ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) for the proposed comprehensive emphasis Current ABET standards for computing
programs are available at http://www.abet.org/cac-criteria-2014-2015/ ABET expects accredited computer science programs to prepare students to attain the following outcomes by the time of
graduation:
A An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the program’s student outcomes and to the discipline (supported by our outcome 1)
B An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements
appropriate to its solution (supported by our outcome 2)
C An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs (supported by our outcomes 1 and 2)
D An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal (supported by our outcome 3)
Trang 3E An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities (supported by our outcomes 2 and 3)
F An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (supported by outcome 3)
G An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society (supported by our outcomes 2 and 3)
H Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development (supported by our outcome 3)
I An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice
(supported by our outcomes 1 and 3)
J An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices (supported by our outcomes 1 and 2)
K An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems
of varying complexity (supported by our outcome 2)
Courses to be included in the program
This comprehensive emphasis requires 45 credits in computer science and 25 credits in other areas Curricular differences relative to the current 36-credit major (to be known as the “general emphasis”) are:
• Additional Computer Science courses in programming languages (COMPSCI 320), database design (COMPSCI 366), operating systems (COMPSCI 424), and the theory of computation (COMPSCI 434) This coursework provides more thorough preparation for graduate study and for careers in high-demand areas of the computing industry such as “big data” collection and analysis It also fulfills ABET curriculum expectations more completely than the current 36-credit major
• Additional Mathematics courses in applied statistics (MATH 342) and in matrices and linear algebra (MATH 355) Matrices and linear algebra are standard components of many Computer Science curricula because of their wide use in computational solutions to many types of
problems A working knowledge of statistics and statistical software is needed by computing professionals working in many areas, including artificial intelligence, data mining, and
bioinformatics
• An expectation that students will take two natural science courses meant for science majors, including 4-5 credits beyond the College of Letters and Sciences requirements for the B.S degree This fulfills the ABET requirement for “courses for science or engineering majors that provide some exposure to laboratory work”, which is satisfied in most ABET-accredited computer science programs by a two-semester introductory sequence in one natural science discipline
• A required course in ethics in computing and/or business (currently INTRAUNV 246) This fulfills ABET student outcomes E (“An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities”) and G (“An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society”)
This proposal also incorporates most, but not all, proposed changes to the 36-credit major COMPSCI
220 replaces the obsolete MCS 220; the new course COMPSCI 215 may substitute for MATH 280; the System Programming and Conceptual Computer Science specializations are renamed to Networking and Systems and Computer Science Fundamentals, respectively; and all 300- and 400-level COMPSCI courses, as well as the new course MATH 450, will be added to either the core or an appropriate specialization However, we will not allow MATH 250 to substitute for the MATH 253 requirement as
we do in the 36-credit major
Trang 4The following table lists all courses that are included as either a requirement or a suggested option in the comprehensive emphasis, along with the UW-W Computer Science Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) and the ABET student outcomes fulfilled by each course
Introductory Sequence
Core COMPSCI Courses
COMPSCI 320* Concepts of Programming Languages X X A H I
COMPSCI 366* Introduction to Database Design and Development X X X A B C I J COMPSCI 412 Computer Organization and System Programming X A C
COMPSCI 498/498R Independent Study in Computer Science X X X B C F H I J K
Core MATH Courses
Other Required Courses
Areas of Specialization
COMPSCI 322 Computer Languages and Compilers X X A C D K COMPSCI 332 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence X X A B C I J K
COMPSCI 382 Server-side Scripting (current title: CGI
COMPSCI 451 Topics in Applied Computing X A B H I J K
COMPSCI 461 Mobile Computing Architecture X X A B G I J K
COMPSCI 481 Web Server and Unix Administration X X C E G H I
Suggested Lab Science
CHEM 104 Introductory Chemistry (second semester) Science
PHYSCS 181 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Science
*Proposed new course
Four-year plan of course offerings
All courses in the proposed emphasis will be offered at least once every two years, with core MATH and COMPSCI courses offered at least once per year New courses are indicated with an asterisk “*”
Trang 5Note: COMPSCI 485 Project (new in Fall 2014) will be offered only when suitable projects are
available COMPSCI 498/498R Independent Study in Computer Science is offered as needed via a project proposal process These courses are not required, but serve as alternatives to COMPSCI 476 Software Engineering
Course Number Fall Year 1 Spring Year 1 Fall Year 2 Spring Year 2
Introductory Sequence
Core COMPSCI Courses
Core MATH Courses
Other Required Courses
Areas of Specialization
Suggested Lab Science
List of required courses, in catalog/AAR format
COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR – COMPREHENSIVE EMPHASIS
70 UNITS
1 CORE COURSES
a COMPSCI 172 OR COMPSCI 174
Trang 6b COMPSCI 220 OR COMPSCI 222
c COMPSCI 223, COMPSCI 271, COMPSCI 320*, COMPSCI 366*, COMPSCI 412, COMPSCI 424, COMPSCI 433, COMPSCI 434
d COMPSCI 215* OR MATH 280
e MATH 253, MATH 342, MATH 355
f INTRAUNV 246
2 ONE LAB SCIENCE COURSE, DESIGNED FOR NATURAL SCIENCE MAJORS, IN ADDITION TO COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCES B.S DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS CHOOSE FROM BIOLOGY 142 OR CHEM 104 OR PHYSCS 141 OR PHYSCS 181 OR ANOTHER COURSE TO BE CHOSEN WITH ADVISOR
(PERSONALIZATION REQUIRED)
3 WRITING REQUIREMENT: ENGLISH 370 OR ENGLISH 372
4 COMPLETE TWO AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
a NETWORKING AND SYSTEMS: SELECT TWO OF
COMPSCI 460 OR COMPSCI 461 OR COMPSCI 462
b COMPUTER SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS: SELECT TWO OF
COMPSCI 322 OR COMPSCI 332 OR MATH 450*
c WEB TECHNIQUES: SELECT TWO OF
COMPSCI 381 OR COMPSCI 382 OR COMPSCI 481 OR COMPSCI 482
d APPLIED COMPUTING: SELECT TWO OF
COMPSCI 347 OR COMPSCI 451 OR MATH 471
5 CAPSTONE: SELECT ONE OF
a COMPSCI 476
b 3 UNITS COMBINED OF THE FOLLOWING: COMPSCI 485, COMPSCI 498, COMPSCI 498R
UNIQUE REQUIREMENT: SELECT ONE OF
1 BIOLOGY 141, BIOLOGY 142
2 CHEM 102, CHEM 104
3 PHYSCS 140, PHYSCS 141
4 PHYSCS 180, PHYSCS 181
5 TWO LAB SCIENCE COURSES DESIGNED FOR NATURAL SCIENCE MAJORS, TO BE CHOSEN WITH ADVISOR (PERSONALIZATION REQUIRED)
Trang 7Assessment plan for program
This program will be assessed according to the assessment plan for the existing Computer Science major As we plan to pursue accreditation from ABET for the proposed comprehensive emphasis in the Computer Science major, we are in the process of adapting this assessment plan to incorporate the ABET standards for computer science programs, which are available at http://www.abet.org/cac-criteria-2014-2015/
Resources needed to support program
To support the new comprehensive emphasis, three new computer science courses are proposed
together with this proposal: Concepts of Programming Languages (COMPSCI 320), Introduction to Database Design and Development (COMPSCI 366), and Discrete Structures (COMPSCI 215) These courses need to be offered once a year, and COMPSCI 215 may need to be offered every semester However, combined demand for COMPSCI 215 and MATH 280 should be roughly equal to current demand for MATH 280 We expect that COMPSCI 215 will replace one of the two sections of MATH
280 offered each semester
In addition, two current courses, Operating Systems (COMPSCI 424) and Theory of Computation (COMPSCI 434) become core courses in the major This means that they need to be offered once per year compared with once every two years before
We expect that the increase in teaching load can be covered without new faculty lines by (1)
reallocating the course load of our current faculty to teach fewer mathematics courses and (2) hiring one or two additional academic staff, possibly part-time, to teach some sections of our service courses COMPSCI 162 and COMPSCI 171 as well as the lower-level math courses currently taught by
computer science faculty We are also considering a new computer-aided instruction model for
COMPSCI 162 that may allow us to combine some sections of that course, allowing more teaching load to be reallocated to the new courses
This comprehensive emphasis also generates staffing needs in mathematics A new math course, Graph Theory (MATH 450), is proposed as an emphasis course and is expected to be offered once every two years The addition of Linear Algebra (MATH 355) and Applied Statistics (MATH 342) as core courses may increase enrollment sufficiently to require more frequent offerings and/or more sections However,
we are already hiring a new tenure-track faculty member in mathematics for Fall 2014 who can help serve this increased teaching load
Other departments may also see an increase in enrollment as a result of this comprehensive emphasis Most notably, the addition of Business Ethics (INTRAUNV 246) as a core course will require that course to be offered more frequently, perhaps once per year or once per semester Introductory courses for natural sciences majors (BIOLOGY 141/142, CHEM 102/104, PHYSCS 140/141, and PHYSCS 180/181) will all see slight increases in enrollment because of the lab science requirement; however, these departments have indicated in consultations that they can handle the increased enrollments without additional resources
Student need/demand for program
Based on the strong enrollment in the current 36-credit computer science major and the partnerships our program has developed with industry collaborators in our short history, there is clearly a great deal
of student and industry demand for the education that the Computer Science Program provides
Although our program’s first graduates have been well-received by employers and graduate programs, our students and their potential employers have expressed a desire for us to offer a broader and deeper preparation for careers in the computing industry, similar to comprehensive majors offered at other universities
One of the medium- to long-term objectives listed in the Computer Science Program’s assessment plan
is to achieve accreditation by ABET This would serve as an external validation of our program’s quality, which would help our students draw interest from major employers and graduate programs based outside of our region who may be less familiar with UW-Whitewater’s reputation However, the
Trang 8existing 36-credit major, even with the proposed revisions for Spring 2015, is limited by its size in how effectively it can address several components of the ABET curricular requirements and student learning objectives
The Computer Science Program is also beginning the planning process for a Master of Science degree program in computer science Some students have already mentioned to our faculty that they would enroll in a master’s program at UW-Whitewater if we offered one Although the program’s structure is still being decided, one option that we are considering is a “4+1” combined B.S./M.S program In such
a program, students who meet certain qualifications are admitted to the graduate program and begin taking graduate-level courses during their senior undergraduate year, then complete the M.S degree within one year after earning the B.S degree To succeed in this program or other computer science graduate programs, students need additional preparation in mathematics and computer science beyond the existing 36-credit major
The addition of COMPSCI 320 (Concepts of Programming Languages), COMPSCI 366 (Introduction to Database Design and Development), and COMPSCI 424 (Operating Systems) will provide experience
in these areas for students entering the industry, helping them succeed in a variety of careers The additional mathematics courses MATH 342 (Applied Statistics), MATH 355 (Matrices and Linear Algebra), and optionally MATH 450 (Graph Theory), along with COMPSCI 434 (Theory of
Computation), will provide a stronger foundation for those who pursue graduate study in computer science, as knowledge of these subjects is vital to success in graduate-level computer science courses and research Finally, the addition of an ethics course fills a need in our existing curriculum for
coverage of ethical issues in computer science, satisfying two ABET student outcomes in the process
Relation of the program to other programs on campus, in the UW System, and in the region
The comprehensive emphasis will complement the existing Computer Science major at
UW-Whitewater by providing an opportunity for well-prepared and motivated students to complete a deeper study of computing theory and practice than the existing 36-credit major allows We expect that first-
or second-year students with a desire to focus primarily on preparing for a career at major firms in the computing industry or graduate education in computer science would choose the comprehensive emphasis Students who wish to acquire a foundation in computer science while pursuing a minor in another discipline, as well as students who declare a Computer Science major later in their education and want to apply credits in their former major toward a minor to minimize time-to-degree, would likely choose the existing 36-credit major In particular, students who desire preparation in a
combination of business, computer hardware, and computer software similar to the previous
Management Computer Systems program would likely declare the general-emphasis Computer Science major and Information Technology minor (or vice versa), as they do currently Likewise, students seeking a deeper understanding of mathematics in exchange for decreased breadth and depth in
computer science might choose the general-emphasis Computer Science major and a Mathematics minor (or vice versa) rather than the comprehensive-emphasis Computer Science major
Other than the existing 36-credit Computer Science major; the Information Technology major, which focuses on applying and managing computer hardware and software to fulfill business needs rather than the principles and practice of computation and software development; and the Media Arts and Game Development major’s technical track, which focuses specifically on developing video games and other electronic media, no similar programs exist at UW-Whitewater
We expect our Computer Science comprehensive emphasis to compete primarily with comprehensive Computer Science majors at other universities that have similar requirements, especially those that are accredited by ABET Although all UW System comprehensive and doctoral institutions except UW-Stevens Point offer Computer Science majors, the only institutions in Wisconsin (public or private) that currently have ABET-accredited Computer Science majors are Oshkosh and Milwaukee UW-Platteville and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) have ABET-accredited majors in Software Engineering, which are similar to majors in Computer Science but focus on the design and development
Trang 9of large and complex software systems All four of these institutions’ curricula are somewhat different from our proposed curriculum in that they require traditional pre-engineering courses (i.e., two or three semesters of calculus, a digital logic course, and sometimes a two-course physics sequence) rather than the more computing-focused selection of mathematics courses and more flexible natural science course options that we will provide The reputation of UW-Madison’s Computer Science undergraduate and graduate programs is sufficiently strong that ABET accreditation is not needed to help recruit or retain students Most other nearby institutions do not offer Computer Science majors that are as
comprehensive as what we propose to offer
The existing UW-Whitewater Computer Science program also enrolls a number of students from northern Illinois The nearest ABET-accredited Computer Science programs in Illinois are located in Chicago, at Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Chicago; their curricula are similar to those at UW-Oshkosh, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Platteville, and MSOE We expect that
prospective students from throughout our traditional recruiting region of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois will be drawn by the opportunity to pursue an in-depth study of computer science at UW-Whitewater, especially once ABET accreditation is achieved