2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Computer Science
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty
Associate Professor: Manish Wadhwa, Chairperson
Professor: Bo Jin Hatfield
Associate Professors: Komalpreet Kaur, Sotirios Kentros, Lakshmidevi Sreeramareddy, Beifang Yi
Assistant Professors: Allan Brockenbrough, Fatema Nafa,
Faculty Emeriti
Professors: Robert Campbell, Edward J. Wilkens
Associate Professors: Joseph Kaspryzk, Gregg Whyte
Assistant Professor: Sheila D. Shea
Programs Offered
Option Sequences (all sequences consist of two courses)
Computation Theory
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Intelligent System
Networking and Cloud Computing
Software Engineering
Minor
Computer Science Minor
Information Technology Minor
Programs in the Computer Science Department
The Computer Science Department offers a well-integrated curriculum for its Computer Science major, Information Technology major, Computer Science minor, and Information Technology minor. With well-credentialed faculty, the department strives for excellence in providing students with a strong foundation in computer science and information technology concepts, processes, and tools. The department engages students in developing the analytical, design, technical, and communication skills necessary to be successful in computing fields or in graduate school.
Computer Science Major
Computer science is simultaneously one of the most pragmatic disciplines and one of the most conceptual.
It must be pragmatic because of the rapid pace of technological change. Not only computer professionals but also virtually everyone who is a more than casual user of computers is continually confronted with new tools to be learned and skills to be mastered. Members of the technical cadre that produce all this technology for us are not exempt: they also must learn ever more rapidly evolving methodologies if they are to continue to contribute to the progress of the field. These societal and professional growth needs require that a computer science curriculum undergo continual review and evolution. Its graduates must be suitably equipped to “hit the ground running” - to begin performing productive work without extensive additional training. Therefore, appropriate courses should include treatment of up-to-date and in-demand operating systems, languages, paradigms, tools and applications - the pragmatic features of the discipline.
On the other hand, the education provided must be conceptual because any specific instance of pragmatic content may and probably will have a relatively short useful life. Keeping up with the latest new tools and methods is done most effectively when the conceptual component of the undergraduate education has provided a strong base. New developments may then be understood not as isolated phenomena but as additions or changes within an already well-established broader framework. The efforts and costs involved in acquiring new skills are lessened if the basic education has provided a sufficiently conceptual understanding of the field.
In order to achieve pragmatism and conceptuality simultaneously, computer science courses at Salem State University have been designed around fundamental ideas and application areas in the field (as indicated in the course titles). Concepts are presented through the medium of real, current examples, reviewed and updated frequently, in order to include the strong pragmatic flavor desired. The required Computer Science capstone course sequence integrates pragmatism and conceptuality via a custom-designed project proposal and implementation experience designed to address the interests and objectives of each individual student.
 The Computer Science major is accredited by ABET, Inc. (http://www.abet.org ), which is the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for over 75 years. Through lectures and extensive laboratory experiences, Computer Science majors learn about current computing environments and programming languages, a systematic methodology of software design and implementation, and the theoretical foundations of computer science. A wide variety of current and state-of-the-art platforms, applications and tools are utilized in the major. By choosing an Option Sequence and appropriate upper-division electives, students can specialize in a particular area such as computation theory, artificial intelligence, computer networking, embedded systems, object-oriented programming, parallel computing, cloud computing, or software engineering.
In addition to preparing students for careers in a variety of computing fields, the Computer Science major curriculum also provides a foundation for further study at the graduate level. The Computer Science major consists of fourteen computer science (CSC-prefixed) courses, together with five support courses in Mathematics, one in Physics, and three Science courses chosen from specified lists. (See the Computer Science major flow sheet.)
Although the Computer Science major does not require the completion of a minor, students in the program are urged to consider using some of their electives to assemble a minor in an area of personal interest that integrates and/or applies computing methods and/or technologies. A minor in Mathematics is particularly convenient since many of the Mathematics support courses required within the Computer Science major can be used as part of this minor. Other possibilities include Business Administration or one of the sciences. (Before embarking upon a minor, the student should confer with the chairperson of the appropriate department to determine the proper selection of courses.)
GPA Requirements for Graduating in the Computer Science Major
In order to graduate from the Computer Science degree program, at the time of graduation a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.7 (B-) or higher in Computer Science major courses (courses with a CSC prefix) and 2.3 (C+) or higher in the support courses. Exceptional circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.
Residency Requirement for the Computer Science Major
A student majoring in Computer Science must complete:
(A) at least 18 CSC-prefixed credits at Salem State University used to satisfy Computer Science major requirements, at least 10 of which must be 300 or 400 level courses, and
(B) the Computer Science capstone sequence (CSC520 and CSC521 ) at Salem State University.
Computer Science Minor
Computers and particularly application software play an important role in almost any major and any career choice. The primary goal of the Computer Science Minor is to provide an introduction to computing topics that can be used by students in all majors to supplement their primary studies. This minor allows students to develop understanding and skills in the following areas:
• fundamental concepts of computer science including systems, algorithms, programming
languages, application software and networking;
• programming skills including sound design methodologies, a programming language and its
major constructs, and testing and performance evaluation;
• additional computing topics chosen to complement individual interests and/or specific disciplinary
software that may give students a major edge in future employment - choices include web-based
software development, embedded systems, databases, networking, software engineering, and
data visualization.
The Computer Science Minor is appropriate for students who anticipate that computer knowledge and skills will play a prominent role in their academic and professional careers. For additional information go to the Computer Science Minor page.
Information Technology Major
Information technologists focus on the use of existing solutions (products) as building blocks to be used to construct information-processing environments and on the management (integration, maintenance, and administration) of these environments.
The emphasis of an information technology (IT) degree is on the understanding of the concepts and the know-how of technology. Information technology specialists need a fundamental understanding of the capabilities of computer-based technologies to effectively select and assemble components into information processing environments that satisfy the information processing needs of businesses and organizations and then manage and administer these environments.
A bachelor’s degree in IT stands on four major pillars of IT: computer networks, information security, web systems, and information management systems (databases). After foundation courses, students then explore the advanced courses in these fields.
One major requirement is that students select a minor (other than IT minor), from a list of minors in various fields of study. This allows students to explore other fields of their interest that would complement their IT skills. This then can be used towards their advantage when searching for jobs.
GPA Requirements for Graduating in the Information Technology Major
In order to graduate from the Information Technology degree program, at the time of graduation a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.7 (B-) or higher in Information Technology major courses (courses with a ITE prefix) and 2.3 (C+) or higher in the support courses. Exceptional circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.
Residency Requirements for the Information Technology Major
All Information Technology major students:
(A) must complete at least 18 ITE credits in residence at Salem State university used to satisfy IT major requirements, at least 10 of which must be 300 or 400 level couress, and
(B) must complete the Information Technology capstone course sequence (ITE501 and ITE505).
Information Technology Minor
For students majoring in other academic disciplines, the flexible design of the information technology (IT) minor can complement any student’s major field of study. The array of courses in specialized IT knowledge areas help students develop and expand their IT concepts, gain a broader perspective on the impact of IT on society, and increase or enhance IT proficiency skills. Students with an IT minor are often the technical “go-to person” in their respective careers. For additional information go to the Information Technology Minor page.
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