Coordinator - Aaron Gordon
The Computer Science Information System (CSIS) degree program is one of the five degree programs in the School of Business Administration (SOBA). The CSIS degree program, while administered by SOBA, is not accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).
The interdisciplinary major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science Information Systems (CSIS) combines the fields of computer science (the science of creating computer software) and information systems (the application of computer software). The program emphasizes breadth of knowledge and the development of written and oral communication skills, which are trademarks of a liberal arts education, combined with professional competence in computer science and/or information systems. The student specializes in one of these fields by choosing the Computer Science Option or the Information Systems Option described below.
The primary objectives of the curriculum are to ensure that every graduate is thoroughly familiar with the fundamental principles of modern computer science and information systems; understands how these principles relate to software, hardware, and system design; and is familiar with at least one significant area of applications of computers. Other major objectives include providing graduates with the ability to understand a variety of problem-solving algorithms; familiarity with several programming languages for implementing these algorithms; understanding of hardware and/or software systems; the ability to make informed choices of software and hardware for a variety of problems; and an understanding of the role that human factors play in implementing computer-based systems.
Computer Science generally refers to the application of scientific and engineering principles to the development of software products. Students choosing the Computer Science Option will receive training far beyond the ability to write programs that work. Software engineers must construct program systems that work efficiently and are comprehensible so that modification can be performed effectively when required. Software maintenance is as much a part of software engineering as the creation of new software.