Computer Science

Mission

The mission of the Department of Computer Science is to offer a Bachelor of Science degree program in computer science, Bachelor of Science degree program in information technology, a certificate program in computer programming, a minor in computer science, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and Information Technology. The department offers service courses for other academic departments, engages in research and scholarly activities, and engages in mutually beneficial relationships with the community.

Goals

To provide an effective programs of study.
To recruit and retain students who will be able to complete the curriculum.
To promote and facilitate faculty development of effective teaching skills, research productivity, the acquisition of external funding through grants and contracts, and community involvement.
To guide student achievement of WSSU educational goals.

Accreditation

The undergraduate program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

General Information

The Department of Computer Science provides the opportunity for students to pursue the study of the properties of computer systems. A wide range of career opportunities exists for computer scientists and information technologists, including: computer programming, computer system analyst, database administration, network administration, applications development/support, computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, software engineering, computer graphics, visualization, imaging, Internet applications development, computational science, and software/hardware support.

Departmental facilities, housed in the Elva J. Jones Computer Science building, include: classrooms, research library, instructional laboratories, specialized laboratories and research laboratories. Laboratory facilities include: computer labs for programming, applications development, research and Computer Based Training (CBT), computer architecture, data communications/networking, graphics/visualization/modeling, high performance computing, software engineering, database administration and other specialized labs. Other specialized labs include: architectural, data communications/networking, graphics/visualization/modeling, high performance computing, software engineering, database administration and other specialized labs. The department has access to High Performance Computing/Supercomputing via cooperative arrangements with UNC Institutions. Additionally, the department has access to the NC BioGrid Test bed.

Experiential Learning

In addition to formal classroom instruction, students are encouraged to participate in cooperative education or internship assignments as early as the end of their sophomore year. Experiential learning offers students the opportunity to prepare for a career in computer science by allowing students to earn academic credit for work experience gained. Cooperative education requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 2-3 alternating work tours. A maximum of 6 hours of cooperative education credit may be used to satisfy degree requirements as general electives and a maximum of 3 semester hours of cooperative education credit may be used to satisfy degree requirements as option electives.

Internships offer students the opportunity to develop work or research experience while enrolled in other courses or to work full-time during the summer session. A maximum of 6 hours of internship credit may be used to satisfy degree requirements as an general elective and a maximum of 3 semester hours of internship credit may be used to satisfy degree requirements as option electives.

Student Activities

Students are encouraged to participate in the WSSU Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and other professional organizations sponsored by the department.

Credits by Examination

A student may, through the department chairperson, petition in writing for an examination to receive “credit by examination” for a computer science course, with the exception of project courses and research courses. Credit by examination usually includes a written examination and a proficiency examination.

Admission to the Major

To be admitted to the computer science or information technology major, the student must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete the general education core requirements.
Earn at least a grade of C in all computer science, mathematics, science, and English general education courses.
Pass a programming proficiency examination.
Complete a successful personal interview.

In addition to satisfying these admissions requirements, students transferring from an accredited college or university must also complete their final 30 semester hours of computer science or information technology program requirements at Winston-Salem State University.

A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and seeks a second degree in computer science or information technology must complete the following requirements:

Satisfy admission to the major requirements listed for first degree students.
Complete or receive transfer credit for only those general education courses required for the computer science or information technology major.
Complete or receive transfer credit for computer science courses, as well as the mathematics and science support courses required in the major.
Complete the final 30 semester hours of program requirements at Winston-Salem State University.

The department does not offer in-depth study courses for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science degree. Students holding the associate degree in applied science and desiring further study in computer science or information technology should declare computer science or information technology as a major.