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Admission
See the WKU catalog for the admission policies; application deadlines; requirements
for entering freshman, out-of-state, transfer and international students; and other
admission information. For a catalog write to:
Office of Admissions,
Western Kentucky University,
117 Potter Hall,
Bowling Green, KY 42101.
or
Contact Office of Admissions at 270-745-2551
or
http://www.wku.edu/Info/Admissions/
for any details.
Objectives and Outcomes of the CS Undergraduate Program
- Objective: To provide a learning environment which endows graduates
from WKU's Computer Science program with a background sufficient to obtain
employment in the field or to get admitted into graduate school within six months
of their graduation.
Outcome: Students demonstrate that they have a good understanding
of data structures and algorithms, architecture and operating systems, software
engineering, and principles of programming languages.
Outcome:
Students demonstrate good program development skills.
- Objective: Graduates from WKU's Computer Science program
move to a "better" position within five years of?their graduation, and their employer
is satisfied with the graduates performance five years after graduation.
Outcome: Students demonstrate that they have a good understanding
of data structures and algorithms, architecture and operating systems, software
engineering, and principles of programming languages.
Outcome: Students demonstrate good program development skills.
Outcome:
Students demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
- Objective: Graduates from WKU's Computer Science program
continue to improve their knowledge in the discipline (e.g. they are life-long learners).
Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply CS-related
knowledge to complete projects.
Outcome:
Students are able to use different programming languages/paradigms and different
computing platforms.
- Objective: Graduates from WKU's Computer Science program
are valuable employees in the strongly team-work oriented computing industry.
Outcome:
Students demonstrate the ability to participate successfully on at least two teams
which work in areas related to computer science, mathematics, or sciences.
- Objective: Graduates from WKU's accredited Computer Science
program have a firm foundation in scientific and mathematical principles.
Outcome:
Students successfully completed a broad set of courses designed for science/mathematics/
and engineering majors.
- Objective: Graduates from WKU's Computer Science program
are satisfied with the preparation they received at WKU 5 years after graduation.
Outcome: Students are satisfied with the preparation they received
at the time of their graduation.
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All students following a four-year undergraduate degree program must fulfill certain
general education requirements. Students are cautioned to note any special requirements
governing the particular program they choose to follow. Students should refer to
course descriptions or consult the department head for possible prerequisites for
general education courses.
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.: Undergraduate Program |
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Courses in the computer science curriculum stress both theory and application, as
well as the role of other fields such as mathematics, statistics, electrical engineering,
logic, philosophy, management, psychology and others.
The department offers the following programs for helping an individual achieve his/her
career goals:
MAJOR in Computer Science with:
Systems/Scientific Applications
Option (Accredited by
ABET/CAC)
Suggested Program of Study
Any Minor Option
Suggested Program of Study
Specialty Option
Suggested Program of Study
MINOR in Computer Science
Click here for advising help pages
SECONDARY EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT
Contact the Computer Science Department for more information.
The Systems/Scientific Option prepares a computer professional for work in a systems/scientific
environment whereas the Any Minor / Specialty option prepares one for the business
world. The computer science minor provides a computing support strength to almost
any career objective. A secondary education major can earn an endorsement to teach
computer science in Kentucky's schools.
Two student organizations, ACM and UPE, complement the formal course work. The student
chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) supports guest speakers,
programming contests, and social events throughout the year. The WKU student chapter
of Computer Science honor society Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) is the only such chapter
in the state of Kentucky.
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Courses
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.: Courses offer by Computer Science Department |
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Advising
- Degree form not filed:
- Degree form completed
ADVISING
Goal
The goal of these pages is to outline the information needed by new faculty members
and by students to learn about advising, degree options, and other important decisions
for undergraduate Computer Science majors.
News
WKU will move to a degree audit system in the near future. However, students still
need to plan their course of study ahead of time and in consultation with an advisor.
They also meet with a faculty member each semester before registering for courses
for the next semester.
Advising Info for CS Faculty and Students
Faculty in the department is responsible for
- 1) Advising in connection with OAR (Orientation-Advising-Registration)
The goals of OAR are to determine a reasonable set of classes for the student's
first semester at WKU. The classes should meet the student's abilities (e.g. prior
programming experience), desires (e.g. which major), and educational experience
(e.g. completed AP courses).
- 2) Advising students on a semester-by-semester
basis. The goals regular advising are for students
- to develop a long-range plan about how they want to reach their educational goals
at WKU; this is done by developing a degree plan
- to revise - if necessary - their long-range plan based on recent experience; this
is done by analyzing progress in the current and prior semesters and potentially
updating the degree plan
- to determine the next steps in reaching the long-term goals; this is done by selecting
courses and potentially other activities for the next semester
Students are responsible for
- 1) Reading through departmental material (website, catalog) to inform themselves
about the options, possibilities, and changes they should be aware of.
- 2) Coming to advising meetings prepared with the list of courses they want to take
and/or questions which require the advisor's help.
Types of OAR meetings
There are different types of OAR, too. For beginning freshmen students who will
receive scholarships, for general beginning freshmen, for transfer students, and
for 'walk-ins'. All OAR students sent to Computer Science meetings are CS majors.
Advising Info for CS Faculty and Students
Overview for OAR Advising
Before the meeting:
- The advising faculty member reads through the OAR packets (for the fall semesters,
most students are pre-registered into courses, in which case they only need to update
their schedule)
- The advising faculty member makes a few copies of the Computer Science placement
exam (to see whether a student is ready to take CS 240)
- The student takes the math placement test and brings the results to the meeting.
- The student brushes up on his/her previous programming skills if s/he wants to take
the short Computer Science placement test.
During the meeting:
- Students select the courses and the specific sections they want to enroll in
- The faculty member advises students that in the first semester each student should
take
- at least one CS course;
- a math course;
- other general education courses such as ENG 100, Hist 119, COM 161 or COM 145, or
any other required general education course
- Students write down the following information for each section:
- CRN number (5 digit number)
- Course Subject ? Number ? Title (e.g. CS 450 Computer Networking)
- Instructor's name and meeting time and place
At the end of the meeting:
- The faculty member signs the student schedule or changes their on-line advising
flag to 'advised'
- students must go to MMTH to have the schedule entered/changed ( OR if there are
only a few students the faculty member might allow them to make the changes on the
computer in the room; however, this will not work for restricted courses)
Hint for working students
If a student is planning to work it's in most cases better for the student not to
sign up for 15-17 hrs, but to take only 12-14 hrs.
Advising Info for CS Faculty and Students
Overview for Semester-by-Semester Advising
Before the meeting:
- The faculty member facilitates advising appointments by students, e.g. by posting
a sign-up sheet at his/her door or website.
- The student makes an advising appointment with his/her advisor in the Computer Science
department. The student can use WKU Topnet to find out the name of the advisor or
ask the Office Associate in the main Computer Science office in TCCW 137B.
- The student prepares/updates a (partially filled out) degree plan and brings it
to the meeting. Degree plans for the different options for the Bachelor in Computer
Science can be found at degree plans. The cs website has relevant and important
information about the options, courses, opportunities.
- The student prepares/updates a plan which specifies which courses to take which
semester. The suggested 'courses of study' might be a good starting point. When
making changes, a student must bear in mind the prerequisite structure of the Computer
Science courses.
- The student reviews offered classes and courses s/he needs to take and makes a (partial)
list of classes (including meeting times) s/he plans on taking during the next semester.
During the meeting:
- The student informs the faculty member about
- progress in his/her classes during the current semester and potential problems
- questions regarding filling out the degree program
- classes for which the student wants to register for the next semester
The faculty member
- reviews the student's progress towards a degree (e.g. View Student's General Ed
Progress on topnet nicely sorts the courses the student has taken/is taking into
Gen Ed and other categories) and provides the student with appropriate feedback
- answers questions regarding filling out/revising the degree program
- gives specific advise to the student regarding the advantages/disadvantages of the
different option
- comments on the list of classes the students presents, makes recommendations, and
together with the student works out a new list of classes - if needed
- encourages the student to become engaged in his/her field through internships, attending
presentations, undergraduate research, programming contest, or other avenues which
fit the individual student
At the end/after of the meeting:
- The faculty member changes the student advising flag to ' advised' on topnet.
- The student registers for the recommended courses.
Suggestions to consider when picking courses
Students are encouraged to take at least one Computer Science course each semester.
Furthermore, until they satisfied the math requirement, they should take a Math
course each semester.
Carefully read the General Education requirements: Most of the categories require
students to cover 3 different areas and so students cannot take more than one course
from the same program.
Students are discouraged from taking 4 Computer Science courses in any one semester
For each option, suggested courses of study which allow completing of the degree
in four years are given here.
Note that not all courses are offered each semester
Options to get a Bachelor in Computer Science
There are three different options for students who want to get a bachelor in Computer
Science. The options differ mostly with respect to the CS electives and with respect
to the minor/other area to the studied.
- Accredited/Scientific Option: This option requires a minor in Mathematics and four
science courses for science/engineering majors. Two of those four courses must be
a sequence and both must include a lab. Many general education courses for science
do not count. For more information about this option see the CS webpage
- Any minor Option: This option allows the student to combine the Computer Science
major with any minor WKU offers. If a student does not know where to get started
looking for a minor, good minors are any of the sciences, Mathematics, Business
Administration, or Entrepreneurship. For more information about this option see
the CS webpage
- Specialty Option: This option is for students who are interested in an area which
does not have a minor or which is interdisciplinary in nature. A set of courses
with the student's interest as their focus is selected by the student with the advisor's
approval. The student must take two additional Computer Science Courses: CS 450
Computer Networking and CS 443: Database management systems. For more information
about this option see the CS webpage.
Science Courses for the accredited option:
The most chosen sequences with labs are:
- Biology: Biology changed their course
structure, so this information might change. Biological Concepts (120/121 AND 122/123
) can be combined with several courses: Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology
(220/221 this also requires Chem120/121) or Plant Biology and Diversity (222/223).
- Chemistry: Chem I + II with labs (120/121
+ 222/223)
- Physics: College Physics I + II with labs
(201/207 and 202/208) OR University Physics I + II with labs (250/251 and 260/261)
OR Physics and Biophysics I + II with labs (231/232 +332/233)
- Other science courses for science majors
(in addition to anything which has the above classes as prerequisite): Astronomy
214
Course of Study: When to take which course?
As you might already know there are three different options to get a Bachelor Degree
in Computer Science. We put together different ways to satisfy the requirements
of each of the options, based on whether you have programming experience or not
and whether you want to jump right in with a lot of Computer Science or want an
emphasis in your 3rd and 4th year.
All the options are completing a degree in 4 years, only taking courses in the fall
and the spring semesters. Students are encouraged to adapt the suggested sequences
to their backgrounds, needs, and desires. ·
- Systems/Scientific Computer Science Degree - Accredited
- With experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- Without programming experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- With experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and 4th year
- Without programming experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and
4th year
- Any Minor Computer Science Degree
- With experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- Without programming experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- With experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and 4th year
- Without programming experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and
4th year ·
- Specialty Computer Science Degree
- With experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- Without programming experience and jumps right into Computer Science
- With experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and 4th year
- Without programming experience and puts emphasis of Computer Science in 3rd and
4th year
Make it fit!
The suggested courses of studies are only suggested. A student should take them
as a starting point to develop his/her own course of study: take a summer course,
get an internship and get credit (highly recommended!) for the summer, take a winter
term course, change the order of some of the courses, repeat a course if necessary,
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Electronic Degree Plans for students who took CS 242/CS340 (last offered Fall 2005)
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