Computer Science, Bachelor of Science
Philosophy
The Wilmington University undergraduate degree program in Computer Science prepares students for some of the most innovative and essential fields in today's growing information economy. With technical knowledge in the principal areas of study including computer programming, computer network, information security, web applications, and artificial intelligence, students will learn to solve real-life problems involving the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services. Students who successfully complete this degree are prepared for work in the computer technology industry, developing commercial and industrial applications or computer models.
Program Competencies
Students completing the Computer Science Program (B.S.) will be able to:
- Apply Computer Science best practices and current methodologies to create, deliver, and support information technology projects and its importance in the world of technology.
- Demonstrate personal skills in innovation and problem solving. Employ critical thinking strategies such as quantitative, qualitative, and scientific reasoning to analyze consequences and outcomes and then determine logical solutions.
- Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.
- Apply the ethical and legal principles required of computer science professionals.
- Analyze requirements for the process of creating programming from script to screen.
- Analyze requirements for computer hardware, network security, and software applications using best practices and current methodologies.
- Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics and usage. Correctly and ethically exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres.
Experiential Learning
The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360◦ approach to experiential learning. Whether you come to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for Prior Learning. (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree.
Cooperative Education Option
The Cooperative Education option is an alternative to the CSC490-Internship course. In order to be eligible, students must first have at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must contact the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and their Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment. For additional information on cooperative education, please visit: https://www.wilmu.edu/coel/work-integrated-learning.aspx
Accelerated Graduate Certificate Option
Students in the Computer Science B.S. degree program may choose an accelerated option with:
Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate; or
Technology Project Management Graduate Certificate
Students selecting this option can complete both their undergraduate degree and the graduate certificate by completing 120 credits (105 undergraduate credits and 15 graduate credits). The five graduate courses (15 credits) needed for the graduate certificate would count as five courses (15 credits) towards undergraduate electives in your degree.
Students who complete the Management Information Systems or Technology Project Management Graduate Certificates also receive the benefit of completing five graduate level courses that count towards a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST). Students selecting this option are not required to pursue the MS-IST degree.
Admission requirements include:
- A minimum GPA of 3.25
- Completion of at least 60 credits towards your degree program
- A meeting with an academic advisor to submit an Accelerated Option Intent (AOI) form upon completion of at least 30 credits; and
- Recommendation of the Program Chair
Note: Students will not be eligible to register for graduate level courses until they have successfully completed at least 60 credits towards their bachelor’s degree and have an approved AOI form. Students must receive their B.S. degree in order to receive the graduate certificate.
Minimum Grade Policy: Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.
Computer Science, B.S. Curriculum
General Education Requirements (39 credits)
| COM 250 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| CTA 326 | Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving | 3 |
| ECO 105 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| ENG 131 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| POL 300 | American Politics | 3 |
| OR | |
| HIS 381 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Science Elective | |
Humanities Electives
Choose two courses (6 credits) from:
ART, COM 245, CUL, DRA, DSN 110, ETN, HIS 230, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, SPA, TEC 215, VFP 313
Computer Science Core (48 credits)
Students will complete an additional 18 credits from either the Artificial Intelligence Concentration, the Data Analytics Concentration, or Computer Science (no concentration).
Artificial Intelligence Concentration (18 credits)
| CSC 370 | User-Centered Design | 3 |
| CSC 414 | Ethics for AI and Data Analytics | 3 |
| CSC 419 | Python for Data Science | 3 |
| CSC 420 | Intro to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CSC 430 | Machine Learning Principles | 3 |
| CSC 470 | Computer Vision and Image Analysis | 3 |
Data Analytics Concentration (18 credits)
| BBA 430 | Big Data and Visualization | 3 |
| CSC 402 | Data Analysis Storytelling | 3 |
| CSC 407 | Data Analysis for Organizations | 3 |
| CSC 414 | Ethics for AI and Data Analytics | 3 |
| CSC 419 | Python for Data Science | 3 |
| ISM 420 | Data Modeling and Warehousing | 3 |
Computer Science - No Concentration (18 credits)
| BBA 430 | Big Data and Visualization | 3 |
| CSC 370 | User-Centered Design | 3 |
| ISM 420 | Data Modeling and Warehousing | 3 |
| PHI 314 | Ethics for Computer Professionals | 3 |
| SEC 205 | Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 3 |
| SEC 290 | Introduction to Programming with Python | 3 |
Free Electives (15 credits)
Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
Completion Degree Requirements
What is a Completion Degree?
A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.
Note that a minimum of 120 combined credits are needed to satisfy the Completion Degree requirements, including both transfer credits and credits earned at Wilmington University.
Computer Science-Artificial Intelligence Completion Degree
All students interested in this degree must have completed the following prerequisites or their equivalents:
CSC 100 Web Design & Development
CTA 326 Integ Excel into Business Problem
ENG 122 English Composition II
SEC 100 Intro to Comp Hardware & Operation
SEC 205 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
SEC 235 Networks and Telecommunications
Computer Science-Data Analytics Completion Degree
All students interested in this degree must have completed the following prerequisites or their equivalents:
CSC 100 Web Design & Development
CTA 326 Integ Excel into Business Problem
ENG 122 English Composition II
SEC 100 Intro to Comp Hardware & Operation
SEC 205 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
SEC 235 Networks and Telecommunications
Computer Science-No Concentration Completion Degree
All students interested in this degree must have completed the following prerequisites or their equivalents:
CSC 100 Web Design & Development
CTA 326 Integ Excel into Business Problem
ENG 122 English Composition II
SEC 100 Intro to Comp Hardware & Operation
SEC 205 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
SEC 235 Networks and Telecommunications
Accelerated Options with Graduate Certificates
Accelerated Option with Management Information Systems Graduate Certificate
The certificate requires 15 graduate credits. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.
Accelerated Option with Technology Project Mgt Graduate Certificate
The certificate requires 15 graduate credits. Students will complete IST 7060 and four of the six IPM courses listed. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses in order to earn the certificate.
Choose four (4) of the following:
| IPM 6000 | IT/IS Project Scope Development and Management | 3 |
| IPM 6010 | IT/IS Project Scheduling | 3 |
| IPM 6030 | IT/IS Project Risk Management | 3 |
| IPM 6040 | IT/IS Project Quality Management | 3 |
| IPM 6050 | Agile Project Management | 3 |
| IPM 6090 | Special Topics in IT/IS Project Management | 3 |