Computer Science, BS

Mission Statement for the Computer Science Program

The mission of the Computer Science program at Stockton University is to provide outstanding undergraduate degrees and courses that are consistent with the missions of the University and the School of Business, and that meet the full range of needs of the students. The program provides students with an adaptable curriculum and pedagogy that complements the evolution of computer technology and the computing profession so that the graduates of the B.S. in Computer Science will have:

• A strong theoretical and application-oriented computer science background.

• Practical skills and experience that enable them to become valuable contributors to their profession.

• The ability and motivation to grow professionally and/or to continue their education after graduation.

• An understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities.

• The ability to be productive in professional software development settings.

• Computer science skills are applicable to related industries, such as science, engineering, aerospace, medicine, or entertainment.

• The confidence to explore emerging domains, such as data science, internet of things, and augmented reality. 

Program Introduction

The software and systems designed and created by Computer Science (CS) professionals are an integral part of our society and enable the technology we use every day. They design, develop, implement, and manage the applications that power smart phones, allow us to connect on Facebook and Twitter, entertain us with games, make online shopping safe and secure, keep the Internet running smoothly, make cars and planes more efficient and safer, etc. 

CS professionals design and develop innovative solutions to computing problems in a broad range of disciplines, such as science, engineering, aerospace, medicine, and entertainment. 

Admission to the Program

The Computer Science program is open to any student with an active interest in computer science. No prior computer experience is required. However, full admittance to the program requires precalculus-readiness determined by certain minimum test scores on either the SAT Math or the Accuplacer Advanced Algebra test, or by successful completion (C or better) of either Stockton’s Intermediate Algebra or Algebraic Problem-Solving courses. Students who do not qualify as precalculus-ready may receive Conditional admittance until they meet the minimum math requirement. 

Students should declare their degree major no later than the end of the sophomore year. Students in the B.S. in Computer Science who transfer 64 credits or more from another institution without having completed the equivalent of Programming and Problem Solving I and II (CSCI 2101/2102), as well as Discrete Mathematics (MATH 2225), and Calculus I and II (MATH 2215/2216) before transferring to Stockton should expect to spend more than two years at Stockton to fulfill the requirements for a B.S. in Computer Science. 

Program Organization and Graduation Requirements

The Computer Science (CS) program at Stockton University offers a B.S. in Computer Science, as well as a minor in Computer Science. The CS degree and minor are discussed below with full curriculum details on the curriculum worksheets found on subsequent pages. 

B.S. in Computer Science

The B.S. in Computer Science includes the theory and conceptual knowledge, programming and analytical skills, and an understanding of contemporary platforms that are fundamental to modern software development. All CS majors learn programming and problem solving, data structures and algorithms, computer organization, software engineering, computer networking, mathematics, and science. This major is ideal for creative analytical thinkers who like to solve problems. 

The B.S. in Computer Science requires 19-20 program courses (80 credits), as follows:

• 8 courses in the CS core (30 credits),

• 5 courses in the math core (22 credits),

• 1 science core course (5 to 6 credits),

• 1 math/science elective (4 to 6 credits),

• 4 CSCI upper-level elective courses (16 credits), and

• Between 0 and 3 credits of cognates depending upon science choice above. Cognates may include any additional CSCI courses. Other courses require approval to count as cognates.  With approval of the CSCI program faculty, students can request to use additional credits of MATH, BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS as cognates. However, Precalculus (MATH 1100) only counts as At-Some-Distance. No other courses can be used as cognates (including no CIST courses, as well as no courses with the retired CSIS course acronym).

This degree also requires 48 additional credits in General Studies/At-Some-Distance courses.

Note that a grade of “C or better” is required for courses in the CS Core and the Math Core. 

Computer Science Minor

The Minor in Computer Science is appropriate for students of all majors who wish to gain expertise with the modern computer-based technology that pervades our daily lives. For example, a student who is interested in the natural sciences could minor in Computer Science to obtain the background to work in the area of computational science. 

The minor in CS requires 5 courses (20 credits), consisting of 2 required courses and 3 electives. Students completing this minor will have the foundation courses to prepare for more advanced level courses (CSCI 2101/2102) and the flexibility to select two upper-level courses appropriate to individual interests and needs. The third elective can be an additional upper level or can be a first-year/sophomore level course, such as CSCI 1100 which provides a broad overview of computer science, or CSCI 2226 which is a second course on discrete mathematics and also serves as a pre-requisite to multiple upper-level computer science courses. 

Only courses with the CSCI course acronym count toward the minor in CS. 

Note: Students in the minor in Computer Science should plan to take Discrete Mathematics (MATH 2225). Although it does not count toward the minor, many of the courses for the minor require it as a pre-requisite. You will not likely complete the minor without taking MATH 2225. 

Note that an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in the CS minor courses is required to earn the minor designation. 

Guidelines for Independent Studies

A student who wishes to pursue a specialized project or a research topic for credit that is not covered by established courses may opt to register for an independent study. The number of credits to be earned is determined in concert with the CSCI faculty member sponsoring the independent study. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have successfully completed at least 64 credits before they will be permitted to undertake an independent study. 

With a project proposal approved by the CSCI program (majority vote of the CSCI faculty), to ensure sufficient depth in Computer Science, a student who meets eligibility guidelines, including completing a minimum of 64 credits, may use up to 4 credits of CSCI independent study toward the 16 required CS elective credits.  The student’s project proposal must include a mapping of project content to the student learning outcomes of the CSCI program.  Approval from the CSCI program must be obtained prior to the start of the semester of the independent study in order for it to count as a CSCI elective.  To allow for sufficient time for the CSCI faculty to review your proposal, plan on submitting your project proposal by the time of the second precepting day during the semester prior.  Independent study projects that do not receive such approval of a majority of the CSCI faculty count only as a cognate, and not as a CSCI elective. 

Guidelines for Internships

An internship involves program-related employment, paid or non-paid. Typically, internships involve partnerships with area and regional organizations. As an intern, a student will work for an employer outside of the academic setting in a carefully designed learning experience involving a supervisor at the internship site and a faculty member. An internship will help students connect their coursework to actual industry settings, provide potential career opportunities, and give “real work” experience for a resume. CSCI internships last a full semester, can be for up to 4 credits, and can count as a cognate towards the student’s major. 

1.    A student, having the sponsorship of a CSCI faculty member, must indicate (to the Assistant Dean of the School of Business) his/her intention to pursue an internship during a particular term, and submit all necessary paperwork to the School of Business.  The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have successfully completed at least 64 credits before s/he will be permitted to undertake an internship. 

2.    Before the internship is approved for credit, the student must submit a proposal to his/her CSCI faculty sponsor, signed by the prospective employer and specifying the scope and expectations involved in the internship.

3.    During the course of the internship, the student must submit to the CSCI faculty sponsor, on a regular basis, signed progress reports confirmed by the employer.

4.    At the end of the internship the student must submit to the CSCI faculty sponsor a culminating project describing what was learned and accomplished as a result of this employment. 

CS majors have completed internships with various government and private organizations including the Federal Aviation Administration, Lockheed Martin, Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Google, and Linode. Stockton CS students have also engaged in summer research activity at major research centers including Cornell University and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Washington Internship program can also be appropriate for CS students. CSCI internships have led to placement upon graduation with organizations including LORAL, IBM, Department of Environmental Protection, Copula, Lucent and CSC. 

No more than 4 CSCI internship credits will be accepted toward the degree. CSCI internship credits count only as cognates and cannot be used in place of any specific CSCI course and cannot be used as a CSCI elective. 

Course Sequencing and Schedule Planning

CS majors must carefully plan their course work to meet the prerequisite requirements of CSCI courses, and to complete an appropriate selection of General Studies topics. 

Only a limited selection of CSCI courses are offered at night, and only a limited selection of CSCI courses are offered online. In order to complete the requirements for a CS degree, students will need to schedule most of their major courses during the day.  Students, unable for any reason to take a prescribed course in the regular semester, have the responsibility to take the course later. Students should not expect a waiver for the course at a subsequent date, nor should they expect that the course will be offered at an unusual time to meet personal needs. 

MATH 2225, Discrete Mathematics, is a pre-requisite for many junior/senior level Computer Science courses and should be completed no later than the end of the sophomore year. Students who do not complete MATH 2225 by the end of the sophomore year may need more than four years to fulfill the requirements for the degree. 

Students should also understand that it is their responsibility to make certain that their academic records are in proper order at the time they apply for the bachelor’s degree. 

Graduation with Distinction

A bachelor’s degree with distinction in Computer Science is awarded to students graduating with a GPA of at least 3.75 in Stockton CSCI 3000/4000 level courses. 

Career Opportunities

Professional opportunities in Computer Science continue to increase at a rapid pace. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics includes a list of occupations projected to grow fastest during the period 2016-2026, many of which are computing-related careers appropriate for those with degrees in Computer Science. A sampling of the career opportunities for those with a B.S. in Computer Science includes the following: 

• Computer Network Architects

• Computer Programmers

• Database Administrators

• Information Security Analysts

• Network and System Administrators

• Software Developers

• Mobile Application Developers

• Web Developers

• Game Developers

• Software Engineers

• Data Scientists

• Cybersecurity Professionals

The CS program provides courses of study to prepare students for each of these occupations. Graduates of the CS program have been successful in a wide range of other professional areas including artificial intelligence, security, virtual reality, internet technologies consulting, secondary education, and university teaching and research. 

The Computer Science degree and the minor curriculum worksheets are on the following pages. Updates and additional details about the CS program are accessible on the Computer Science website. 

Graduate School Opportunities

The B.S. in Computer Science also prepares students who are interested in pursuing graduate level degrees to further their education at the graduate school level. Graduates of Stockton University’s Computer Science program have continued their education in master’s Programs and PhD Programs at a variety of universities, which include Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University, Georgia Institute of Technology, NJIT, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, among others.