Degree Information
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Pre-requisite Graph | Minor in CS
Masters in CS | Four Year Schedule - Precalculus | Four Year Schedule - Calculus
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science's Bachelor of Science degree program page. This page is intended to provide general information about our program to our students and prospective students. Here we discuss the following items:
Additional information about these items is available in the University catalog, or from a Computer Science faculty member. For information on our Master's degree, please visit the MSCS website.Bachelor of Science Degree
The Computer Science program at Armstrong Atlantic offers a Bachelor of Science degree. The expectation is that virtually all of the program's graduates will either immediately enter the profession of Computer Science, or that they will do so after completing graduate work in the discipline. The major includes a core of courses designed to accomplish the following primary objectives:
- Have students be prepared for employment in business or industry in the wide variety of positions in which Computer Science is required.
- Have students be prepared to enter graduate school in Computer Science or a cognate field.
- Have students develop fundamental skills in Computer Science in order to be in a position to adapt to rapid technological changes.
- Have students develop an understanding of the algorithmic approach to problem solving, including the development, representation, communication, and evaluation of algorithms.
The major includes emphasis in one of the following two tracks: software or systems. There is plenty of flexibility in the program for students at the senior level to explore other areas of interest too.
The Computer Science degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission. The Computer Science program at Armstrong Atlantic was the second program accredited in Georgia and presently is one of only six accredited programs in the state. Armstrong Atlantic's Department of Computer Science was first accredited in 1991.
Career Options
Computer systems are made up of software, hardware, people, and data. Careers available to those with a Computer Science degree can be understood in terms the Computer Science track areas.
Computer scientists who work with software can be involved in the development of new software (programs) or in the maintenance of existing systems. In a small working group, one person may see a project through all phases of software development, from analyzing the need, to designing and coding the solution, to installing the end product for the user. In a large working group, the tasks of analysis, design, implementation, testing, and installation may be divided among many different people or teams. Some computer scientists work in new areas of software capability, such as artificial intelligence, while others are concerned with specialized software application in areas like embedded systems, Web programming, and computer graphics.
Although the task of designing new hardware systems typically falls to electrical engineers, the job of keeping computers, peripherals, and networks running smoothly and efficiently falls to computer scientists. These computer scientists, often called system administrators or network administrators, become proficient in using and modifying the complicated system software that governs the behavior of computers and networks.
Entry-level computer jobs that are centered around people include positions that focus on sales and service of a particular product. In addition, there is an increasing number of positions for computer professionals who train the non-computer scientists of a company and troubleshoot a variety of software and hardware products for them. Later in a career, a computer scientist may hold a position focused on managing a number of other computer professionals.
Jobs in data and information services provide many new opportunities for computer scientists. With the rapid growth of the Internet, companies are recognizing the value of information and the challenge of retrieving pertinent information. A degree in Computer Science can be an important starting point for a career in data and information management.
Employers
Employers of Armstrong Atlantic's Computer Science graduates include among others: Apple Computer, Data General, Delta Airlines, Digital Equipment Corporation, Georgia Power, Honeywell, IBM, Marietta, Oracle Systems, and WallMart. Local employers include among others: Barnhill Genomics, Georgia Ports Authority, Gulfstream, HOSystems, Memorial Medical Center, Savannah Electric, Savannah Foods, the City of Savannah, Savannah Labs, Shopnow.com, Skidaway Institiute of Oceanography, and Union Camp.
Courses of Study
Students must complete at least 54 hours in Computer Science courses. In addition, they complete five courses in mathematics, four science courses, and a course in technical writing. Precalculus is a prerequisite for taking the first course in the Computer Science major. Students who have passed CSCI 1301 with a grade of C or better may become Computer Science majors. Students, who are interested in Computer Science, but have not yet passed CSCI 1301 with a grade of C or better may become Pre-Computer Science majors.
Features
Students in Computer Science at Armstrong Atlantic enjoy small classes that allow them to be known by name and valued as individuals. Discussion between faculty and students often spills over beyond the classroom. Indeed, once a week students and faculty gather for a luncheon and a lecture or discussion on a topic of interest in Computer Science. Computer programming teams compete in regional and national competition. In 1994, the Armstrong Atlantic team won the programming competition in the southeastern region at the Division II level.
Because Savannah serves as the business and manufacturing center for southeast Georgia, there are a number of internship and cooperative education work opportunities available off campus for computer students. Further, campus academic computing services employs many student in positions on-campus.
