Computer Science (B.S.)
Computer Science Department
Department Chair: Sarah Tasneem
Requirements accurate as of September 2017. See academic program web pages
http://www1.easternct.edu for updates.
Goals
Computer science education at Eastern Connecticut State University emphasizes the fundamental
principles of mathematics and the engineering sciences, and is broadened by substantial
opportunities in the arts, the social sciences, the life sciences, and the humanities.
The pervasive character of modern computer science has precipitated many interactions between
computer science and other disciplines. A good foundation in undergraduate computer science is
increasingly viewed as an excellent preparation for careers in business, engineering, law, and
medicine. Through the selection of electives, students may create specialized interdisciplinary
tracks with computer science as the core of their study.
The computer science program encourages this experimentation by defining minors in the areas
of management information science and mathematics. A commitment to this approach in
computer science education is realized by the ability to double major at Eastern Connecticut
State University in both Mathematics and Computer Science.
In summary, the goals of the computer science program are deeply rooted in the liberal education
as well as a professional experience. The detailed objectives of the program reflect this overall
concern.
Objectives
The Computer Science degree program at Eastern Connecticut State University provides students
the foundations and skills for future work and careers in computing. Additionally the curriculum
prepares students to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills, to further their study, and to
advance in a fast-changing world. We accomplish these goals by placing our computer science
program in the context of the liberal arts core curriculum.
Upon graduation, students will:
1. Possess practical and theoretical knowledge of computer science sufficient to work
professionally and contribute to the regional and global economic development.
2. Be able to apply computational techniques to design and implement solutions to realworld problems.
3. Be prepared for advanced education in computer science and continued professional
development.
4. Possess the skills and the intellectual abilities that will enable them to adapt in the everchanging field of computer science.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Acquire the fundamental computing knowledge and skills recommended by the
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society for
undergraduate computer science programs.
2. Apply fundamental principles and methods of computer science to a wide range of
applications.
3. Design, analyze, implement and compare solutions to computing problems.
4. Recognize and respect the professional standards of ethics expected of computer
professionals and appreciate the social impact of computing.
Degree Requirements
A major must satisfy Categories I and II noted below (52 credits total). A grade below 2.0 in any
300- or 400-level course is unacceptable toward the major.
I. All courses in this section are required: 40 credits
MAT 230
or
CSC 230
Discrete Structures
Discrete Math for Computer Science
3
MAT 243
Calculus I with Technology
4
CSC 180
Fundamentals of Computing
3
CSC 210
Computer Science and Programming I
3
CSC 231
Computer Science and Programming II
3
CSC 270
Data Structures
3
CSC 320
Computer Architecture
3
CSC 335
Algorithm Design and Analysis
3
CSC 341
Database and Information Management
3
CSC 401
Networking and Distributed Computing
3
CSC 440
Operating Systems
3
CSC 445
Software Engineering
3
CSC 450
Senior Research
3
II. Electives: Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following (at least 8 must be
computer science credits):
*CSC 300- or 400-level course (not in I, except internships)
8-12
MAT 244
Calculus II with Technology
4
MAT 340
Calculus III
4
MAT 350
Numerical Analysis
3
BIS 367
Human Computer Interfaces and Design
3
The electives also offer students opportunity to focus their studies on an area of concentration.
Please contact each area mentor for further information:

Bioinformatics (Mentor: Dr. Garrett Dancik)

Computational Science (Mentors: Dr. Joel Rosiene and Dr. Garrett Dancik)

Embedded Systems (Mentor: Dr. Joel Rosiene)

Big Data (Mentors: Dr. Sarah Tasneem and Dr. Huan-Yu Tu)

Software Systems (Mentors: Dr. Kehan Gao and Dr. Jianhua Lin)
*CSC 300- or 400- level courses include, but not limited to, the following:
CSC 305
Data Mining and Applications
3
CSC 311
Computer & Video Games Development
3
CSC 314
Introduction to Bioinformatics
3
CSC 315
Bioinformatics Programming and Analysis
3
CSC 325
Introduction to Theory of Computing
3
CSC 332
Introduction to Modeling and Simulation
3
CSC 338
LANs, MANs and Internetworking
3
CSC 339
Network Management and Administration
3
CSC 340
Programming Languages and Translation
3
CSC 342
Advanced Database Systems
3
CSC 343
Big Data Programming and Management
3
CSC 347
Embedded Micro-Controllers
3
CSC 350
Numerical Analysis
3
CSC 351
Signals and Systems
3
CSC 352
Digital Signal Process
3
CSC 355
Digital Logic Lecture
3
CSC 360
Topics in Computer Science
3
CSC 375
Artificial Intelligence
3
CSC 380
Mobile Computing and Programming
3
CSC 410
Client/Server Computing
3
CSC 420
Microprocessors
3
CSC 430
Computability And Automata
3
CSC 456
Advanced Software Development
3
CSC 475
Intelligent Systems
3
CSC 480
Independent Study
3
Recommended Course Sequence: Computer Science Major
First Year
CSC 180
Fundamentals of Computing
CSC 210
Computer Sci And Programming I
MAT 155 (LAC T1M)
Precalculus Mathematics
ENG 100 (LAC T1W)
College Writing
HPE 104 (LAC T1HW)
FYI 100 (First Year Introduction)
LAC Tier I
Second Year
CSC 231
Computer Sci And Programming II
CSC 230
Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
or
MAT 230
Discrete Structures
MAT 243
Calculus I
CSC 270
Data Structures
LAC Tier I
LAC Tier II
General Electives
3
3
4
3
2
3
12-13
Total 30/31 credits
3
3
4
3
3-4
9-12
3-6
Total 30 credits
Third Year
CSC 320
CSC 335
CSC 341
CSC 300/400
LAC Tier II
General Electives
Computer Architecture
Algorithm Design and Analysis
Database And Info Management
Computer Science Electives
Fourth Year
CSC 401
CSC 440
CSC 445
CSC 450 (LAC Tier III)
CSC 300/400
General Electives
Networking and Distributed Computing
Operating Systems
Software Engineering
Senior Research
Computer Science Electives
3
3
3
6
3-6
9-12
Total 30 credits
3
3
3
3
6
12
Total 30 credits
Cooperative Education
The Department participates in the Eastern Cooperative Education Program (please see catalog
description). Participating students have worked in full-time paid positions in companies such as
Computer Science Corp., Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Travelers, IBM, and UTC. Participants gain
experience in a work environment, apply their academic skills, earn a significant salary, and,
upon graduation, enter the work force beyond an “entry-level” position.
Facilities
The Department’s computing facilities are structured to support state-of-the-art undergraduate
education in computer science. The program emphasizes the hands-on experience in its
curriculum and most of the computer science courses are taught in one of our dedicated
computer labs. A dedicated computer lab, which supports multiple operating systems (Linux and
Windows), is available exclusively for computer science majors for their exploration and
research activities. Through membership subscription, the department provides students with
some of the latest platforms, servers, and developer tools in the market. The department’s
computing facilities support a versatile set of software, including Microsoft Visual Studio
(including .NET Framework), Microsoft SQL server, MATLAB, Eclipse IDE, Oracle SQL
Developer, Oracle Java EE, and Cloudera CDH5 VM. Eastern is a Member Institution of Oracle
Academy. With this Institutional Membership, the department can have full-access to Oracle’s
industry-leading software for use in teaching and research.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research opportunities are available for highly motivated Computer Science
students. Independent studies and directed research projects are available in conjunction with
faculty research interests. Students and faculty jointly participate in a seminar series that also
involves outside speakers. Outstanding student work may be presented at professional societies.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Eastern has the Alpha Charter of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Society in
Connecticut. This particular honor society is nationwide. Students in this society are asked from
time to time to tutor other students in computer science, to represent our university on computer
science issues, and to present undergraduate papers at computer science conferences.