Computer Science Curriculum
Computer Science & Telecommunications | College of Arts and SciencesThe Information Revolution
The use of computers and other forms of advanced information technology are revolutionizing the way people and businesses work. Not since the dawn of the industrial revolution has the world seen such dramatic and rapid changes in the nature of work. These same technologies are beginning to change our personal lives as well, in areas ranging all the way from banking to shopping and entertainment. In short, it's becoming a "digital world."
Computing and information technologies are the chief "enabling mechanisms" for this historic shift in the way people work. A generation ago people we generally paid based on what they could "do" (i.e. muscle power) whereas today average American workers are paid for what they can "think" (i.e. brain power).
What about the workers in this new digital economy? Who will create and manage these computer systems, design, develop, and test new software applications, and plan for and administer new information systems technologies? It is from this need for a new type of worker that Roosevelt's program in Computer Science was developed.
Roosevelt's Role: Historical Overview
The field of computer science is of course very young by any standard, but as an academic disciple it is even less established. Until the 1970's one could scarcely find it in any college catalogs.
Roosevelt's defining academic characteristic has always been to provide educational opportunities to all those who qualify academically, yet might not otherwise have access to institutions of higher learning due to a variety of factors beyond their control. Back in 1945 the school was founded by a group of faculty protesting their former college's policy of discrimination.
Today Roosevelt continues in its innovative, unencumbered tradition by offering flexible, student centered programs in over 50 disciplines, not the least of which is Computer Science. These programs are geared towards both traditional aged and returning adult students.
Undergraduate Programs
Roosevelt currently offers four programs in Computer Science at the undergraduate level: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS-CS), the Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology (BA-IT), the Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Computer Science (BPS), and the Certificate in Computer Science. The BS-CS is a traditional 120 semester hour BS degree program with the normal general education components, including 12 hours in Natural Science and a math minor. The BPS is an accelerated, degree completion program open to adult learners aged 25 and older (offered by Roosevelt's Evelyn T. Stone University College).
Graduate Programs
Roosevelt currently offers two programs in Computer Science at the graduate level: the Master of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS), and the Graduate Certificate in Computer Science. For BPS students, there is a transitional program from BPS to MS-CS.
