University of Nebraska at Kearney

1996-98 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

College of Natural and Social Sciences

Department of
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

• Computer Science Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
• Computer Information Systems Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
• Computer Science Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
• Airway Computer Science Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
• Computer Information Systems Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
• Computer Science Teaching Subject Endorsement Option - Bachelor of Science in Education Degree
   
• Minors in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems
   
• Supplemental Endorsement in Computer Science

Donald Carpenter, Chair

Professors: D.A. Carpenter, M. Jussel
Assistant Professors: A. Alavi, Messersmith
Lecturers: E. Alavi, T. Wilson

• To provide the necessary preparation for students planning careers in Computer Science and related areas;
• To provide the necessary preparation for students planning careers in Computer Information Systems and related areas;
• To provide the necessary preparation for students planning careers in Airway Computer Science and related areas;
• To provide an adequate background of knowledge and effective teaching techniques for the training of prospective teachers of Computer Science;
• To provide an adequate background of knowledge and effective teaching techniques for the training of teachers in the use of computer technology in education;
• To provide the courses to meet the requirements of General Studies;
• To provide the courses to meet the service functions for departments requiring knowledge of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems;
• To provide courses that meet the service functions demanded by the community and state in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems;
• To prepare students for graduate work and research in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS MAJOR

Six options are available in this major:

I. Computer Science Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
II. Computer Information Systems Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
III. Computer Science Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
IV. Airway Computer Science Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
V. Computer Information Systems Comprehensive Option - Bachelor of Science Degree
VI. Computer Science Teaching Subject Endorsement Option - Bachelor of Science in Education Degree

Students pursuing a field endorsement or two subject endorsements in other areas may obtain a Supplemental Endorsement in Computer Science.

Minors in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems are available for students pursuing majors in other disciplines.

Courses with the prefix CSIS are offered by the department.

Computer Science and Information Systems courses are also used as "Areas of Emphasis" within the Business Administration Comprehensive Major, the Organization Communications Comprehensive Major, and the Telecommunications Management Comprehensive Major.

The Masters of Science in Education Degree with a specialization in Instructional Technology is offered jointly by this department and the College of Education. (See Graduate Catalog for programs and courses.)

The department participates in the Master of Science in Education-Academic Discipline Option with a Mathematics Specialization and in the Master of Business Administration degree. (See Graduate Catalog for programs and courses.)

COMPUTER SCIENCES VERSUS COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS: A LOGICAL CHOICE

Computer-related disciplines have developed to include two broad areas of knowledge: Computer science and computer information systems. The programs and courses offered by this department reflect this situation. Concisely stated, computer science deals within a framework of mathematics, algorithms, and technology, whereas computer information systems is more organizational and applications oriented.

The computer science graduate will be more involved with algorithm formulation, software development and hardware design, while the computer information systems graduate will interact with organizational functions in designing and implementing computer applications.

Both computer science and computer information systems graduates typically obtain similar entry-level positions as computer programmers, systems analysts, or related jobs. The difference between computer science and computer information systems become more distinct as graduates progress on the job or as they prepare for graduate study.

Common Core Courses
All of the options in the Computer Science/Information Systems Major contain the following core courses:

CSIS 130 Introduction to Computer Science
CSIS 150 Structured Programming
CSIS 220 Computer Organization

The common core allows students to defer the decision as to which option to select.