Computer Science Scholars Program
Concordia University offers a unique and affordable accelerated path to a master’s degree in Computer Science. The Computer Science Scholars program would allow incoming qualified students with a CS declared major to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science within four years. Approval would mean tuition costs for the graduate degree courses would remain the same as the traditional four-year undergraduate degree. The course load would require 18 credits per semester, with the ability to utilize enrollment in summer and online sessions.
Program Structure
Computer Science Scholars would complete the undergraduate courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree, CS Professional Core, Common Core, along with elective courses totaling 120 undergraduate credits, and the required graduate courses for the Master of Science in Computer Science coursework totaling 30 credits. The minimum required credits for graduation as a CS Scholar would be 150 credits. It should be noted that the scholars program requires the student to meet all traditional requirements of an undergraduate and graduate degree in Computer Science. There are zero courses omitted or counted in multiple degree programs. The scholars program is designed to provided a time compressed path to a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science for the distinguished student.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Professional responsibility. Students will recognize and be guided by the professional, legal and worldview issues involved in the use of computer technology.
- Problem solving. Students will demonstrate how to solve problems in various user domains using the tools of computer science and information technology.
- Elements of computational thinking. Students will recognize the broad relevance of computational thinking in everyday life as well as its applicability within other domains, and apply it in appropriate circumstances.
- Modeling. Students will use such knowledge and understanding in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoff involved in design choices.
- Methods and tools. Students will deploy appropriate theory, practices, and tools for the specification, design, implementation, and maintenance as well as the evaluation of computer-based systems.
- Critical evaluation and testing. Students will analyze the extent to which a computer-based system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development.
- Requirements and Specifications. Students will identify and analyze criteria and specifications appropriate to specific problems, and plan strategies for their solution.
- Knowledge and understanding. Students will exhibit knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to computer science and information technology (especially the nine grand ideas).
- A solid, classic foundation in graduate-level computer science
- Excellent preparation for professional positions in software development and other technical and design oriented pursuits in computing
- Excellent preparation for Ph.D.-level study in computer science or related fields
- Intense, focused classroom instruction with an immersive experience
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 45 | |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Major | 54 | |
| Master of Science in Computer Science | 30 | |
| Electives | 21 | |
| Total Hours | 150 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Major | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| MATH 2050 | Statistics I | 3 |
| CSC 1070 | Theory and Fundamentals of Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 2000 | Coding I - Fundamentals | 3 |
| CSC 2020 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC 2050 | Coding II - Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC 3010 | Computational Dilemmas | 3 |
| CSC 3020 | User Experience and Interactive Systems | 3 |
| CSC 3030 | Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| CSC 3050 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSC 3070 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 4060 | Advanced Database and Web Development | 3 |
| CSC 4950 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Concentration (Please see program director for details.) | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 54 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Computer Science | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| CSC 5010 | Vocation and Ethical Computing | 3 |
| CSC 5015 | Applied Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CSC 5020 | User Experience | 3 |
| CSC 5025 | Data Security and Information Assurance | 3 |
| CSC 5035 | Mobile Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC 5040 | Applied Computer Networking | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Please select one of the following concentrations:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering Concentration | ||
| CSC 6000 | Database Administration | 3 |
| CSC 6200 | Advanced Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC 6210 | Applied Restful APIs and Integrations | 3 |
| CSC 6220 | Language Theory | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Concentration | ||
| CSC 6000 | Database Administration | 3 |
| CSC 6400 | System Administration and Maintenance | 3 |
| CSC 6410 | Advanced Networking | 3 |
| CSC 6420 | System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business Data Applications Concentration | ||
| CSC 6000 | Database Administration | 3 |
| BUS 5120 | Financial Analyses to Drive Business Growth | 3 |
| BUS 5130 | Mastering Analytics and Decision Making | 3 |
| BUS 6520 | Management Science and Analytics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Admission Requirements
This program is open to incoming Computer Science majors who have met the following high school academic requirements:
- High school cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0
- ACT scores of 25 or higher
- Combined SAT scores of 1200 or higher
Once accepted, Computer Science Scholar students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative average while in the program, and take an average of 39 credits per year, utilizing fall, spring, summer and/or online sessions to complete the program within the 4 years.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CSC 1070 | Theory and Fundamentals of Computer Science | 3 |
| CSC 2000 | Coding I - Fundamentals | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CSC 2050 | Coding II - Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC 2020 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| MATH 2050 | Statistics I | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CSC 3070 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 2020 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CONCENTRATION COURSE | 3 | |
| NATURAL WORLD - SCIENCE | 4 | |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP ACTIVITY OR VARSITY SPORT | 1 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CSC 3050 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSC 3010 | Computational Dilemmas | 3 |
| CONCENTRATION COURSE | 3 | |
| HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION | 3 | |
| FAITH & LIFE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CSC 3020 | User Experience and Interactive Systems | 3 |
| CSC 3010 | Computational Dilemmas | 3 |
| CONCENTRATION COURSE | 3 | |
| HUMAN BEINGS & BEING HUMAN | 3 | |
| SOCIETY & CULTURE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CSC ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| CONCENTRATION COURSE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Semester 9 | ||
| CSC 4900 | Internship | 3 |
| CSC 4950 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 10 | ||
| CSC 4060 | Advanced Database and Web Development | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| MSCS GRADUATE COURSE | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 150 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.