Department of Computer Science

Location: 201 Maes Building, (409) 880-8775

Chair: Stefan Andrei

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Mission Statement

The department will offer an education that is highly regarded by students, colleagues, industry, and other universities for its quality in teaching and in pure and applied research. We recognize that computer science requires a solid foundation in fundamental principles in order to prepare our graduates for continued learning and adaptation to the increasingly rapid changes likely to occur in information technology. Our department prepares its students for professional employment and graduate education through study and implementation of the fundamental principles of theory, abstraction, and software design, while at the same time presenting the ethical and social issues associated with computer science. We believe that the work environment should enable everyone involved to feel a sense of confidence, power, and self worth that will lead to the joyful pursuit of learning and effective teaching. We believe this environment is best fostered when there is a climate of collegiality and collaboration among the participants. We believe that integrity, honesty and trust are the foundation for success in any enterprise.

Objectives of the Computer Science Undergraduate Programs

1. Graduates of the Computer Science Program will develop professional skills and the necessary technical knowledge both in breadth and depth that prepare them for employment and advanced study in computer science.
2. Graduates of the Computer Science Program will have sufficient awareness of the local and global societal impact of technology and of the related legal and ethical issues in computer science to make decisions regarding their personal and professional responsibilities.
3. Graduates of the Computer Science Program will be aware of ethical and professional responsibilities and the need to engage in life-long learning.
4. Graduates of the Computer Science Program will have the communication, teamwork, and leadership skills necessary to function productively and professionally.

Computing Facilities

The Computer Science Department has six switched Ethernet laboratories attached to the gigabit-bandwidth campus network infrastructure through which Lamar University is connected to the Internet and World Wide Web. The equipment in the labs is abundant and available to all students. It is comprised of a diverse assortment of hardware and software running on dual processor AMD 64-bit workstations, Sun workstations, and servers and Intel-based PCs. The department offers image and video processing equipment for multimedia-related classes. Software for advanced courses and research in database, network simulation, symbolic computation, neural networks, continuous and discrete simulation, artificial intelligence and computer graphics can be readily accessed from servers. Wireless access to the Internet is in place within the Maes Building including the area where computer science offices are housed. The department also has high performance computing equipment for use with GPGPU programming and gaming.

Cooperative Education Program

The Department has had long-standing cooperative (COOP) programs with many companies and industries, both in Southeast Texas and around the state. This has proved to be an excellent program for both the students and the companies involved. The minimum requirements to be considered for a COOP position are a GPA of at least 2.75, 30 hours college credit, and 9 hours credit in Computer Science. Some cooperative employers are DuPont, NASA, Texas Instruments, IBM, Texaco Research, and National Instruments. Students should apply during their sophomore year.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - 121 hrs
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Game Development Concentration - 121 Hours
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science - 121 hrs
Minor in Computer Information Science Teacher's Certificate
Computer Game Development Certificate - 15 Hours
Computer Science/M.B.A. Track
Computer Information Science/M.B.A. Track
M.S. Computer Science

Academic Policies of the Computer Science Department

In addition to the general university and college standards and policies stated in the Lamar University Catalog, the Computer Science Department enforces the following academic standards and policies:

1. In most cases, successful completion of a class requires a grade of C or better. There are two exceptions. CS and CIS majors are expected to make a B or better in COSC 1336 before taking COSC 1337. Similarly, a grade of B or better in COSC 1337 or COSC 3306 is required before taking COSC 2336.
2. Our majors are expected to be successful in their chosen discipline. Students who have attempted at least twelve hours of computer science courses and whose GPA in such courses drops below 2.00 will be required to declare another major. Students receiving a B.S. in CS or a B.S. in CIS will be required to have an overall GPA of at least 2.25 and a GPA in courses taken from the computer science department of at least 2.25.
3. Pursuant to university policy, full-time students must take English composition each long semester until the minimum requirements in those areas are satisfied. In addition, full-time students must also take mathematics each long semester until at least twelve (12) hours towards the degree is completed. Students are expected to have taken mathematics at least through pre-calculus or equivalent in high school.
4. No freshman student will be allowed to take any senior-level computer science course. A student may not register for the same class more than four times. If the student later drops the course or withdraws from school for that semester (receiving a “Q” or “W” for that course), the course counts as one attempt.

Bachelor of Science – Computer Science

The computer science program at Lamar is a broad-based program emphasizing the areas of programming languages, data structures, information systems, theory of programming languages, software engineering, networking, database, multimedia, applications of computer science, and computer architecture. The program requires 48 hours in computer science, 20 hours in mathematics, 12 hours in laboratory science, 3 hours in free electives, and 4 hours in electrical engineering as well as the general university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Students are required to take the ETS Computer Science Field Exam during the semester in which they are graduating. This program is also offered online.

The student who completes this four-year academic program is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and is well prepared to pursue a professional career as a computer scientist, or to pursue graduate work in computer science or in an area of related specialization. Advisor: Bo Sun.

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. General Requirements: See core curriculum.
2. Mathematics: MATH 2413, 2414, 3370, 3328 or 3435.
3. Sciences: An approved Lab Science must be chosen from the following six courses: CHEM 1311 & 1111, CHEM 1312 & 1112, BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426
4. Computer Science Requirements: 48 semester hours. COSC 1172, 1173, 1336, COSC 1337, COSC 2336, COSC 2372, COSC 3302, COSC 3304, COSC 3308, COSC 3325, COSC 4172, COSC 4302, COSC 4310, CPSC 3320, CPSC 4340, CPSC 4360. Note: A grade of "C" or better is necessary in required computer science courses with the following exceptions: a "B" or better in COSC 1336 is required before taking COSC 1337. Similarly, a grade of "B" or better in COSC 1337 or COSC 3306 is required before taking COSC 2336.
5. COSC/CPSC/ELEN Elective (6 semester hours) – COSC 4301, 4307, 4309, 4319, CPSC 3316, 4315, 4316, 4320, 4330, 4370; ELEN 3381, 4387, 4486, 4304.  
6. Academic Elective – 3 semester hours. Any Lamar University course which offers semester credit hours is permitted.

Total: 121 semester hours

Note: Students are required to take the ETS Computer Science Field Exam during the semester in which they are graduating.

Comments:

1. Changes and substitutions must be approved by the department chair.
2. Second semester communication/modern language courses must be chosen from the following courses: COMM 1315, 1360, 2335, 2373, 3310, or 3340; or CMDS 2375; or an introductory modern language course.
3. Two semesters of US or Texas history from HIST 1301, 1302 or 2301.
4. Social Science Electives are: ECON 1301, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, BULW 1370, INEN 2373.
5. Creative Arts Electives are: ARTS 1301, DANC 2304, or MUSI 1306.
6. COSC/CPSC/ELEN courses may be taken as academic electives. The COSC/CPSC/ELEN electives are: COSC 2370, 4301, 4307, 4319; CPSC 4305, 4320, 4330, 4370; ELEN 3381 and 4387. Others, particularly ELEN 4304 require approval of the department chair.

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science with Game Development Concentration

The Game Development concentration has four 3-credit hour courses replacing the elective courses from the B.S. in C.S. degree with: COSC 1324, COSC 2324, COSC 4324 and COSC 4325. The degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Game Development Concentration will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements.

Minor in Computer Science

Required courses for the minor in computer science are:

1. With a grade of "B" or above:
   1. COSC 1336 Principles of Computer Science I & COSC 1173 Programming Lab
   2. COSC 1337 Principles of Computer Science II & COSC 1174 Fundamentals of Computing II Lab
2. With a grade of "C" or above:
   1. COSC 2336 Data Structures
   2. CPSC 3320 Data Communications/Computer Networks
   3. CPSC 4340 Database Design
   4. COSC 4302 Operating Systems
   5. COSC 4360 Software Engineering

The total number of credit hours for this minor is 23.

Bachelor of Science – Computer Information Science Program

The Computer Information Science program has an overall emphasis on information networking and technology. An interplay of knowledge from areas such as distributed computing, software engineering, expert systems, information retrieval and database management systems define the information technology concept. Information networks are becoming an integral and strategic component of such industries as petrochemicals, transportation, space technology, education, banking and finance, medical applications, manufacturing and retailing. Graduates of this program will possess an integrated set of skills from the fields of engineering, computer science and business.

The program requires 45 hours in computer science and computer and information sciences, 13 hours in mathematics, 24 hours in business and communications, 8 hours in laboratory science, and 6 hours of electives, as well as the general bachelor’s degree requirements. Students are required to take the ETS Computer Science Field Exam during the semester in which they are graduating. Graduates of this program will be prepared to respond to the varied and changing needs of an information society. Such positions as Database Administrator, Network Manager, and Chief Information Officer are among the careers that are open to graduates in this field.

1. General Requirements: See core curriculum. 
2. Mathematics and Science Requirements: MATH 2413, 1342  or 3370 or BUAL 3310, 3328. Lab Science 8 semester hours from the following – PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426,  BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1404.
3. ECON 1301, ACCT 2301, MGMT 3310, ACCT 2302, MGMT 3320
4. Computer Science Requirements: 45 semester hours. COSC 1172, 1173, 1336, COSC 1337, COSC 3304, COSC 4172, COSC 4302, COSC 4330, COSC 4360, CPSC 3320, CPSC 4315, CPSC 4340, CPSC 4370 or COSC 4307. Note: A grade of "C" or better is necessary in required computer science courses with the following exception: a "B" or better in COSC 1336 is required before taking COSC 1337. Similarly, a grade of "B" or better in COSC 1337 or COSC 3306 is required before taking COSC 2336.  Elective (3 semester hours) – COSC 3302, 3308, 3316, 3325, 4301, 4307, 4309, 4310, 4316, 4319, CPSC 4320, 4370.
5. Business Elective - 3 Semester Hours
6. Academic Elective – 6 semester hours. Any Lamar University course which offers semester credit hours is permitted.
7. Total: 121 semester hours

Note: Students are required to take the ETS Computer Science Field Exam during the semester in which they are graduating.

Comments:

1. Changes and substitutions must be approved by the department chair.
2. COMM 1315, 1360, 2335, 2373, 3310, or 3340; or CMDS 2375; or an introductory modern language course.
3. Two semesters of US or Texas history from HIST 1301, 1302 or 2301.
4. Fine Arts electives are: ARTS 1301, DANC 2304 or MUSI 1306.
5. Acceptable COSC/CPSC electives are: any of the alternative courses listed above as well as: COSC 3302, 3308, 3325, 4301, 4307, 4309, 4310, 4319, 4322, 4345; CPSC 4320 and 4370

Bachelor of Science - Computer Information Science/Master of Business Administration

The B.S. in Computer Information Sciences Program can prepare a student to complete the foundation courses required to achieve an M.B.A. program in the College of Business

Thus, a student can receive a B.S. in Computer Information Sciences and an M.B.A. within five years after the beginning of his/her study at Lamar. The below courses from the College of Business are required for the B.S. in Computer Information Sciences.

By utilizing four electives for the B.S. in Computer Information Sciences Program, the equivalent of the classes taken as foundation courses of the M.B.A. can be completed during the bachelors degree, as follows:

A student can take U1 and U2 to be substituted for G1, and vice versa. Similarly, a student can take U3 and U4 to be substituted for G2 and vice versa. For the other two courses, U5 can be substituted for G3 and U6 can be substituted for G4, and vice versa. In addition, COSC 3325 (Computer Law and Ethics) is now a required course in the CIS/M.B.A. track, not an elective.

Students with a B.S. in Computer Information Sciences who pursue this program can begin their second year of the M.B.A. program immediately after graduation and admission to the M.B.A. program. Admission to the M.B.A. program requires the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Minor in Computer Information Science

Required courses for the minor in computer information science are:

1. With a grade of "B" or above:
   1. COSC 1336 Programming Fundamentals I & COSC 1173 Programming Lab
   2. COSC 1337 Programming Fundamentals II & COSC 1174 Fundamentals of Computing II Lab
2. With a grade of "C" or above:
   1. COSC 2336 Data Structures
   2. CPSC 3320 Data Communications/Computer Networks
   3. CPSC 4340 Database Design
   4. COSC 4302 Operating Systems
   5. CPSC Multimedia Processing

The total number of credit hours for this minor is 23.

Requirements for a Teacher’s Certificate in Computer Information Science—Opt. I Specialization: (27 semester hours) COSC 1336, COSC 1337, COSC 2336, COSC 2372, COSC 3304, COSC 4302, CPSC 4340. Six hours from COSC 3308, COSC 4307, COSC 4309, CPSC 3320, CPSC 4330, MATH 2414, MATH 2305, MATH 2318, MATH 1342. —Opt. II Specialization: (27 semester hours) COSC 1336, COSC 1337, COSC 2336, COSC 2372, COSC 3304, COSC 3308, CPSC 4330, CPSC 4340, COSC 4302 or COSC 4310 or CPSC 3320.

For details concerning requirements for teacher certification and information on professional education courses, consult the College of Education and Human Development section in this catalog.

Minor in Multimedia and Web Design Technologies

The required courses for the minor in web design program with a grade of "C" or above are:

1. COSC 1381 Game Programming
2. COSC 2330 Web 2.0
3. COSC 3320 Web Design
4. COSC 3323 Fundamentals of Digital Media
5. COSC 4320 Advanced Web Design
6. COSC 4332 Programming Mobile Devices

The total number of credit hours for this number is 18.

Graduate Program

Alternate Work/Study 

An enrolled student may alternate between study and employment as a formal part of her/his training. While working, the student might perform research and collect data for his/her thesis at a facility that offers technology not available at Lamar University. A letter from the student’s academic advisor explaining why he or she is unable to conduct research on campus and must go to another research facility may be required. Only students doing a thesis are eligible for alternate work/stud