Computer and Information Sciences, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Choosing to major in computer and information sciences helps the student gain core knowledge of information sciences in order to integrate business and real-world perspectives, interpersonal and team skills, and the competencies that lead to a career in computer and information sciences. The ability to devise a solution and execute it is at the core of this program. A graduate of this program will be able to design such solutions which involves the integration of few key design notions of data representation, algorithms, programming, data security, hardware, and software engineering within one unified framework. The ultimate goal is to enable the student to understand a problem and build a general-purpose computer system from the ground up through a program of study that provides a sound computer information system engineering design experience.

Program Goals

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Sciences program have to:

Apply theoretical constructs of mathematical analysis, and sound reasoning to develop and deploy practical solutions for real world problems;
Evaluate computing system requirements sufficient for developing efficient computational solutions for real world problems;
Assimilate new methodologies and advances in computer technology in an ever-evolving discipline;
Master the elements of effective written and oral communication of results to technical and non-technical audience;
Work independently and in collaboration with colleagues;
Live up to the ethical standards of the profession and professional knowledge and skills to contribute to society; and,
Develop an understanding of the code of ethics of the software industry (social contract); and, therefore a sense of what it means to be a good citizen.

Computer and Information Sciences Requirements

This program requires a total of 50 semester hours: 1) 35 semester hours from the core courses listed below and 2) 15 semester hours completed in the Individualized Concentration. The semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses( ).

Complete all of the following Core courses - 35 semester hours:

CISC 120 - Programming I (4 semester hours)
CISC 160 - Data Structures (3 semester hours)
CISC 211 - Computer Organization and Architecture (4 semester hours)
CISC 225 - Information Systems Analysis and Design (3 semester hours)
CISC 233 - Essential Algorithms (3 semester hours)
CISC 301 - Operating Systems (3 semester hours)
CISC 325 - Programming Languages Concepts and Paradigms (3 semester hours)
CISC 399 - Formal Languages and Automata Theory (3 semester hours)
MATH 220 - Calculus I (3 semester hours)
MATH 250 - Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 semester hours)
MATH 310 - Discrete Mathematics II (3 semester hours)

Complete the following Concentration:

Individualized Concentration (15 semester hours)

A Computer and Information Sciences student must take 15 semester hours of Computer and Information Sciences electives. The offerings of the Computer and Information Sciences program provide the student with opportunities to deepen their skills and knowledge of cognate areas in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Software Engineering. The student will work with their academic advisor(s) to craft an appropriate program of study. The intent is to provide the student with personally relevant training in subject and skill areas that align to the student’s career goals, interests, and personal strengths.

Complete all of the following courses - 15 semester hours:

300-400 level CISC courses (not required in Core) (9 semester hours)
400 level CISC courses (not required in Core) (6 semester hours)

Computer and Information Sciences Five Year Programs - Course Requirements

Additional information regarding Five-Year Programs available here .

Computer and Information Sciences, Individualized Concentration/Computer Information Sciences, Cyber Security Concentration, B.S./M.S. Five-Year Program

The undergraduate hours consist of: 1) 18 semester hours of Foundations courses, 2) 30 semester hours of General Education, 3) 13 semester hours of Experiential Learning, 4) 35 semester hours of Computer & Information Science program courses, and 5) 15 semester hours of Computer Science concentration courses. The graduate hours consist of: 1) 15 semester hours of Computer Information Science core courses, 2) 6 semester hours of Computer Information Science Experiential Learning, and 3) 15 semester hours of Cyber Security courses.

Complete the BS Computer and Information Sciences/Individualized requirements - 50 semester hours

Complete the MS Computer Information Sciences/Cyber Security requirements - 36 semester hours

CISC 520 - Data Engineering & Mining (3 semester hours)
CISC 525 - Big Data Architecture (3 semester hours)
CISC 530 - Computing Systems Architecture (3 semester hours)
CISC 603 - Theory of Computation (3 semester hours)
CISC 610 - Data Structures & Algorithms (3 semester hours)

Cyber Security Concentration:

CISC 661 - Principles of Cybersecurity & Cyberwarfare (3 semester hours)
CISC 662 - Ethical Hacking Development Lab (3 semester hours)
CISC 663 - Cyber Rick Assessment & Management (3 semester hours)
CISC 683 - Special Topics in Cyber Security (3 semester hours)
or
Elective (3 semester hours)
CISC 693 - Current Topics in Cyber Security (3 semester hours)
or
Elective (3 semester hours)

Experiential Learning:

GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)
CISC 699 - Applied Project in CISC (3 semester hours)
or
GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)

Computer and Information Sciences, Individualized Concentration/Computer Information Sciences, Scientific Computing Concentration, B.S. /M.S. Five-Year Program

Complete the BS Computer and Information Sciences/Individualized requirements - 50 semester hours

Complete the MS Computer Information Sciences/Scientific Computing requirements - 36 semester hours

CISC 520 - Data Engineering & Mining (3 semester hours)
CISC 525 - Big Data Architecture (3 semester hours)
CISC 530 - Computing Systems Architecture (3 semester hours)
CISC 603 - Theory of Computation (3 semester hours)
CISC 610 - Data Structures & Algorithms (3 semester hours)

Scientific Computing Concentration:

CISC 600 - Scientific Computing I (3 semester hours)
CISC 601 - Scientific Computing II (3 semester hours)
CISC 614 - Computer Simulation (3 semester hours)
CISC 681 - Special Topics in Scientific Computing (3 semester hours)
or
Elective (3 semester hours)
CISC 691 - Current Topics in Scientific Computing (3 semester hours)
or
Elective (3 semester hours)

Experiential Learning:

GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)
CISC 699 - Applied Project in CISC (3 semester hours)
or
GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)

Computer and Information Sciences, Individualized Concentration/Information Systems Engineering and Management, Individualized Concentration, B.S./M.S. Five-Year Program

The undergraduate hours consist of: 1) 18 semester hours of Foundations courses, 2) 30 semester hours of General Education, 3) 13 semester hours of Experiential Learning, 4) 35 semester hours of Computer & Information Science program courses, and 5) 15 semester hours of Computer Science concentration courses. The graduate hours consist of: 1) 15 semester hours of ISEM core courses, 2) 6 semester hours of ISEM Experiential Learning, and 3) 15 semester hours of Graduate elective courses.

Complete the BS Computer and Information Sciences/Individualized requirements - 50 semester hours

Complete the MS Information Systems Engineering and Management/Individualized requirements - 36 semester hours

ISEM 500 - Strategic Information Systems Planning, Engineering & Management (3 semester hours)
ISEM 540 - Architectures and Integration of Modern Enterprises (3 semester hours)
MGMT 510 - Business Strategy and Management Principles (3 semester hours)
Choose one of the following courses:
- CISC 510 - Object-Oriented Software (3 semester hours)
- ENTP 500 - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 502 - User-Centered Design (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 503 - Artificial Intelligence Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 530 - Analysis and Design of Modern Information Systems (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 565 - Business Intelligence and Decision Support Systems (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 574 - Block Chains and Bit Coins (3 semester hours)
- LTMS 531 - Designing Serious Games and Simulations (3 semester hours)
- QISC 530 - Foundations of Quantum Information Science (3 semester hours)
Choose one of the following courses:
- ANLY 500 - Analytics I: Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)
- ENTP 510 - Entrepreneurship: From Traction to Scale (3 semester hours)
- ISEM 528 - Industry Analysis and Technology Patterns (3 semester hours)
- MGMT 511 - Digital and Global Organizations (3 semester hours)
- PMGT 510 - Principle of Project Management (3 semester hours)
- QISC 550 - Programming Quantum Computers (3 semester hours)

Individualized Concentration:

The Master of Science in Information Systems Engineering and Management student can choose courses totaling 15 semester hours of credit from any of the graduate programs at Harrisburg University. This option allows the ISEM student to build their own customized specializations and concentrations. Although the ISEM student can take any courses from any graduate program, they are encouraged to choose electives that focus on their professional area of interest. In addition, the ISEM student is expected to use the concepts learned in these electives to strengthen their capstone courses. Suggested elective courses that focus on areas such as Analytics, Business Intelligence, Digital Enterprises, Digital Technologies, Information Security and many others are listed in the “ISEM Student Guide available at www.ngecenter.org (ISEM Corner) or by contacting your ISEM advisor or the program lead.

Experiential Learning:

GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)
GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)
or
ISEM 699 - Applied Project in ISEM (3 semester hours)