Computer and Information Science Minor
A Minor in Computer and Information Science is available to students not majoring in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems. The dramatically increasing pervasiveness of computers in society makes this an attractive adjunct for students in numerous disciplines. It requires that a student complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of CAIS-labeled course work.
The minor has three “tracks”, two with designated courses, and one that allows for an individualized program of study. They are as follow:
Track 1 – Scientific/Technical (20-21 credits)
CAIS 0102 Computer Science Principles (3cr)
CAIS 0120 Computer Science/Program Design I (4cr)
CAIS 0220 Computer Science/Program Design II (4cr)One of the following:
CAIS 0230 Data Structures/Algorithm Analysis (4cr)
CAIS 0240 Software Engineering (3cr)
PHSC 0265 Intro. to Digital Electronics and Microprocessors (4cr)CAIS 0310 Database Management (3cr)
CAIS 03xx CAIS 300-level Elective (3cr)
Track 2 – Business (19-21 credits)
One of the following:
CAIS 0117 Intro. to Computer Programming – BASIC (3cr)
CAIS 0120 Computer Science/Program Design I (4cr)
CAIS 0205 Intro. to COBOL (3cr)CAIS 0125 Intro. to Computer Information Systems (3cr)
CAIS 0210 Applied Database Development Techniques (3cr)
CAIS 0302 Computer Science Seminar (1cr)
CAIS 0310 Database Management (3cr)
CAIS 0346 Systems Analysis and Design (3cr)
CAIS 02xx/03xx CAIS 200/300 level Elective (3cr or 4cr)
Track 3 – Individualized (18 credits)
This track requires that a student complete a minimum of 18 credits of CAIS-labeled coursework, with at least six credits being at the 300-level. The track is unstructured in that courses constituting the program of study are determined by the student and the Department of Computer and Information Science (DCIS) advisor. Any CAIS-labeled coursework may be applicable to the program of study; however, a student wishing to receive a Computer and Information Science minor via this track must formally declare such intent no later than the completion of 12 credit hours of CAIS-labeled coursework that will be applied toward the minor program of study, so that a DCIS advisor may be assigned to the student and the program may be planned and approved in conjunction with the advisor.
Additional Parameters and Notes
Coursework from other colleges may be transferred into the minor program; however, a minimum of 12 credits of coursework that will be applied to the program must have been taken at Westfield State University. Note that the minor program is designated as being in Computer and Information Science (not in Computer Science or in Computer Information Systems specifically); thus this minor is not available to students majoring in either Computer Science or Computer Information Systems.