Program Overview

Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate provides a bridge to computing opportunities for students with undergraduate backgrounds in disciplines other than computer science-related areas of study. Students will learn how computers work and how software is designed, written, and deployed. Students will learn practical skills in developing software and be prepared to conceptualize, design, and implement software. Graduates will be able to analyze problems and design software to solve those problems, and develop effective and efficient software implementations.

Admission Requirements

In addition to general admission requirements of the university, applicants to the certificate are normally expected to have earned a GPA of 3.00 or higher in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. Applicants must also submit a goals statement and a resume.

Bridge Pathway Opportunities

The Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate offers opportunities for admitted students to directly matriculate into the Computer Science, MS or Software Engineering, MS upon certificate conferral and without a new graduate admission application.

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 18

This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

All students must complete 18 credits of coursework inclusive of: four required core courses (12 credits), and two elective courses (6 credits).

Core Courses

• COMP 501: Computer Programming Foundations I (3 credits)
• COMP 502: Mathematical Foundations of Computing I (3 credits)
• COMP 503: Computer Systems Foundations I (3 credits)
• COMP 511: Computer Programming Foundations II (3 credits)

Restricted Electives

Students must select two courses (6 credits) to complete the certificate.

Electives for non-bridge pathway students:

• COMP 512: Mathematical Foundations of Computing II
• COMP 513: Computer Systems Foundations II
• CS 504: Principles of Data Management and Mining

Electives for Computer Science, MS bridge pathway students:

• COMP 512: Mathematical Foundations of Computing II (3 credits)
• COMP 513: Computer Systems Foundations II (3 credits)

Electives for Software Engineering, MS bridge pathway students:

• SWE 619: Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (3 credits)
• SWE 621: Software Design and Architecture (3 credits)

Program Outcomes

Students will learn:

• Important mathematical underpinnings of computing.
• Essential design principles of computer systems.
• Techniques for developing software for computer systems.
• To design, develop, test, and debug moderate-size programs to perform useful functions and provide effective solutions to problems.

Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate/Computer Science, MS Bridge Pathway

Overview

The field of computing refers to a variety of processes grounded in computational thinking. These processes include designing and constructing software systems to process information, to create communications and entertainment, and to identify information relevant to a particular purpose or problem.

Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to the Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate and elect a bridge pathway option as part of their application.

Bridge Continuation Requirements

Students who elected the bridge pathway on their graduate admission application and have applied for graduation from the Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate with a 3.0 or better GPA will be invited to join the Computer Science, MS program for the semester that immediately follows (Fall or Spring).

Certificate Conferral

Certificate students who elected a bridge pathway on their graduate admission application, and who are successfully completing their final term of Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate courses, must apply to graduate from the Certificate and submit a transition form to the Computer Science department before the graduation application inactivation deadline.

Master’s Conferral

Students who have successfully completed all Computer Science, MS degree requirements within university time limits will have their Master’s conferred after completing their application for graduation.

Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate/Software Engineering, MS Bridge Pathway

Overview

The field of computing refers to a variety of processes grounded in computational thinking. These processes include designing and constructing software systems to process information, to create communications and entertainment, and to identify information relevant to a particular purpose or problem.

Admission Requirements

Students must be admitted to the Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate and elect a bridge pathway option as part of their application.

Bridge Continuation Requirements

Students who elected the bridge pathway on their graduate admission application and have applied for graduation from the Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate with a 3.0 or better GPA will be invited to join the Software Engineering, MS program for the semester that immediately follows (Fall or Spring).

Certificate Conferral

Certificate students who elected a bridge pathway on their graduate admission application, and who are successfully completing their final term of Computing Foundations Graduate Certificate courses, must apply to graduate from the Certificate and submit a transition form to the Computer Science department before the graduation application inactivation deadline.

Master’s Conferral

Students who have successfully completed all Software Engineering, MS degree requirements within university time limits will have their Master’s conferred after completing their application for graduation.