2017-2018 Student Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Student Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, A.S.


Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:    Associate in Science
HEGIS Code:            5101
SUNY Code:             0532
Major Code:             COMP

The Career

Computer Science is a tremendously rich and broad field, but ultimately is about employing the computational power of computers to solve problems. Computer Science requires the ability to program (or, “write software”) but is so much more than just programming. Your career will require the ability to work both independently and in teams, to communicate effectively with co-workers and customers, to research solutions to unsolved problems. You will rely on theoretical knowledge, intuition, creativity, and plain hard work. Computer scientists work on applications ranging from business to medical to national defense and homeland security, to scientific exploration, and more. In fact, the entertainment field drives many of the most cutting edge advances in the design of computer hardware and processing algorithms. Can a machine be taught to be make good decisions - for example, can a car drive itself safely in rush hour traffic? Such research falls within the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Can computers learn to recognize faces, even when the face is partially obscured, turned slightly, or changed due to age? Neural computing, utilizing processing techniques motivated by the anatomy of the human brain, is used to attack complex problems such as these; problems which are nearly unsolvable using traditional techniques. The list of specialties that fall within the field of Computer Science are too extensive to enumerate here, but these few serve to highlight how dynamic, challenging, and rewarding this field can be.

The Computer Science field has a consistent and growing demand for graduates who earn their associate degree and transfer to a four-year college to complete their baccalaureate degree requirements. Based upon data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight of the 30 fastest-growing careers are in computer science or computer science-related fields. Career choices include systems architect, systems software developer, applications programmer, computer engineer, operations research analyst, system/security administrator and database administrator.

The NCCC Approach

The Computer Science program is intended to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or university. Our dual admissions and articulation agreements ensures that our graduates can successfully transfer and complete graduation requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics or Information Systems.

Students will have access to the college’s modern computer facilities which includes the use of a personal computer for each student to use during class. Computer labs are also available for students to complete work outside of class and are located at convenient locations around the campus.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.

Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than four semesters of full-time study if a student begins this program in a spring semester.

Dual Admissions

Medaille College
SUNY at Buffalo
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College at Buffalo
SUNY College at Fredonia

Articulation Agreements

SUNY at Buffalo
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College at Buffalo
SUNY College/Empire State
SUNY College at Oneonta

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To prepare students for transfer into a computer-related curriculum (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Information Science or Management Information Systems) at a four-year institution
  • To develop in students the ability to think critically, and to develop creative and systematic approaches to problem solving
  • To assist students in meeting the SUNY General Education Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of all required courses, the student is able to:

  • Design, implement, test, and debug programs that employ fundamental programming constructs
  • Utilize the three basic principles of object-oriented design:  encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism
  • Work as a team member in a problem-solving situation
  • Design, analyze and understand the relationship between digital components forming the building blocks of modern digital devices
  • Design and implement efficient solutions utilizing appropriate algorithms and data structures

Program Requirements (COMP)


  1. A total of at least 63-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
  2. Computer/Information Science: A minimum of 23-credit hours to include:
     
     
     
     
     
     ___  ___   Computer Science (CPS) or Computer Information Systems (CIS) elective  (CPS or CIS course must have a number of 200 or higher) OR
    MAT 255  -  Linear Algebra  
  3. Natural Science - General Education, Lab-Based Science Sequence: A minimum of 8-credit hours to include:
    General Biology Sequence
    BIO 109  -  General Biology I  
    BIO 109L  -  General Biology I Lab  
    BIO 110  -  General Biology II  
    BIO 110L  -  General Biology II Lab  
    OR
    General  Chemistry Sequence
    CHE 111L  -  General Chemistry I Lab  
    CHE 113L  -  General Chemistry II Lab  
    CHE 120  -  General Chemistry I  
    CHE 121  -  General Chemistry II  
    OR
    General Physics Sequence
    PHY 131  -  General Physics I  
    PHY 131L  -  General Physics I Lab  
    PHY 132  -  General Physics II  
    PHY 132L  -  General Physics II Lab  
    OR
    Calculus-Based Physics Sequence
    PHY 171  -  Calculus-Based Physics and Mechanics  
    PHY 171L  -  Calculus-Based Physics and Mechanics Lab  
    PHY 172  -  Calculus-Based Physics II  
    PHY 172L  -  Calculus Based Physics II Lab  
  4. Mathematics - General Education: A minimum of 12-credit hours to include:
     
       
      
  5. Basic Communication - Written: A minimum of 6-credit hours to include:
      *
      OR
    ENG 103  -  Writing for STEM  
  6. Basic Communication - Oral: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    SPE 101  -  Speech Communication  OR
    SPE 102  -  Public Speaking  OR
    SPE 103  -  Interpersonal Communication  
  7. The Arts/Western Civilization - General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours selected below:
    ART 100  -  Exploring the Arts  (also available as MUS 100  or THA 100 ) OR
    ART 137  -  Ancient to Gothic Art  OR
    ART 138  -  14th to 19th Century Art  
  8. General Education: A minimum of 6-credit hours to be selected from two (2) different categories below:
    American History 
    Foreign Language  
    Humanities  
    Other World Civilization  
    Social Sciences  
  9. Health/Physical Education: A minimum of 2-credit hours.

 

Typical Program


Total Credit Hours: 17


Total Credit Hours: 17


Third Semester


Total Credit Hours: 15


Fourth Semester


Total Credit Hours: 14


Note:


* Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to NCCC students.  Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships . The NCCC Scholarship Office is located within the Financial Aid Complex, A-114 or by phone (716) 614-6205.