Computer Science Major
Linfield University is proud of its tradition of integrating computer skills into its educational programs. Computer experience is increasingly required to succeed in an ever more technological world. For the Computer Science major, deep and continuing exposure to a wide variety of computer-related concepts, skills, and platforms is a career preparation path that offers the industrious student an active role in today’s computerized society.
The Computer Science major is designed to meet the growing demand for broadly-educated individuals with fundamental computer related problem-solving skills. The experience gained in this department prepares the student either for graduate study or for immediate employment in a wide range of businesses and industries that utilize computers. Computer Science at Linfield is future-oriented and innovative. The Computer Science major receives a liberal arts education while building a significant record of experience with modern computing techniques, concepts, and machinery. The student learns standard as well as emerging programming languages and operating systems. Students are encouraged to take an applied internship as part of their learning experience, and research opportunities are available through the department. The Computer Science program relies on firm support from the Department of Mathematics. It seeks to produce adaptable, computer-fluent, up-to-date problem-solvers who can write clearly, communicate effectively, and speak easily in public.
A Computer Science major builds a solid base in the study of computing with emphasis in the following areas: programming, software engineering, data science, networks and communications, systems administration, and computer security.
REQUIREMENTS
Degree Requirements
This major is available as a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, as defined in the section on degree requirements for all majors in this catalog.
Major Requirements
40 COMP credits, plus an additional 12-13 MATH credits, for a combined total of 52-53 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 160 | BEG. PROGRAMMING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING | 4 |
| COMP 161 | BEGINNING PROGRAMMING: OBJECTS | 4 |
| COMP 260 | DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | 4 |
| COMP 262 | DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS | 4 |
| COMP 490 | CAPSTONE PROJECT | 4 |
| MATH 170 | CALCULUS I | 5 |
| MATH 230 | DISCRETE MATHEMATICS | 4 |
| Select an additional 20 credits from the following | 20 | |
| CLOUD COMPUTING | ||
| SOFTWARE ENGINEERING | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN ALG, COMPLEX, INTELL | ||
| MOBILE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE | ||
| PLATFORM-BASED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| COMPUTER SECURITY | ||
| ADVANCED NETWORK COMMUNICATION & Security | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE | ||
| SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| CALCULUS II | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PROOFS | ||
| LINEAR ALGEBRA | ||
| Total Credits | 52-53 | |
Students are encouraged to take these mathematics courses as early as possible because they provide a theoretical background for many COMP courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take INDEPENDENT STUDY (COMP 480) and SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP (COMP 487).
Student Learning Outcomes
- understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science;
- in-depth knowledge of software development, networks and systems development and administration, and information management;
- ability to plan, design, implement, and maintain a hardware, software, or networked project both individually and as part of a group;
- ability to work in multiple programming environments, software development languages, and design paradigms;
- ability to orally present information and write clearly;
- ability to develop in-depth understanding of at least one specialty area of computer science through independent research and, wherever possible, internships;
- ability to understand and function well in an industrial or commercial environment through attachments or internship;
- teamwork, planning, time management skills, problems solving and decision-making skills.