Degree Programs

The department offers 2 degrees and a minor. An overview of each program is shown below. More detailed information is available on the Advising Information page.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

The mission of the Computer Science program is:

To educate our students for successful careers in computing or pursuing graduate studies, through a deep understanding of the foundations of computer science, technical expertise, teamwork, and leadership for the benefit of the community, region, and society.

The Program Educational Objectives (PEO’s) for the Computer Science program are shown below. PEO's are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. The Program Educational Objectives form the framework for the curriculum for the Computer Science program at VSU as well as support the mission of the department, college, and university.

1. Graduates will distinguish themselves in breadth of perspective and the ability to solve complex problems.

2. Graduates will work effectively in groups that include other computer scientists, and stakeholders from other disciplines, effectively communicating with their peers, customers, supervisors, and others through both written and oral means.

3. Graduates will know how to teach themselves new concepts and technologies, remaining current in their field through the pursuit of life-long learning.

The CS Program provides students with a major focus in computer science, a broad-based general education, and a strong foundation in mathematics. The CS Program, like the CIS Program focuses on problem solving, analysis, design, and implementation of software systems. Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.

2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.

3. Communicate effectively in variety of professional contexts.

4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.

6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

A degree in CS can lead to many different kinds of jobs dealing with computers and with people: computer programmer, software engineers, software architect, help-desk, networking specialist, computer-system manager, consultant, database analyst, computer training specialist, and others are all possible careers. It also prepares students for graduate work in CS or CIS.

See the Advising Information for a sample program which shows how the degree requirements could be distributed over four years, a detailed checklist, and a degree tree that shows the required computer science and math courses and their prerequisites.

CS Program Enrollment and Degree Data

(as of May 2021)

			Enrollment Year
Academic Year	Total Enrollment	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Bachelors
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021	241	98	54	42	23	11	13
FT	158	69	35	27	15	7
PT	83	29	19	15	8	4
Fall 2019 - Summer 2020	219	77	50	38	27	17	39
FT	167	57	40	32	20	14
PT	52	20	10	6	7	3
Fall 2018 - Summer 2019	246	98	58	36	31	8	19
FT	193	82	46	29	22	6
PT	53	16	12	7	9	2
Fall 2017 - Summer 2018	217	79	52	40	14	19	23
FT	164	61	45	30	9	13
PT	53	18	7	10	5	6
Fall 2016 - Summer 2017	220	86	49	26	28	16	27
FT	166	61	39	24	22	13
PT	54	25	10	2	6	3
Fall 2015 - Summer 2016	214	73	40	40	30	19	21
FT	159	59	34	32	20	10
PT	55	14	6	8	10	9
Fall 2014 - Summer 2015	217	59	63	39	25	19	21
FT	167	52	53	28	19	8
PT	50	7	10	11	6	11
Fall 2013 - Summer 2014	226	86	64	29	28	8	14
FT	182	76	48	28	17	6
PT	44	10	16	1	11	2
Fall 2012 - Summer 2013	189	80	47	30	14	10	10
FT	151	70	41	20	10	8
PT	38	10	6	10	4	2
Fall 2011 - Summer 2012	161	63	42	21	16	10	12
FT	123	52	28	19	13	7
PT	38	11	14	2	3	3

CS Industrial Advisory Board (2021)

Keith Atkinson (Robins Air Force Base), Matt Cliatt (Google), Alex Cook (GetWellNetwork), James Ferrier (Azalea Health), Dan Henry (Independent), Mark Lindsey (ECG), Kevin Overlaur (VSU IT), Taylor Picard (Loyal Health), Chelsea Youmans (MailChimp), Jem Young (Netflix), Jonathan Chauncey (Microsoft), Darren McCall (West), Josh Phillips (SevenFifty), Pato Vargas (CSX) and Jam Jenkins

CS Industrial Advisory Board (2018)

CS Industrial Advisory Board (2014)

Brian Haugabrook (Valdosta State University), Dan Henry (Azalea Health), Lin McMichen  (ClientTell Inc), Mark Lindsey (ECG), Ryan Williams (Nexxtep Technology Services, Inc.)

Bachelor's of Science Computer Information Systems

The CIS Program, like the CS Program focuses on problem solving, analysis, design, and implementation of software systems. However, the CIS curriculum has a strong business component with courses in Accounting, Economics, and Management. Also, the CIS program offers breadth of knowledge by requiring courses in software engineering, database, and networking. A second course in one these areas is required as well as an option to take a third course.

The difference between the CS and CIS degrees can be described as follows: CS requires more and more advanced math and science classes while the CIS degree requires 6 courses from the College of Business. In terms of CS classes, there is very little difference between CS and CIS, essentially only CS 3520 (Algorithms), CS 4500 ( Formal Languages and Automata Theory), and CS 4900 (Senior Seminar) which are required by the CS degree but not CIS. Essentially, 13 of the 14 required CS courses for the CIS degree are the same as those required for the CS degree. For more see the Differences between CS and CIS.

A degree in CIS, like CS can lead to many different kinds of jobs dealing with computers and with people: computer programmer, software engineer, software architect, help-desk support specialist, networking specialist, computer-system manager, consultant, database analyst, computer training specialist, and others are all possible careers.

See the Advising Information for a sample program which shows how the degree requirements could be distributed over four years, a detailed checklist, and a degree tree that shows the required computer science and math courses and their prerequisites.

This program provides students with a major in mathematics within the framework of a broad-based general education. The "traditional" mathematics degree, it is intended primarily as preparation for the study of mathematics at the graduate level.

See the Advising Information for a sample program which shows how the degree requirements could be distributed over four years, a detailed checklist, and a degree tree that shows the required math courses and their prerequisites.

Minor in Computer Science

The Mathematics and Computer Science Department offers a minor in Computer Science which requires 17 hours of course work.

These courses are required: CS 1301, CS 1302, CS 3101, CS 3410, and one additional course (3 credits) at the 3000 level or above.

See the Advising Information for a detailed checklist