The School of Information Technology and Communication Design - The School of Information Technology and Communication Design

The Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems provides students with an opportunity to explore their particular interests in the development of software applications, computer networking, and information systems. The Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems allows students to tailor their minor curriculum so that it can be integrated with many other major programs at CSUMB. Students first take one lower division course and then four upper division courses that fulfill minor learning outcomes (mLOs). Following CSUMB’s outcomes-based philosophy and ITCD’s portfolio process, each student needs to take a one-unit Proseminar to complete the minor.

What will I gain by minoring in Computer Science & Information Systems

Many students at CSUMB would like to combine their specific academic interests with an emphasis in information technology and communication design. Many unique and exciting opportunities exist to combine knowledge and skills from courses offered by ITCD with other major programs at CSUMB, including Earth Sciences and Social Policy, Teledramatic Arts & Technology, Business, Liberal Studies, etc. The goal of the ITCD minor is to encourage non-ITCD majors to pursue their interest in Information Technology. Further, this Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems offered by ITCD formally recognizes that ITCD has an obligation to provide high quality educational opportunities to all CSUMB students who want a deeper understanding of Information Technology and Communication Design in order to enhance their learning experience and career opportunity.

How do I complete this minor?

The Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems covers four Minor Learning Outcomes (mLOs). You must satisfy the requirements of all four mLOs to complete the minor.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites exist for many courses in the CSIS minor. At a minimum, students should have successfully completed CST 101: Technology Tools, or equivalent .

Total Credits Required

The Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems requires a minimum of 17 units, which in most cases amounts to a minimum of four courses plus the 1-unit ProSeminar. Following CSUMB’s outcomes-based education model, students can choose to demonstrate fulfillment of the learning outcomes through independent assessments.

What will I learn?

~ mLO 0: Individualized Learning Plan. Produce an individualized learning plan that aligns professional and academic interests with the minor pathway.

~ mLO 1: Computer Programming. Demonstrate a solid understanding of the concepts and practice of programming to find solutions for practical problems.

~ mLO 2: Knowledge of Computers Students will demonstrate knowledge of how a computer represents and transmits information, a computer's component parts and peripherals, and how a computer's parts and components are organized and interfaced. Students will demonstrate ability to perform basic operations (i.e., run applications, manage and navigate files) on a variety of platforms, including Mac, PC, and UNIX operating systems.

~ mLO 3: Computer Science & Information Systems Students will utilize professional level techniques and tools to solve real world problems from among the following areas: software design, databases, computer networking, system administration, dynamic web sites and other web-centric computing disciplines.

What courses can I take to satisfy the learning outcomes?

~ mLO 0: Individualized Learning Plan

CST 301: ProSeminar for Minors and Certificates

~ mLO 1: Computer Programming

CST 231: Problem Solving using C++

~ mLO 2: Knowledge of Computers

CST 337: Computing Architectures and Environments

~ mLO 3: Computer Science & Information Systems

Students will work with an adviser in CST 301 to design the learning experience. This minor learning outcome is fulfilled by any two of the following courses:

CST 334 Unix and X Windows, CST 434 Advance System Administration, CST 336 Internet Programming, CST 338 Software Design, CST 363 Database Management, CST 551 - Web Databases and Services, CST 311: Introduction to Telecommunications, CST 312: Telecommunications Standards, CST 384: Cisco 3 & 4 and CST 313: Telecommunications Management

What will my learning environment be like?

Our campus location—an hour from Silicon Valley, the greatest concentration of hardware and software producers in the world, and two hours from San Francisco, home to a great number of creative designers and content developers—is a huge asset. On campus, our students enjoy small classes conducted in spacious, cutting-edge facilities. A young university established in 1994, CSUMB has been wired for the 21st century since inception. Additionally, we have established working relationships with a number of trend setting companies such as Sun Microsystems, Apple, and Cisco Systems as well as many local employers such as the Defense Manpower Data Center, CTB/Mc Graw-Hill, and others. These companies provide us with the latest in hardware and software and advise us as our dynamic program evolves. They also provide internship and employment opportunities for our students.

What advising and support services are provided for students pursuing the Minor in Computer Science & Information Systems?

There is a Student Services program to help you resolve issues and to direct you to available resources, including a Peer Advising program that will be helpful with studying, development of an Individualized Learning Plan, and working toward your goals. Faculty advising is also available to assist you in reaching your academic goals in a timely manner.

How does this minor interface with various CSUMB majors to prepare students for specific careers?

The CSIS minor is specifically designed to allow students an opportunity to integrate knowledge of computer science and information systems into their major coursework. The CSIS minor provides high quality educational opportunities to all CSUMB students who want a deeper understanding of computer science and information systems in order to make informed contributions to their community using computer technology.