Computer and Information Science (B.S.) with Software Development Concentration

Program Overview

Majors are introduced to the broad discipline of Computer and Information Science as they develop foundational competencies through a series of core courses. To complete their major, students select one or more of the following concentrations: Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Software Development, and Web Development. Students have opportunities to participate in programing competitions, service learning, summer research experiences, and professional internships.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of Messiah's Computer and Information Science program can:

  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 a 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.
  7. Explain how faith connects to the discipline and how the biblical call to vocation relates to potential career options. 

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

CIS 180Introduction to Computer and Information Science

3

CIS 181Computer Programming I

3

CIS 332Database Concepts

3

CIS 381Information Systems and Managers

3

CIS 411Systems Analysis and Design Concepts

3

CIS 471Application Development l

3

CIS 472Application Development ll

3

CIS 381: Writing in the major requirement.

CIS 471 and 472: Major Capstone

Four credits from the following (Junior/Senior year)

INTE 394Internship

4-12

INTE 391Internship

1-3

INTE 394 and INTE 391 must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill Major requirement.

Software Development Concentration (36-37 credits)

CIS 191Web Development: Client Side

3

CIS 281Programming for User Interaction

3

CIS 283Business Systems Applications

3

CIS 284Computer Programming II

3

CIS 291Web Development: Server Side

3

CIS 335Software Engineering

3

CIS 385Data Structures and Algorithms

3

MATH 180Discrete Mathematics

3

Three credits from the following:

CIS 251Hardware and Software

3

CIS 255NIX System Administration and Security

3

CIS 384Elements of Computing Systems

3

Three credits from the following:

CIS 315Introduction to Mobile Application Design

3

CIS 415Data Communications and Networking

3

CIS 416Operating Systems and Computer Architecture

3

CIS 418Artificial Intelligence

3

CIS 482Organization of Programming Languages

3

CIS 487Interactive 3D Graphics

3

CIS 416: This course requires prerequisites which may increase the size of the major.

Three to four credits from:

MATH 111Calculus I

4

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3

STAT 281Applied Statistics for Management

3

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement met/major
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences (CIS 180, CIS 181, MATH 111, MATH 180 or STAT 269) met/major
Laboratory Science 3 or 4
Science, Technology & the World waived
Two of the following (6 credits total):
   Social Science
   European History
   United States History
6
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2 or 3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 48-50
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration) 61-62
Free electives 14-11
Total credits 123