Department of Computer Science
Faculty
Brian Glas (2019). Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Department Chair. B.S. (Computer Science) and M.B.A., Union University. CISSP. CSSLP.
Robert Talbott (2021). Assistant Professor of Computer Science. B.S. (Computer Science), Southern Illinois University; M.S. (Information Systems), University of Missouri; M.B.A., Lindenwood University; Ed.D. (Instructional Leadership), Lindenwood University, Higher Education Administration.
Colton Thatcher (2023). Assistant Professor of Computer Science. A.S. in Computer Networking, Jackson State Community College; B.S. in IT - Security Emphasis, Western Governors University; M.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Western Governors University.
Student Awards
A Departmental Award is given to the senior who places first in the Major Field Test for Computer Science as partial fulfillment of 498.
First Year Programming Award is awarded to a computer science student by the Department of Computer Science. A student is selected for excellence and expertise in first year programming courses.
The Bill Truex Award in Computer Science is presented to the outstanding senior in the department based on demonstrated creativity, enthusiasm, and academic achievement.
Curriculum
The department offers several plans of study: Computer Science major, Cybersecurity major, Computer Science minor, Web Development minor, Game Development minor, Cybersecurity minor, Computer Information Systems minor, and interdisciplinary minors in Digital Media Studies and Computational Engineering Science
Upon completion of the Computer Science Major, the student will have an understanding of and an appreciation for the interrelation of the main areas of study in Computer Science. The major provides a solid foundation of the concepts while emphasizing practical application; therefore, the graduate will be able to continue study in Computer Science at the graduate level or enter the job market.
The Computer Science Major has a core set of courses and four concentrations within the major.
- General Concentration
- Web Development Concentration
- Game Development Concentration
- System Infrastructure Concentration
The Cybersecurity major is based on a foundation of Computer Science with broad coverage of the Cybersecurity disciplines and will provide a world class Cybersecurity education with a Christian foundation. Students will learn the what, when, why, and how of Cybersecurity; and be able to materially contribute on their first day in the workforce. As the major is 61 hours, there is no minor required.
The Digital Media Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program joining Art, Communication Arts, and Computer Science. Its purpose is to produce a student aesthetically, theoretically, and technologically trained and capable of excellence in the relatively new area of the design, production, and implementation of digital communications media. Included are such areas as web page design, digital visual and aural communications strategies and theory, interactive media design, media programming, digital presentation techniques, and technological advances in digital communications.
The Computer Science Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in computer science or a related field immediately upon graduation.
The Web Development Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in software development or a related field immediately upon graduation.
The Game Development Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in game development or a related field immediately upon graduation.
The Cybersecurity Minor is intended to augment another major and provide instruction in the areas of Cybersecurity that crossover into other disciplines like business and technology. The minor will provide a foundation of human security, data analytics, risk management, privacy, and audit.
The Computer Information Systems Minor will provide the student with a general understanding of analysis, design, and implementation of applications via third- and fourth-generation programming languages and pre-written packages. This minor is intended for the student expecting to use computers in a job-supportive mode.
CSC 100 and CSC 105 are not applicable to any major/minor in the department.
Assessment of Majors
Majors are required to take CSC 488 and CSC 498, which is the culmination of the major and requires the completion of a capstone project. The department may administer the Major Field Examination.
Student Organizations
The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Student Chapter is composed of students who are interested in today’s world of computing. The club promotes an increased knowledge of the science, design, development, construction, languages, and applications of modern computing machinery. It provides a means of communication between persons interested in computing machinery and their applications.