Computer Science
Computer Science website
- Department Chair: Joeseph Clifton
- Office: 208 Ullrich
- Phone: 608.342.1558
- E-mail: clifton@uwplatt.edu
- Administrative Assistant:
- Mary Jo Stutenberg
About the Department and Major
The UW-Platteville Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering offers two majors: one in computer science and one in software engineering. Students may also earn a minor in computer science from this department.
Computer science is concerned with the theory and practice involved in the feasibility, design, implementation and evaluation of every aspect of computing. In addition to the valuable practical skills acquired in the study of computer science, the concepts and theories in the field provide exposure to some of the most imaginative and challenging ideas in the history of human intellectual development. The program is committed to blending the theory of computer science with the arts of programming and analysis, while providing attention to the business, ethical and moral aspects of computing in our society. Graduates are prepared for such positions as systems and applications programmers, analysts and various computer specialist positions.
- Coordinator: Thomas Scanlan
- Office: 224 Ullrich Hall
- Phone: 608.342.1420
- E-mail: scanlan@uwplatt.edu
- Professors:
- Thomas Scanlan
- Qi Yang
- Assistant Professor:
- Lisa Landgraf
- Lecturers:
- Anurag Dasgupta
- Donna Gavin
Computer Science Mission Statement
The mission of the computer science program is to provide a quality computer science education with significant hands-on and laboratory experience that will enable our graduates to practice their profession with proficiency and integrity.
Computer Science Goals
Graduates are expected to have:
- the ability to apply the principles of analysis and design to software development
- knowledge of data structures, databases, algorithms, computer architecture and operating systems
- the ability to develop effective software tests at the unit and system level
- knowledge about the tools and environments used for software development
- written and oral communication skills, ethics and professionalism to function effectively on software development teams, and in society in general
- the ability to engage in lifelong learning and recognize its importance
Computer Science Outcomes
- Foundation: Graduates will have a solid foundation in computer science. These graduates will be able to apply this fundamental knowledge to both their immediate professional software development tasks, as well as to acquiring new professional skills throughout their lifetime.
- Development: Graduates will be able to engage in effective software development practices over the entire system life cycle. This includes requirements, analysis, design, implementation and testing.
- Professionalism: Graduates will conduct themselves ethically, honestly and professionally in all work environment activities. These activities include all interactions with employers, team members and peers, as well as customers.
- Quality: Graduates will use industry recognized best practices to design, develop and deliver software that meets or exceeds applicable standards for utility, reliability, robustness, performance, correctness, maintainability, reusability, portability and economy.
- Presentation: Graduates will be capable of effective written and oral communication. Graduates will be capable of preparing and publishing the necessary project documents involved in the specification, design, testing and deployment of software. Graduates will also be capable of actively participating in customary project discussions, walk-throughs, reviews and inspections.
- Growth: Graduates will be able to provide themselves with lifelong learning capabilities, such as the ability to learn new tools, study new language processes and generally adapt to new surroundings throughout their careers. This outcome is particularly critical due to the rapid evolution and obsolescence of computer science knowledge and practices.
Computer Science Major
The computer science major leads to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in two emphases: computer information systems and computer technology. The department offers a general minor. In addition, selected course sequences form emphases in computer science for a variety of other majors in the university.
Bachelor of Science Degree
- Total for Graduation: 120 credits
- General Education: 43-57 credits
- Major: 67-72 credits
Bachelor of Arts Degree
- Total for Graduation: 120 credits
- General Education: 43-57 credits
- (includes an additional 9 credits in upper division coursework in humanities, fine arts or social sciences)
- Major: 67-72 credits
Students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science must complete an additional nine credits of upper-division coursework from humanities, fine arts or social sciences in addition to the coursework specified for their chosen emphasis and university requirements
Students completing a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science need only to complete the coursework specified for their chosen emphasis and university requirements. All computer science majors must complete at least 38 credits in computer science (not including COMPUTER 1130, 1830 or 2830) and the requirements in one of the emphasis areas of computer information systems or computer technology.
Academic Standards:
All computer science majors must earn at least a "C-" in each computer science or software engineering course listed as a requirement in the emphasis selected and each computer science course listed in the core requirements.
Major Core Requirements
Required Courses (26 credits):
Computer Technology Emphasis
Required Courses (22 credits):
Electives (9 credits):
*COMPUTER 4830, COMPUTER 4930 and COMPUTER 4990 can be counted only with the consent of the department.
Application Domain Electives (12 credits):
Select 12 credits in a discipline other than computer science with at least three credits at the 3000 level or higher. At most, two courses can be below the 2000 level. If software engineering or electrical engineering is chosen, the selected courses cannot also be selected as technical electives. If software engineering is chosen, SOFTWARE 2730 and SOFTWARE 3430 cannot be counted. If mathematics is chosen, the courses must be from courses MATH 2640 and higher. If English is chosen, ENGLISH 1130 and ENGLISH 1230 cannot be counted. The economics, English, mathematics and business courses listed as required courses can count towards the 12 credits of domain electives.
Computer Information Systems Emphasis
Required Courses (30-31 credits):
Electives (12 credits):
COMPUTER 2990, 4830, 4930 and 4990 can be counted only with the consent of the department
Minor in Computer Science (24 credits)
The minor provides sufficient flexibility to complement any major field of study. Completion of the minor is sufficient for a certified teacher to be licensed to teach computer science in Wisconsin.
Required Courses (9 credits):
Electives (15 credits):
Electives for the minor may be selected from any courses in computer science, software engineering or Electrical Engineering 3770. All required courses must be passed with a "C-" or better with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 in the courses. We suggest that students consult with a computer science advisor to plan a minor program.
Software Engineering website
- Coordinator: Joe Clifton
- Office: 208 Ullrich
- Phone: 608.342.1558
- Email: clifton@uwplatt.edu
- Professors:
- Joe Clifton
- Robert Hasker
- Mike Rowe
Software Engineering Mission Statement
The mission of the software engineering program is to provide a quality software engineering education with significant hands-on and laboratory experience that will enable graduates to practice their profession with proficiency and integrity.
Software Engineering Objectives
- Graduates are effective team members, aware of cultural diversity, who conduct themselves ethically and professionally.
- Graduates use effective communication skills to assure production of quality software, on time and within budget.
- Graduates build upon and adapt knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering to take on more expansive tasks that require an increased level of self-reliance, technical expertise and leadership.
Software Engineering Outcomes
The following are the software engineering outcomes expected of the graduates of this program:
- Foundation: Graduates shall have a strong foundation in science, mathematics and engineering, and can apply this fundamental knowledge to software engineering tasks.
- Development: Graduates can effectively apply software engineering practice over the entire system life cycle. This includes requirements engineering, analysis, prototyping, design, implementation, testing, maintenance activities and management of risks involved in software and embedded systems.
- Process: Graduates know various classical and evolving software engineering methods, can select appropriate methods for projects and development teams, and can refine and apply them to achieve project goals.
- Professionalism: Graduates are knowledgeable of the ethics, professionalism and cultural diversity in the work environment.
- Quality: Graduates can apply basic software quality assurance practices to ensure that software design, development and maintenance meets or exceeds applicable standards.
- Presentation: Graduates have effective written and oral communication skills. Graduates can prepare and publish the necessary documents required throughout the project life cycle. Graduates can effectively contribute to project discussions, presentations and reviews.
- Growth: Graduates understand the need for lifelong learning and can readily adapt to new software engineering environments.
Academic Standards:
Software engineering majors must earn a "C-" or better in all required software engineering and computer science courses. Software engineering majors must earn a "D" or better in all corequisites unless otherwise stipulated by the offering department. For example, a "C-" or better is required in PHYSICS 2240 in order to proceed to PHYSICS 2340. However, a "D" in PHYSICS 2340 would satisfy the software engineering requirement for that course. Likewise, a "D" would satisfy the software engineering requirement for computer science courses for which there is an option: COMPUTER 3030, COMPUTER 3630 and COMPUTER 3920. A software engineering major may repeat any given engineering course only one time.
To complete the general engineering requirements and enter software engineering, each student must complete the following seven core courses:
Students who complete their core courses must earn a 2.30 G.P.A. in those core courses to gain entry into the software engineering program.
General Requirements
Bachelor of Science Degree
- Total for Graduation: 127-130 credits
- Major: 102-105 credits
Software Engineering Major (102-105 credits)
Mathematics (21 credits)
Basic Sciences (12 credits)
Software Engineering Required Courses (25 credits)
Computer Science Required Courses (21-22 credits)
Other Required Courses (11 credits)
Application Domain Sequence (12-15 credits)
Select one application domain sequence from:
Digital (12 credits)
Controls Track 1 (15 credits)
Controls Track 2 (15 credits)*
*Assumes MATH 3630 is taken as the Math elective
Engineering Management (15 credits)**
** Assumes BIOLOGY 2340 is taken as the Natural Science elective and MATH 4030 is scheduled early in the curriculum sequence.