College of Science, Health & Engineering

Undergraduate Advising

We are pleased you are considering a career in one of the computing sciences. We are here to support you in that decision, and we have found that consistent advising is one of the best ways to ensure success in choosing the path you take during your experience here. We hope you take advantage of the opportunities for advising that we offer you!

The Computer Science Department has the following undergraduate programs:

• BS in Computer Science,
• BS in Computer Information Systems,
• BA in Computer Science Theory
• BA in Computer Science-Multimedia Programming and Development
• BA in Computer Science-3D Animation and Game Development

Prepare!

High School Students:

High school students wanting to pursue a major in this department are advised to take as much mathematics as possible, including a course or courses in their senior year. Students will benefit from computer science courses available in their high school, but should not use them at the expense of mathematics courses. High school students are also encouraged to take laboratory science courses and a keyboarding course.

Transfer Students:

Community college transfer students interested in Computer Science should pursue mathematics courses through pre-calculus 1 or beyond, dependent upon the degree of choice, as well as an advanced sophomore-level composition course. Washington and North Idaho students can consult transfer guides at www.ewu.edu/transferguide to determine which courses are equivalent for both general education requirements and courses that may apply to the major. All transfer students are encouraged to contact the department for advice on selecting their preparatory coursework. Courses taken to apply to the major should be taken late in the community college experience, just prior to transferring to EWU.

Come talk to us!

If you are interested in one of the computing sciences majors, it will be to your benefit to contact an advisor here to discuss the program and your plans. Do this as quickly as possible, since appropriate advising can save you time and optimize the progression of classes. Our advisors are eager to help, so why not email (compsci@ewu.edu) us, stop in, or give us a call at 509-359-6260 for an appointment!

How do I begin?

As soon as you've decided on your degree, come see one of our advisors, listed below, and in just a few minutes you will be a major in your chosen degree. You'll also plan out your first quarter of classes in order to register. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have. It's really that simple!

Advancement

Formal application for advancement in the major is encouraged when the student enters CSCD 211, and required by the time the student completes CSCD 300. Advancement in the major will be provided to those who, in the judgment of the faculty, are most likely to succeed in the program.

Application for Advancement: The student will submit a completed application form, along with a formal letter requesting advancement. This letter is addressed to the chair of the department and addresses the student's career goals, the elements of his or her background that he or she feels demonstrate the potential for success in computer science, and explanatory remarks concerning his or her experiences and academic career to date. This cover letter must include an affirmation that the student has read, understood and will comply with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of both the Computer Science Department and the ACM, www.acm.org/constitution/code.html.

The student will submit the application materials to his/her advisor for review and editing. When the advisor and student are satisfied that the application is complete, the student will submit it to the chair of the department, who will review the materials, and may meet with the student prior to making a decision. Factors in the decision include:

• Advancement Programming Exam Results
• Grades in required and elective courses
• Overall and departmental GPA
• Work experience
• Communication skills
• Evidence of dedication and purpose
• Well-roundedness and involvement as demonstrated by membership in a computer professional society (ACM, IEEE), a service club, ASEWU or as a community volunteer
• Affirmed commitment to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Advancement Programming Exam (APE): Prior to advancement students are required to pass an examination that demonstrates programming ability, based on the material in CSCD 210 Programming Principles I and CSCD 211 Programming Principles II.

Advising

We recommend that you come for advising for each quarter, in order to avoid pitfalls of scheduling we might be aware of. Advising is a team effort -- you and an advisor together are more likely to spot potential difficulties than either one alone.

Here are the faculty and staff available to help you get started:

BA Computer Science

Margo Dalager Stanzak - 509.359.6254 - mstanzak@ewu.edu
Gar Springberry - 509.359.4734 - gspringberry@ewu.edu

Internships

Stu Steiner - 509.359.4296 - ssteiner@ewu.edu

Graduate Advising

Pursuing a graduate degree can be an exciting adventure, and a wise career move. It's good to begin thinking about that as you are working toward your undergraduate degree. Sometimes it is possible to take classes that can be used toward your master's degree while still completing your bachelor's degree. It would be helpful for you to talk with an advisor about that. As you progress through your undergraduate degree, and you become more clear about your areas of deeper interest, it is a good time to begin exploring the options available to graduate students. Any faculty member can talk with you about career plans, and give you good insights on their areas of expertise.

Programs

The Computer Science Department has the following graduate program:

• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Interdisciplinary: In addition to the Master of Science in computer science, the department offers numerous customized interdisciplinary master's degree programs in cooperation with other departments. Contact Dr. Rolfe for further information.

How do I begin?

You can obtain the degree and application information by contacting the department or checking the Document Download page. Contact Dr. Rolfe for more specific planning toward the degree:

Carol Taylor - 509.359.6908 - ctaylor@ewu.edu

We look forward to seeing you soon!