Accreditation - Computer Science

Mission and Vision

With the advances in technology and the rapid and prevalent growth of the information-based economy, computer science has become an enabling science for nearly all disciplines that impacts engineering, sciences, business, health, and government. The future of the discipline promises even more innovative advances. We in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at University of Colorado Denver are committed to providing outstanding education and research training to our diverse undergraduate and graduate students for productive careers in industry, academia, and government in the Denver metropolitan area, state and beyond. Our faculty strive for excellence in teaching, research, and service by covering a broad spectrum of the core fundamentals of the discipline as well as applied aspects including those of interdisciplinary nature. We will actively engage our students in classroom and out-of-classroom research and help them develop the skills needed to solve complex real-world technological problems of our modern society. 

Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

The objectives of the undergraduate bachelor of arts in computer science program are to produce graduates who:

• Apply algorithmic reasoning to a variety of computational problems
• Implement software systems that meet specific design requirements
• Use current tools or computing techniques to implement and evaluate programs or computer-based solutions
• Apply computer science techniques and tools to solve problems in a chosen application area

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The bachelor of science in computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives of the bachelor of science in computer science program are to produce graduates who:

• Advance professionally as productive, practicing professionals in computer science and related careers through the continued development of their expertise and skills;
• Further develop their knowledge, skill set, and career opportunities through graduate education and/or professional studies.
• Function effectively as a part of a team to succeed in their professional careers.

Student Outcomes

The computer science bachelor of science program must enable its students to attain, by the time of graduation:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to 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.

Graduate Program Educational Objective and Student Outcomes

Master of Science in Computer Science

Program Objectives/Student Outcomes
The master of science program in computer science trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the computer science.
• Understand the broader concepts in computer science and information technologies.

Knowledge
Students must acquire both a conceptual and operational knowledge of the following four core areas of Computer Science:

• Theory of Automata
• Algorithms
• Computer Architectures
• Operating Systems

Skills
Students must acquire the following skills at a level commensurate with graduate work:

• Read and critically evaluate scientific literature
• Identify current problems, formulate assumptions, and conduct and interpret their own research project
• Ability in specification, design and implementation
• Precision and clarity in the oral and written communication of scientific ideas
• Application of scientific concept to real world problem solving

Computer Science and Information Systems PhD

Program Objectives/Student Outcomes
The Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) program’s educational goals are to provide students with research and scientific writing skills to enable students to perform independent research in significant CSIS topic areas and to provide instruction and presentation skills to teach university-level classes and make research presentations. Attainment of these outcomes will prepare students for careers in academic institutions, industry research and development, and consulting firms.

• Students will demonstrate detailed knowledge of major CSIS research areas.
• Student will demonstrate knowledge of major research methodology areas.
• Students will perform independent original research and write research papers based on the research results.
• Students will make research presentations to peer audiences.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of university-level instruction issues especially as the issues relate to CSIS classes.

Cyber Security and Defense Graduate Certificate

Certificate Objectives/Learning Outcomes

• Learn how to mitigate known cyber-related attaches against multiple network and infrastructure devices.
• Learn how to design secure solutions, analyze new cyber-attacks.
• Provide solutions that balance risk, security, privacy, cost and operations.

Software Engineering Graduate Certificate

Certificate Objectives/Learning Outcomes

• Learn basic knowledge for software requirements analysis and development.
• Learn advanced skills for various techniques in software requirement analysis.
• Learn how to design large scale complex systems and enterprise data systems
• Master skills for development and management of large complex systems: software planning, estimations, staffing, and scheduling.

Cyber Security and Secure Computing Graduate Certificate

Certificate Objectives

• Master the fundamental concepts of cyber security principles and techniques.
• Learn about potentials for cyber security threats and attacks.
• Master cyber-defense tools, methods, and components to secure systems.
• Learn how to take appropriate measures should a system compromise occur.
• Learn principles and practices for secure computing

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to describe and apply the fundamental concepts of cyber security principles and techniques.
• Be able to analyze potential cyber threats and attacks.
• Be able to use cyber defense tools, methods, and components to properly secure systems.
• Be able to effectively and quickly evaluate and mitigate if systems are threatened or compromised.