Bachelor of Arts in Computer Systems

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Systems program emphasizes the application of principles to practical problem solving in a domain of interest. Students complete a core set of foundation courses and coursework in one of the following concentrations: web programming, system administration, game development, graphics programming. Students also have the ability to combine the study of computer systems with another field of study through the general interdisciplinary option.

Mission Statement

The Department’s purpose in offering the Bachelor of Arts degree program is to strengthen student means to remain on a fulfilling, productive, life-long learning path by guiding them to fundamental understanding of the structure and operation of modern computer systems and the methods by which these systems are applied to the solution of problems of interest to society. The study of Computer Systems provides an ideal avenue for students to develop intellectual skills that will make them valued by their present and future employers, and will lead them to opportunities in which they exercise their creativity and problem solving skills to accomplish tasks that are personally fulfilling and recognized as positive contributions to society. Faculty and staff of the Computer Science Department are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for students to attain the benefits that come from mastery of this discipline. The principal characteristic of the BA program that distinguishes it from the traditional BS program offered by the Department is that it places greater emphasis on the process of problem solving in the context that Computer Science is applied outside of the computing discipline. To accomplish this, students take fewer units of theoretical computer science, mathematics and physics, and increase the number of units taken in applied courses that are designated for an applied area of study. In their final year of study, students complete a senior interdisciplinary project that solves a computing problem in their applied area of study.

The goal of the BA Computer Systems program is for graduates of the program to proceed to graduate study, attain industry positions in the computing field, or engage in other satisfactory activities for which their BA Computer Systems studies have prepared them.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements may be adjusted from one academic year to the next. Generally, students fulfill the requirements of the university catalog published in the year they declare their major. However, students have the option of fulfilling the requirements of any subsequent year catalog.

Current Program Information

• Program description, 2008/2009
• Flowcharts of Course Dependencies, 2008/2009
  • General Interdisciplinary Option, 2008/2009
  • Web Programming Option, 2008/2009
  • System Administration Option, 2008/2009
  • Game Development Option, 2008/2009
  • Graphics Programming Option, 2008/2009

Program Information, 2007/2008

• Program description, 2007/2008
• Flowcharts of Course Dependencies, 2007/2008
  • General Interdisciplinary Option, 2007/2008
  • Web Programming Option, 2007/2008
  • System Administration Option, 2007/2008
  • Game Development Option, 2007/2008
  • Graphics Programming Option, 2007/2008

Program Information, 2006/2007

• Program description, 2006/2007
• Flowchart of Course Dependencies, 2006/2007

Additional Resources

• Yearly Schedule of Courses
• Admission to CSUSB
• CSUSB Catalogs
• CSCI 482 Senior Interdisciplinary Project

Road Maps to Degree Completion

• Typical 2-Year Sequence
• Typical 4-Year Sequence
• Typical 5-Year Sequence
• Typical 6-Year Sequence

Advising Policy

Students meet with a faculty adviser at least once per year for the purpose of reviewing progress towards the degree, and to ensure that the student's course choices allow the student to complete their degree program in a timely manner.