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Vision and Mission statements

Vision Statement
The Computer Science Programs produce graduates who are immediately able to contribute effectively in either corporate or graduate academic contexts. Our educational philosophy emphasizes realistic software development challenges with a focus on teaming, communication and project leadership; our curriculum emphasizes innovation, design, and exploration of the latest advances in the rapidly changing field of computer science.

Mission and Goals
Provide an outstanding educational experience by a student-centered faculty who closely track rapidly evolving technical frontiers in computer science, are innovative and inspiring teachers, and are active practitioners in their technical areas. Key elements of this experience include:

• A curriculum that reliably develops knowledge and skills required for success in modern computer science practice.
• An educational emphasis on a practical balance between theory, design, practical skills, and learning skills to allow graduates to integrate quickly into the modern professional environment.
• Continuously updated courses and content to respond rapidly to fast-paced advances in computing technologies.
• A program that serves Arizona, the nation, and the international community through the practice of professional teaching and activities in computer science.

CS Program Educational Objectives and Measurable Outcomes

Objective 1:  Graduates are technically competent and prepared for leadership and professional practice with strength in design, problem solving, communications and teaming.

Outcome 1.1  Possess professional skills and knowledge of the software design process.
Outcome 1.2  Ability to function effectively in both co-located and distributed software development teams.
Outcome 1.3  Possess abilities to effectively communicate orally.
Outcome 1.4  Possess abilities to effectively communicate in writing.
Outcome 1.5  Abilities in creativity, critical thinking and problem identification, formulation and solving.

Objective 2:  Graduates are grounded in computer science and related mathematical fundamentals and prepared for advanced education and lifelong learning.

Outcome 2.1  Competence in and ability to apply foundational theoretical concepts and skills related to software development, including underlying knowledge of mathematics (including discrete math, linear algebra, and statistics).
Outcome 2.2  Familiarity with a broad range of programming languages and paradigms, with practical competence in at least two languages and paradigms.
Outcome 2.3  Ability to apply knowledge of formal software development concepts to select and apply software development processes, programming paradigms, and architectural models appropriate to different application contexts.
Outcome 2.4  Motivation and skills needed for lifelong learning.
Outcome 2.5  Ability to use industry standard Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), debugging support tools, and other modern software development tools.

Objective 3:  Graduates are have an understanding of the scope and implications of the rapid and increasing  integration of software-driven technologies into personal and professional spheres of modern society.

Outcome 3.1  Ability to relate a broad education and contemporary issues to software solutions and their impact in a societal and global context.
Outcome 3.2  An appreciation and understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

Objective 4:  Graduates integrate quickly into the workplace or advanced education due to an emphasis on high quality teaching, advising and mentoring.

Outcome 4.1*  Be a leader in educational innovation and the use of technology in providing a quality educational experience.
Outcome 4.2*  Attract and retain well-qualified students.
Outcome 4.3*  Foster advising and mentoring relationships between faculty and students.
Outcome 4.4*  Graduates have accurate well-formed expectations about workplace or graduate school.

* Outcomes marked with an asterisk relate to unique program characteristics and nature of learning environment; they are essentially “non-learning” program outcomes that articulate central distinguishing characteristics our program and are therefore assessed for continuous improvement and accreditation.