Program Overview
The Computer Science Department offers two B.S. /M.S. options. Exceptional students of superior academic ability have the opportunity to accelerate their degree progress. Students can earn their B.S. in either Information Technology or Computer Science, and also earn their M.S. in Computer Information Systems.
Either combined B.S. /M.S. option allows students to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate and master’s degrees, which require 122 and 33 credits, respectively, for a total of 155 credits. Students must write a plan of study for the department’s curriculum committee to challenge 3-15 credits of this total. The plan of study may incorporate advanced standing, independent study, and advanced courses which, when approved, can reduce the total B.S. /M.S. credits to 140 credits. Required undergraduate CSC and Mathematics courses, liberal arts requirements, and M.S. requirements may not be challenged.
Program Contacts:
To e-mail the Department Chair,
Dr. Ian MacDonald, Computer Science Department
Program Webpage: Information Technology, BS, Computer Information Systems, MA
Program Requirements:
Summary B.S./M.S. requirements
| Liberal Education requirements |
41 |
| Undergraduate Computer Information Technology Major |
61 |
| M.S. requirements |
33 |
| Free electives |
20 |
| Subtotal |
155 |
| Less potential challenge credits |
(3-15) |
| Total |
140-152 |
Once accepted for this program, students do not obtain a degree until all course work is completed; then they are awarded two degrees – the B.S. in either Information Technology or Computer Science, and the M.S. in Computer Information Systems. After admission to the program, the student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all CSC courses (undergraduate and graduate) completed. No undergraduate CSC course with a grade of lower than C+ will be accepted for graduation. No grade less than B in CSC 202, CSC 302, and CSC 321 will be accepted for graduation. All other graduate curriculum requirements apply.
Major in Information Technology (61 credits)
CSC electives from the following: (9)
*Any CSC 200-level or above course not already required by the major will satisfy elective credit
MAT courses at MAT 180 level or above (6)
The Computer Science Department requires that students who transfer credit for CSC 424 submit a capstone portfolio for approval by the Computer Science Department faculty.
School of Mathematics & Sciences Research Honors Concentration
In order to promote undergraduate research within The College of Saint Rose, the School of Mathematics & Sciences has created a research honors concentration program.
The School recognizes that what constitutes research may vary considerably across disciplines. The descriptions listed below represent the accepted definitions of research within the School of Mathematics & Sciences for individual departments currently offering research honors:
- Empirical examination of one or more hypotheses using research protocols and experimental designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Physical and Biological Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology)
- Robust exploratory examination of an advanced Computer Science topic (e.g. programming, design, analysis, simulation) following a traditional research trajectory and/or requiring implementation of a large-scale programming project. (Computer Science)
- In depth critical or theoretical examination of the literature on an unresolved issue in the field. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative examination using research protocols and designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
- Qualitative or deconstructive research that challenges a discipline’s orthodoxy or grand narrative. (Social Work)
Procedural Details:
- Students interested in pursuing research honors and who have achieved at least a B average at Saint Rose, must file an “Intent to Pursue Research Honors Concentration” document with the Dean of Mathematics & Sciences, accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member within the major, and sign up for Research Honors Concentration Candidacy in Mathematics & Sciences for their major at the academic advising office. This concentration will appear on their academic progress report and academic transcript as “Research Honors in Mathematics and Sciences – Department of Computer Science.”
- Students must select a primary research advisor within their major who agrees to oversee the student’s progress toward Research Honors.
- Students must complete the research requirements for honors established for their major as indicated in the course catalog, and maintain an average of B or higher in these traditionally graded courses.
- At the time of graduation, students must have a minimum overall average of B and must meet or exceed the minimum GPA for research honors within their major as established by their department.
- At the conclusion of the research honors requirements, students will submit a thesis in a format appropriate for a scholarly journal within their discipline. Copies of the final thesis will be kept on file in the School of Mathematics & Sciences and in the Neil Hellman Library.
Computer Science
In addition to the general requirements for research honors described above, students pursuing research honors in the Department of Computer Science must meet the following criteria:
- Entry to the research honors concentration is limited to students who have achieved at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.0 GPA overall after completion of their junior year.
- Entry into the program is granted upon submission of an acceptable project proposal. A student must submit his or her proposal to a faculty member of the Computer Science Department; the proposal must describe the intended project and be approved by the faculty member (who becomes the faculty advisor for the project). The proposed project must be a robust exploratory study of a topic not covered in any major course or a deeper examination of a topic covered in a student’s coursework. Programming, design, analysis, or simulation are possible areas of focus.
- In addition to the faculty advisor, at least two other faculty members within the department serve on the student’s committee.
- Once approved, the student embarks on the project, registering for a 3-credit independent study in the first semester of his or her senior year. Note that such projects may span a student’s entire senior year.
- Students must earn at least a B in the independent study.
- Students must present their research project to their committee; the committee determines if the project work is acceptable or requires further investigation or revision.
- Students must publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal or conference proceedings. Examples include the Journal of Undergraduate Research here at The College of Saint Rose, poster sessions at a computing conference, etc.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course
A supervised internship in organizations in the private and public sectors. This course provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the workplace. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite: departmental permission.
Computer Science, Information Technology, Bioinformatics majors, and minors are required to maintain a minimum academic index of 2.25 in the major, 2.00 in each course in the major/minor (and all mathematics courses required by the major), and a 2.25 cumulative GPA.
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
The skills you acquire will put you in demand for some of the hottest jobs in information technology. Majors will acquire the knowledge to advance into positions in computer programming, systems analysis, systems design, internet programming and information systems management.
Minor(s):
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Find Out More: