Computer Science, Associate of Science Degree in Science and Mathematics

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Computer Science prepares students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at four-year colleges and universities in a variety of programs including computer science, information processing and related fields. The program meets the guidelines of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM).

The field study for this degree focuses on an introduction to the theoretical foundations of computing, algorithms and programming techniques as applied to Operating Systems, Information Technology and Data Structures. Students reinforce this theoretical knowledge base with programming in both high-level programming languages and Assembly Language programming as well as study computer architecture in great detail.

Graduates are able to:

solve various kinds of problems using high level languages
apply sound programming techniques in designing program structure and logic
apply appropriate data structures and algorithms arising in various applied fields
assess the ethical implications of work performed
explain components of basic computer architecture
demonstrate the mathematical analysis of algorithms to measure efficiency

Raritan Valley Community College Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs are designed to comply with the New Jersey Community Colleges General Education Foundation which supports transfer of courses to NJ Public four-year colleges and universities. Students who intend to transfer to a NJ college or university can further improve the transfer of courses by using the Recommended Transfer Program (RTP) feature in NJTransfer.org.

Curriculum – A.S. Degree

First Semester

ENGL 111 - English Composition I 3 Credits
MATH 151 - Calculus I 4 Credits
CISY 105 - Foundations of Computer Science 4 Credits
Social Science 3 Credits ²

Second Semester

ENGL 112 - English Composition II 3 Credits
CISY 254 - Data Structures 4 Credits
MATH 152 - Calculus II 4 Credits
Science 4 Credits ³

Third Semester

Math Specialization Elective 4 Credits ¹
Science 4 Credits³
Humanities 3 Credits ²
General Education Math Elective or Programming Elective 3-4 Credits ⁴

FITN 115 - Dynamics of Fitness & Wellness 1 Credit ⁶

Fourth Semester

Math Specialization Elective 4 Credits ¹

CISY 256 - Computer Architecture & Assembly Language 4 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ²
Free Elective 3 Credits ⁵
Social Science 3 Credits ²

Total Credits 61 - 62

¹Students must select from MATH 255 Discrete Mathematics , MATH 256 Linear Algebra , MATH 254 Differential Equations , or MATH 251 Calculus III . Students should check the transferability with the college to which they intend to transfer.

² Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list.

³ Science requirements must be a two-semester sequence in one of the following: PHYS 150 Analytical Physics I & PHYS 151 Analytical Physics II *(recommended), PHYS 101 General Physics I & PHYS 102 General Physics II *, CHEM 103 General Chemistry I & CHEM 104 General Chemistry II *, BIOL 101 General Biology I & BIOL 102 General Biology II *. *Check catalog for prerequisite courses.

⁴ Select a math course from the appropriate category of the General Education list or any programming elective on the Computer Science (CISY) Electives List . Students should check the transferability with the college to which they intend to transfer.

⁵ Any college-level course except CISY 102 Computer Literacy or CISY 103 Computer Concepts and Programming .

⁶ FITN 142 Elements of Physical Fitness or FITN 204 Exercise Physiology & Body Mechanics may be substituted.