Computer Science

Applied baccalaureate degree

Applied baccalaureate degrees are distinguished by a focus on serving the needs of adults who already hold an associate’s degree and now desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree in order to advance their careers or, in some cases, to change careers. Most commonly the associate’s degree held by the adult is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). These degrees provide the knowledge and skills needed by students to start a career immediately after completing the degree rather than preparing them to continue to upper division courses and a bachelor’s degree. It is easiest to consider the scenario where those who have received an AAS degree, started a career based on this degree, and later have decided that they would like a bachelor’s degree. These adults may have some of the following career aspirations:

• To increase their responsibility level but remain focused on a technical career.

• To move into supervision or management.

• To obtain the advantages associated with a liberal arts degree including general broader knowledge and more advanced thinking and problem solving skills, possibly including a desire to continue to pursue a graduate degree.

Admission to the Applied Baccalaureate degree program

The A.B. degree is NOT open for the traditional student who is currently enrolled at WOU (e.g., a student who started higher education at WOU or a student who earned a transfer degree such as an AAOT). Admission into the A.B. degree track at WOU requires the student to meet the following conditions:

• Student has either completed and Associate of Applied Science Degree (or other terminal/non-transfer associate degree)
  ~OR~

• Has a minimum of 60 quarter units toward an Associate of Applied Science degree (or other terminal/non-transfer associate degree).

Placement of transfer units into the A.B. curriculum will be determined in consultation with the academic advisor for the specific A.B. program.

Students who have pursued and/or have completed an Oregon Transfer Module (OTM), Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree or an Associate of General Studies degree (AGS), are not eligible for admission into the A.B. track – they will continue to be admitted into our traditional B.A., B.S., B.F.A., B. Mus degree tracks.

The following are requirements of the Applied Baccalaureate core curriculum as well as major requirements for Computer Science. It does not represent a contract and may have errors. Please consult the current WOU Course Catalog and your advisor for more information.

Applied Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Applied Baccalaureate Core Curriculum Grid

CS/IS Tentative Course Offerings by Term

Founded in 1980, the Western Oregon Computer Science program blends instruction of theoretical and practical aspects of computing, with an emphasis on the practical.

Our graduates demonstrate a solid foundation in core concepts, problem solving and decision-making skills, preparing graduates who will be productive employees as software engineers and lifelong learners. As part of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students select from a wide-variety of minors. The major and minor combination provide unique employment opportunities for our graduates.

To enter the Computer Science program, students should have a minimum of MTH 95 equivalency. To enter the junior level (300) courses, students must have completed CS 160, CS 161, CS 162, and CS 260. Computer Science majors must have a grade of C or better in courses that are used to satisfy the major requirements. Students must also have a C or better in all listed prerequisite courses unless waived by the course instructor and the Computer Science Division Chair.

The degree requirements listed below are considered a draft until fully approved through the Western Oregon University curriculum process.

Information Systems majors must have a grade of C or better in the required Information Systems major courses.