School of Computer Science and Engineering

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The mission of the School of Computer Science and Engineering is to prepare students to become successful professionals across industries utilizing computers and technology for applied solutions, enhancements, and research into new fields. The programs offered emphasize teaching excellence and application of skills that contribute to student development and lifelong learning. The School seeks to contribute to the technical and engineering professions through industry guidance on outcomes and the application of technological advancements in all programs offered.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All students must minimally meet the requirements for general admission to South College. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the accounting or business programs. Program admission is not granted until the following is met.

For Associate programs - Successful completion of 8 hours in the major curriculum at South College, earning the minimum grades required by the program. For the AS Accounting program, ACC 1001  must be successfully completed.

For Bachelor’s programs - Successful completion of 60 hours of the required curriculum at South College, earning the minimum grades required by the program.

For Graduate programs:

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Applicants interested in any Master of Science program offered within the School of Computer Science and Engineering are required to meet individually, either in person or via telephone, with an admissions representative and program faculty to discuss the program and all requirements.

Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide the following:

1. Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in computer science, information technology, information systems, or a closely related field OR evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in any field with a completed certificate program or qualifying bootcamp evidencing significant experience in the discipline of computer science or information technology;
2. Evidence of a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate grade point average for admittance OR Evidence of a cumulative 2.50 undergraduate grade point average for conditional admittance.

Students accepted for conditional admittance are permitted to take no more than three courses in the Master of Science program. If a 3.0 graduate grade point average is achieved in the three courses, full admittance will be granted.  Applicants not possessing a minimum 2.50 grade point average at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree may include all undergraduate coursework from other institutions in the grade point average calculation. If the applicant has a minimum 2.50 grade point average for all undergraduate coursework, the applicant will be granted conditional admittance.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND TRANFER OF CREDIT
Applicants interested in any Master of Science program offered within the School of Computer Science and Engineering should be aware that all courses in the curriculum are required and must be completed at South College. Transfer credits, experiential learning, or advanced placement from another institution’s program are not allowed.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS, STUDENT PROGRESS, AND GRADING
Upon entering any Master of Science program offered within the School of Computer Science and Engineering, students are required to confer with the assigned advisor to map out their course curriculum and requirements for degree completion. Students are also required to meet each quarter with their advisor for progress review and registration approval for the next quarter. If a student voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for reentry is required, and program requirements in effect at that time must be met. The student is required to meet with the Dean  or Associate Dean for approval to reenter the program. Students will only be allowed to be readmitted once unless in the case of mitigating circumstances.

The Dean of the School of Computer Science and Engineering will review each student’s scholastic achievement record at the end of each quarter. The academic standards that must be met by each student are outlined in the Academic Participation section. If a student fails to meet academic standards, the Dean will meet with the student in question.  Depending on the nature of the academic deficiency, the Dean will determine the status of the student’s academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program. The Categories of Academic Standing are:

Good Standing: Status of a student who has met course requirements in a satisfactory manner and has demonstrated good professional behavior.

Probation: Status of a student whose performance in the program has fallen below the minimum stated standards, or who has exhibited unacceptable professional behavior.

Dismissal: Action whereby a student will be dismissed due to failure to adhere to academic standards. Dismissal will occur after review of the student’s academic or professional deficiency by the Dean.

Professional Behavior: For the purposes of this policy, unacceptable professional behavior shall be defined as inappropriate interpersonal communications (either written or verbal) directed towards South College faculty, staff, or fellow students, or actions and demeanor deemed inappropriate by the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Engineering.

The causes of and consequences for receiving a Probation or Dismissal are:

Probation

A student will be placed on probation if his/her cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

1. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.00.
2. A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 at the end of any quarter will receive notification from the Dean of the School of Business & Technology that he/she is on Probation. If the student fails to raise his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be dismissed. If the student raises his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be removed from Probation. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 a second time, he/she will be dismissed.

Dismissal

Action whereby a student will be dismissed due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements.

1. A student has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 at the end of any quarter and then fails to raise his/her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter;
2. A student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 for a second time;
3. A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the South College Academic Honor Code, the South College Standards of Student Conduct, or for unprofessional behavior or criminal activity;

South College reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable and whose continued enrollment is detrimental to him/herself or his/her fellow students or whose presence is disruptive to the learning environment, or the orderly operation of the College.

Following dismissal, a student may appeal the dismissal by providing the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Engineering a written letter of appeal.  If the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed to return to the program for the designed period in a probationary status.  All stipulations of the approved appeal must be met in order for the student to be returned to Good Standing.  Failure to meet appeal stipulations will result in program dismissal. 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In order for a student to graduate from a Master of Science degree program offered within the School of Computer Science and Engineering, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Successfully complete the required quarter credit hours of academic course work.
2. Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework.
3. Achieve a letter grade of “C” or better in all academic courses.
4. Complete all required South College and Program documents in preparation for graduation.
5. Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College.

South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
South College provides computer and Internet access to staff, faculty, and students while on-campus. Online students are required to secure their own access in their personal environments. Developing computer skills is critical to the success of students in the program and in practice. Though not a requirement for admission, students are expected to possess computer skills prior to matriculation. Please see the South College website for information regarding minimum computer requirements.

PROGRAM DESIGN
The MS programs are completed primarily via an asynchronous online format using the learning management system Canvas in order to provide flexibility and to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. An online introduction to the program includes an orientation, a review of students’ roles and responsibilities in an online instructional environment, important information about accessing South College email and Student Portal accounts, and a discussion and review of South College learning resources and student services.

Course materials and assignments emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, research, and student accountability. The program cumulates with a capstone course which provides a unique opportunity for a thorough investigation of an information technology project, incorporating principles of systems analysis and design, networking principles, database programming and management, networking principles, data communications, operating systems, information security, and information technology project management. 

Programs

• Computer Science, AS
• Electrical Engineering Technology, AS
• Information Technology, AS
• Network Administration & Security, AS

• Computer Science, BS
• Cybersecurity, BS
• Information Technology, BS

• Data Science, Certificate

• Computer Science, MS
• Computer Science, MS w/Concentration in Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity, MS
• Data Science, MS
• Information Technology Management, MS
• Information Technology, MS
• Software Engineering, MS

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