Computer Science and Information Systems, B.S.

The Computer Science and Information Systems major combines theory and practical application of information systems to real-world scenarios. Students gain the skills necessary to succeed in a career in information technology by applying technical skills, business acumen, and soft skills throughout their courses. Computer Science and Information Systems professionals support multiple levels of a business through access, analytics, and synthesis of information thereby giving management an opportunity to make appropriate decisions.

Students applying to the B.S. in Computer Science and Information Systems program are subject to the Undergraduate Admission Requirements.

Program Details:

• Requires 180 QH, including 60 QH of General Education, for completion
• Requires a minimum grade of “C” in program major courses
• Credit by examination and portfolio are accepted for general education and elective credit
• Students are recommended to complete one of the concentrations listed below:
  • Network and Information Security
  • Analytics
  • Coding and Software Development
• Students may also complete a minor and/or additional concentrations, listed below

Minors: 

• Criminal Justice
• English
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Psychology/Human Development
• Science
• Sociology and Anthropology

Concentrations: 

• Entrepreneurship 
• Human Resource Management
• International Management
• Leadership
• Urban and Policy Studies 

Required Courses

Communications - 15QH

ENG 101	Beginning English Composition	5
ENG 201	Intermediate English Composition	5
ENG 203	Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate	5

Humanities and Fine Arts - 15QH

ART 101	Basic Art Appreciation	5
HIS 103	History Across the Globe	5
PHI 107	Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any general education course in humanities or fine arts.

Quantitative Reasoning - 5QH

MTH 101

Introduction to Mathematical Concepts

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any college-level mathematics. 

Physical and Life Sciences - 10QH

One course must have a lab:

SCI 101	Physical Science	5
	and
SCI 102	Survey of Biological Science with Lab	5
	or
SCI 225	Human Impact on Environment	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one course in any physical science and one course in any life science.

Social and Behavioral Sciences - 15QH

ECO 200	Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional	5
	and
HIS 102	Introduction to Political Science	5
	or
SOC 101	Foundational Sociology	5
	or
SOC 222	Culture and Identity	5
	and
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use one economics course substantially equivalent to the NLUs course, one course in any social sciences, and one course in any behavioral sciences. 

Additional General Education Requirements

Students must complete GEN 103 and MTH 102 as well as one of the following course options:

Pathways Students

GEN 210	Think Global-Perspectives from the Field	3 TO 5
BRV 200	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator	5
	or
CAR 215	Career Planning	3
	and
CAR 216	Career Practice	2
BRV 201	Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator: Capstone Challenge	2
	or
CAR 217	Career Application	2

Transfer Students

CAR 202	Creating Professional Identity	2
CAR 203	You the Professional	2

Note: GEN 103 may be waived for on-campus students who (1) enter NLU with an associate’s degree or 90 or more quarter credit hours of transfer credit; and (2) have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or above in their previous undergraduate studies. GEN 210 is required for Pathways students only.

Computer Science and Information Systems Major Requirements - 60QH

Gateway Course

MIS 103

Introduction to Software Applications

5

Core Courses

CSS 200	Introduction to Information Systems	5
CSS 205	Operating Systems	5
CSS 210	Introduction to Networking and Information Security	5
CSS 215	Introduction to Systems Analysis	5
CSS 220	Discrete Structures	5
CSS 225	Introduction to Applied Programming	5
CSS 300	Data Analysis	5
CSS 301	Applied Object-Oriented Programming	5
MIS 433	Developing and Managing Databases	5
MIS 436	Technology Applications in Management	5

Capstone Course

CSS 492

Internship in Computer Science and Information Systems

2 TO 5

Note: CSS 492 must be taken for 5 quarter hours. 

Network and Information Security Concentration - 15QH

MIS 417	Network Management	5
CSS 302	Information Security	5
CSS 400	Advanced Studies in Information Security	5

Analytics Concentration - 15QH

MIS 462	Systems Development Life Cycle	5
CSS 401	Systems for Cloud Computing and Big Data	5
CSS 402	Advanced Studies in Analytics	5

Coding and Software Development Concentration - 15QH

CSS 303	User Interface Development	5
	and
CSS 304	Application Development	5
	and
CSS 403	Advanced Studies in Application Development	5
	or
MIS 424	Developing and Managing Websites	2
	and
CSS 404	Advanced Studies in Web Development	5

Note: Students choosing to complete MIS 424 and CSS 404 must also complete additional 3QH of concentration electives approved by the Program Chair. 

Electives

Choose additional courses to total 180 QH. These hours may be satisfied by completing one of the concentrations listed above.