Computer and Information Sciences
Office:150 Houghton Hall
(716) 673-4820
Robert Rogers, Interim Chairperson
Email: csit@fredonia.edu
Website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/computer-information-sciences
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences provides its majors with contemporary quality education in computer science and computer information systems with an assortment of scientific and business applications including many courses in information technology. The department offers two Bachelor of Science degrees. One degree is in Computer Science and the other degree is in Computer Information Systems (CIS). A minor in Computer Science, a minor in Computer Information Systems, and a minor in Web Programming are also available which are useful in enhancing the marketability of students. At the graduate level, the department offers an online Advanced Certificate in Cyber Security.
The Computer Science degree focuses on a traditional computer science discipline with applications in scientific problem-solving and software development. The Computer Information Systems degree is geared toward commercial computer-based information processing, management and administrative applications. The CS and CIS degrees prepare students for the future by providing a study of the current state of computers and information sciences embedded within a well-rounded liberal arts education. As a Computer Science or a Computer Information Systems major at Fredonia, a student may select a program that suits his/her career objectives and academic goals. The graduates of these programs gain competence in current hardware, software and computing applications in various segments of the industry.
The department has extensive experience in offering online courses. Many of these courses are offered during summer and inter-sessions and students may take them while they are working or have returned home for the holidays. For additional information, students should contact the chairperson of the department.
Scholarships available to students in Computer and Information Sciences include the John Beck Scholarship, Arthur R. Maytum, Debbie J. Joy and the Feng Chiang Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded annually on the recommendation of the computer and information sciences faculty.
Double Major
Students may double major in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems by completing all requirements for both majors (credit hours from courses within the list of courses of the second major cannot be used to satisfy requirements in the first major.
Internships and Employment Opportunities
Experiential learning is encouraged through internships. Internships are designed as a way to develop knowledge and gain experience with computers and information technology in a job setting. Recently, students have successfully completed internships at AL Tech Specialty Steel, Buffalo General Hospital, Chemical Process Corporation, Cott Beverages, Cummins Engine, General Dynamics, Lockheed-Martin, Brooks Memorial Hospital, Noyes Hospital, NASA, Paychex, and the Dunkirk and Fredonia Telephone Company. Several internships pay honoraria or wages. Every semester the department hires approximately 10 laboratory proctors to manage its Computer Science (CS) Lab. Many other opportunities exist across campus for students to earn money as tutors, work study, or computer laboratory assistants.
Computer Laboratories and Equipment
The department manages its own open access laboratory (CS Lab 115 Fenton Hall) and has classes scheduled in three other laboratories in Houghton Hall and one in Thompson Hall. The CS Lab is maintained by a systems administrator and a staff of student proctors from the Computer and Information Sciences Department. The main equipment in the lab consists of a cluster of 23 Intel-based workstations running MS-Windows. A Linux-based cluster of servers connected to a high-speed network provides access to various Linux apps and frameworks. Popular software development tools such as Alice, Blender, C, C++, Java, Python, Visual BASIC, ARTIS, Open GL and other utilities are available, in addition to standard Microsoft software packages such as Office and Visual Studio. The department has recently added new labs including Multimedia and Virtual Reality labs(259 Houghton), Computer Teaching lab (260 Houghton), OS, Network and Security labs (258 Houghton) and Robotics lab (224 Houghton). All of these facilities are dedicated to supporting instruction in the Computer and Information Sciences programs. There are also several other microcomputer laboratories on campus. The department upgrades its laboratory equipment regularly.
Faculty and Student Research and Scholarship
The Computer and Information Sciences faculty and majors are actively involved in various research activities such as participating in international, national, and regional conferences, workshops and seminars, and publishing their work in well-known journals and proceedings. With the cooperation of the Computer Science Club, the department runs joint faculty and student colloquia. Several students have won research paper competitions, and teams have successfully competed in regional programming competitions. Current areas of faculty and student research are smart city and LoT, network applications, image processing, pattern recognition, machine learning, computer graphics, data compression, multimedia, performance analysis and bench-marking, automated performance tuning, embedded processor applications, computer science education, and interdisciplinary applications.