Computer Science
At the undergraduate level, the computer science program offers a minor. In addition, we give credit for prior learning with the Google IT certificate (see below).
Google IT Certificate
LaGrange College will award academic credit to students who have completed the Google IT Certificate.
The American Council on Education validates the labor of the coursework, and recommends that the certificate be valued at 15 credit hours, across five (5) three-credit courses which are position a lower-level in a baccalaureate degree. These courses include:
CSCI 2010 - System Administration
CSCI 2020 - Introduction to Cybersecurity
CSCI 2030 - Network Fundamentals
CSCI 2040 - Introduction to Operating Systems
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
Minor in Computer ScienceCourses
This course is designed as a first course for students who are new to the discipline of computer science. The course aims to equip students with knowledge about careers in the field and skills necessary to understand and solve real-world problems using computational approaches. Students will be given a broad introduction to the fundamental concepts of computer science, including programming, algorithms, data structures, and computer systems.
This course is the first of a series that prepares students for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. In this course, students will be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. Students will also learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service.
This course is a foundational course for students new to the discipline of computer science. It focuses on the principles of problem-solving and the design of algorithms using an object-oriented, high-level programming language. The course covers structured programming concepts, the process of debugging, and the importance of proper documentation. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills to analyze problems and design efficient algorithms to solve them. Topics include variables, input and output, selection, repetition, and object-oriented programming.
This course transitions understanding from working on single computers to maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. In this course, students will learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, functional. Special emphasis is given to cloud infrastructure setups and how to manage cloud resources. Management and configuration of servers and how to use industry tools to manage computers, user information, and user productivity is discussed. Disaster recovery of an IT infrastructure rounds out the content of the course.
This course examines a variety of IT security concepts, tools, and best practices, specifically threats and attacks and how they are presented. Topics of the course include encryption algorithms and their uses, authentication, authorization, and accounting, and network security solutions, ranging from firewalls to Wifi encryption options. Philosophies and best practices for organizational security are integrated throughout the course.
This course transitions understanding from working on single computers to maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. In this course, students will learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, functional. Special emphasis is given to cloud infrastructure setups and how to manage cloud resources. Management and configuration of servers and how to use industry tools to manage computers, user information, and user productivity is discussed. Disaster recovery of an IT infrastructure rounds out the content of the course.
Students will learn about the main components of an operating system and how to perform critical tasks like managing software and users, and configuring hardware.
(1-6 Hours) An opportunity for students to gain added early applied experience and insight in approved off-campus settings. Internships consist of at least 40 working hours per credit hour in areas related to the discipline. Assignments may include selected readings, public presentation, and a final portfolio containing essays, weekly journal, and supporting material. Advisors, program coordinators, department chairs, and the internship coordinator (or designee) must approve the internship before a student begins their work. Internships will be taken as pass/no credit.
This course is a continuation of the CSCI 1990 and delves deeper into the techniques for program design, program style, debugging, and testing, with a focus on larger programs. The course introduces students to algorithmic analysis and the fundamental aspects of string processing, recursion, internal search/sort methods, and data structures while reinforcing object-oriented programming using a high-level language.
Basic logic design, coding, number representation and arithmetic, computer architecture, and computer software.
This course revisits fundamental data structures, including stacks, queues, lists, and trees. It explores the concept of graphs and their real-world applications, and delves into different methods of searching and sorting, both within the internal memory and external storage. Essential aspects of managing computer memory are also addressed.
This course provides an introduction to the architecture of programming languages and addresses the structure of language definitions, various data types and structures, control mechanisms, and the flow of data. The course delves into considerations for run-time, the nature of interpretative languages, and the process of lexical analysis and parsing. It's designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of how programming languages are structured and operate.
This course provides an introduction to the principles and applications of computer networking. Topics include network architecture, protocols, network topology, network security, and recent trends in networking technologies. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and design computer networks.
This course serves as an introduction to the essential mathematical tools used in computer science. The curriculum includes a study of sets, relations, and basic counting techniques. Students will delve into algebra and algorithms, explore graphs, and learn about monoids and machines. The course also covers lattices and Boolean algebras, groups and combinatorics, and provides an introduction to logic and languages.
Introduction to database concepts using SQL and Oracle. Data models, normalization, data description languages, query facilities. File organization, index organization, file security, and data integrity and reliability.
A course in systems software that is largely concerned with operating systems. Topics as process management, device management, and memory management are discussed, as are relevant issues associated with security and protection, networking, and distributed operating systems.
(1-6 Hours) An opportunity for students to gain added applied experience and insight in approved off-campus settings. Internships consist of at least 40 working hours per credit hour in areas related to the discipline. Assignments may include selected readings, public presentation, and a final portfolio containing essays, weekly journal, and supporting material. Advisors, program coordinators, department chairs, and the internship coordinator (or designee) must approve the internship before a student begins their work. Internships will be taken as pass/no credit.
A cumulative experience of the coursework in the computer science program at LaGrange College. Students will complete a capstone project.
