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Computer Science

A discipline concerned with theory and practice, computer science demands the ability to solve problems accurately, creatively and logically through abstract modeling and objective analysis. Computers are indispensable tools in civilization’s crucial fields, including business, education, banking, defense, law enforcement, health care, engineering and transportation, not to mention personal use and the entertainment industry.

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Computer Science

Contact Information

John Jeries
Computer Science Instructor

jjeries@inverhills.edu
651-450-3409
L-304

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

Making sure computers perform at optimum levels requires intensive hands-on experience. Computers and computational process design merge theoretical studies, experimental methods and engineering applications into one discipline. Computer scientists are good at mathematics, solid on their science and adept at building hardware and software. They enjoy their work and have a broad range of lucrative career opportunities.

Computer programmers refine concepts and troubleshoot problems that occur when programs are converted to code. Programming is exceptionally detailed work that requires rewriting, debugging, maintaining and testing software and programs that direct computer tasks. Programmers are typically fluent in several computer languages.

Learn if a career in I.T. or Computer Science is right for you

Information Technology Information Sessions

Interested in learning more about the multitude of opportunities and pathways you have with our IT programs? Sign up to attend this information session to hear more about how we can get you started toward your bachelor's degree or landing a job after finishing your associate's degree.

Degrees

A.S., Computer Science Transfer Pathway – 60 credits

The Computer Science Transfer Pathway A.S. offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Computer Science bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing the pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State Universities* enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

The Computer Science Pathway consists of the Required Pathway Curriculum and select Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requirements to bring your credit total to 60 credits.

*Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Coursework   Program Planning Guide

Computer Science Pathway Curriculum – 22 credits

Course Number Title Credits
ITC 2000 PC Hardware and Software (A+) 3 cr
CS 1110 Computer Science I with Java 3 cr
CS 1119 Computer Programming in C++ 4 cr
CS 2200 Computer Architecture 4 cr
CS 2300 Algorithms and Data Structures 4 cr
CS 2350 Discrete Structures 4 cr
Total Credits: 22

General Education Curriculum – 38 credits

Course Number Title Credits
ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills 4 cr
ENG 1111 OR
ENG 1114 OR
ENG 1130 		Research Writing OR
The Research Paper OR
Writing & Research for the Professions 		2-3 cr
COMM 1100 OR
COMM 1110 OR
COMM 2230 		Interpersonal Communication OR
Public Speaking OR
Small Group Communication 		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3 elective Recommend: PHYS 1081 3-5 cr
MATH 1133 Calculus I 5 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6 elective   3 cr
MnTC Goal 7-10 any course   3 cr
General electives MnTC courses only 9-12 cr
Total Credits: 38

Recommended Elective Courses

Depending on Transfer plans, students may wish to consider taking some/all of the following courses as part of the General electives:

  • MATH 1134 Calculus II
  • PHYS 1081 Calculus Based Physics
  • PHYS 1082 Calculus Based Physics II
  • PHIL 1120 Symbolic Logic

Full-Time Recommended Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: www.inverhills.edu/MnTC

Semester 1 - 15 Credits

Course Number Title Credits
CS 1110 Computer Science I with Java 3 cr
ITC 2000 PC Hardware and Software (A+) 3 cr
ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1, 2) 4 cr
MATH 1133 Calculus I (Goal 4) 5 cr
Total Credits: 15

Semester 2 - 16 Credits

Course Number Title Credits
CS 1119 Computer Programming in C++ 4 cr
COMM 1100 Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1, 7) 3 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6 elective   3 cr
General elective MnTC courses only 3 cr
Total Credits: 16

Semester 3 - 15 Credits

Course Number Title Credits
CS 2200 Computer Architecture 4 cr
MnTC Goal 3 elective   3-5 cr
General electives MnTC courses only 3-5 cr
MnTC Goal 7-10 elective   3 cr
Total Credits: 15

Semester 4 - 14 Credits

Course Number Title Credits
CS 2300 Algorithms and Data Structures 4 cr
CS 2350 Discrete Structures 4 cr
ENG 1111 OR
ENG 1114 OR
ENG 1130 		Research Writing OR
The Research Paper OR
Writing & Research for the Professions 		2-3 cr
General elective MnTC courses only 3-4 cr
Total Credits: 14

A.A.S. Computer Programmer – 60 credits

Graduates of this program are well-prepared in software programming and software engineering abilities to help execute a wide variety of information technology projects.

Coursework   Program Planning Guide

Required Computer Programmer Core – 27 credits

Course Number Title Credits
ITC 2000 PC Hardware & Software (A+) 3 cr
ITC 1480 Linux Essentials 3 cr
CS 1110 Computer Science I with Java 3 cr
CS 1119 Computer Programming with C++ 4 cr
CS 1127 Advanced Java Programming 3 cr
CS 2200 Computer Systems Architecture 4 cr
CS 2300 Algorithms and Data Structures 4 cr
ITC 2480 Administering Linux Servers 3 cr
Total Credits: 27

Program Electives – 13 credits

Course Number Title Credits
Any Computer Science course
MATH 1120 or higher
ITC 2000 or higher
PHIL 1120 Symbolic Logic
Total Credits: 13

General Education Curriculum – 20 credits

Course Number Title Credits
ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills 4 cr
COMM 1100 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr
MATH 1118 OR 1127   4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6 elective   3 cr
General electives MnTC courses only 3 cr
Total Credits: 20
Course Descriptions

CS 1110  Computer Science I with Java   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1110

Introduces students to computer science and programming with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using the Java programming language.

CS 1114  Visual Basic Programming   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1114

Emphasizes the VB controls and the programming interface and environment. Designed for students who are already experienced in an upper level programming language and who desire to learn Visual Basic. Topics include Event-Driven and Object-Oriented Programming, single and multiple forms, controls, properties, coding behaviors for events, writing code modules, adding graphics and database access. Prereq: CS 1110 or CS 1119 or experience in any high-level programming language.

CS 1118  Discrete Structures of Computer Science   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1118

Introduces theoretical concepts of computer science, number systems coding schemes, formal logic, sets and relations, induction, recursion, recurrences, graphs, proofs of program correctness, analysis of algorithms, asymptotic complexity measure at an advanced level. CS 1118 transfers into most 4 year computer science programs. Prereq: CS 1110 or CS 1119 or equivalent, and MATH 1118 or MATH 1127 or equivalent.

CS 1119  Computer Programming with C++   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1119

Introduces computer problem solving using C++ and an object oriented approach. Topics include data types, control structures, I/O streams, functions, arrays, structures, pointers, searching, sorting, and recursion. Designed for those students with no prior programming experience. Prerequisites: MATH 0940 (formerly MATH 0099).

CS 1121  Introduction to Unix   1.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1121

Introduces the Unix operating system using Linux. Topics include Unix shells, entering commands, Unix file systems, system administration, user management and file permissions, Unix editors, file processing, shell programming, Unix utilities, programming tools, X Window system. Emphasis will be placed on how to interact with the Unix shell and basic system administration.

CS 1126  Java Programming   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1126

Introduces object oriented programming using Java. Topics include objects and classes, organizing data, inheritance, graphics and graphical user interfaces, API support. This course is designed for students who are familiar with basic programming concepts including branching, looping, subroutines, and arrays. Prereq: CS 1110 or CS 1119 or any first computer language.

CS 1127  Advanced Java Programming   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1127

Introduces advanced Java programming. Topics include Exception Handling, Multithreading, Multimedia, Files and Streams, JDBC, Servlets, RMI, Networking, Java Utilities package, Collections, JavaBeans. Prereq: CS 1126.

CS 1136  Algorithms and Data Structures with Java   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1136

Introduces procedural and data abstraction. Includes elementary abstract data types including lists, stacks, queues, and their applications. Includes intermediate abstract data types including trees, priority queues, heaps, hash tables, and their applications. Topics also include recursion and Java collections framework. Prereq: CS 1126, and MATH 1118 or MATH 1127.

CS 1500  Database Management Systems   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 1500

Explores issues related to the design, development, and use of computer databases. Topics covered include: database models, database design methodologies, data normalization, SQL instruction, and implementation issues. Students develop databases using several database products, which may include Access and SQL Server. Prereq: ITC 1151, or consent of instructor

CS 2000  Object-Oriented Analysis & Design I   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2000

Provides students with an understanding of the software development process with an emphasis on the requirements and analysis disciplines. Student will gain exposure to an interactive software development process and develop the requirements and analysis artifacts through use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and a visual modeling (CASE) tool. The emphasis of the course is on object-oriented and interactive methods; however, students will also gain exposure to other development methods and structured techniques. Prerequisites: CS 1119 or CS 1126.

CS 2100  Object-Oriented Analysis and Design II   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2100

Extends the concepts and principles from Systems Analysis and Design I. Explores the theoretical and practical aspects of object-oriented design and its related principles. Students will experience first-hand the technical and non-technical issues that can arise with developing design artifacts for a software development project. Students will create a design solution for a software-based system in a team-based development environment. Through implementation and testing, students will validate the design. The course will also investigate emerging topics such as object-oriented patterns and refactoring. Prereq: CS 2000.

CS 2200  Computer System Architecture   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2200

Explore the fundamentals of computer systems architecture as it relates to the execution of a program. This course will examine how memory and processors work and how programming fundamentals take advantage of the computer system architecture. The course will utilize assembly language and other tools to demonstrate the interaction of computer hardware and software.

CS 2250  HTML   1.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2250

Introduces Web page development using HTML. Students will learn to incorporate text, images, formatting, hyperlinks, tables, frames, and forms into Web pages. Not intended to fulfill a programming language prerequisite. Prereq: CS 1100, or consent of instructor

CS 2251  Introduction to XML   3.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2251

Includes XML syntax, Document Type Definition (DTD), schema and parser, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), Document Object Model (DOM), Simple API for XML (SAX), XML Path Language (XPath), and Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL). This course is designed for students who are experienced with HTML and are interested in learning mark up language beyond HTML. Prereq: CS 2250 or equivalent.

CS 2260  Web Design and Development   2.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2260

Teaches students about the design, development, and use of the Internet and World Wide Web. Topics covered include: Internet basics and structure, page authoring languages, user interaction support, establishing servers for others, business and marketing issues. The student will use the techniques to develop an Internet server system. Prereq: CS 2250 or HTML experience.

CS 2270  Interactive Web Development   2.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2270

Teaches students how to develop user interactive products on the World Wide Web. Topics covered include JavaScript client side programming, server side programming database access using IDC/HTX and ASP, COOKIES and SERVLETS. Prereq: CS 2260 and CS 1110 or 1119.

CS 2280  Special Topics in Computer Science   cr

Course Outline for CS 2280

Studies new emerging computer science topics, languages, systems, applications and problem solving approaches. Specific topics and applications will be determined by the instructor and published in the class schedule. Prereq: Dependent upon the topic presented. Prerequisites will be published in the class schedule. This course may be repeated under different topics.

CS 2300  Algorithms and Data Structures   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2300

Introduces procedural and data abstraction. Includes elementary abstract data types including lists, stacks, queues, and their applications. Includes intermediate abstract data types including trees, priority queues, heaps, hash tables, and their applications. Topics also include recursion and graph theory.

CS 2350  Discrete Structures of Computer Science   4.0 cr

Course Outline for CS 2350

Introduces theoretical concepts of computer science, number systems, coding schemes, formal logic, sets and relations, induction, recursion, recurrences, graphs, proofs of program correctness, analysis of algorithms, asymptotic complexity measure at an advanced level.
Transfer Pathways

With this transfer pathway, you will be able to transfer to the following majors:

Meet the Faculty

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Education Credentials

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Employment Information

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for computer programmers in the U.S. to grow 8.3 percent between 2012 and 2022. Combined with a high median salary (more than $75,000 annually), that strong growth makes pursuing a career as a computer programming professional a smart choice if you are considering a career in the computer science field. Computer scientists earn a median salary topping $100,000 a year; BLS projected job growth in the field at 15 percent between 2012 and 2022, or faster than average.

Core skills needed by computer programmers

  1. Troubleshooting: Define and analyze problems
  2. Critical thinking: Develop solutions (algorithms) for problem
  3. Technical prowess: Code computer programs that apply solutions
  4. Debugging: Run tests to show that program solves specified problem
  5. Writing: Detail program specifications in writing

Potential jobs in the computer science and programming fields

Below are just a few examples of possible career paths that can start with earning a Computer Science A.S. or Computer Programmer A.A.S. degree at Inver Hills.

Additional resources

Why Inver Hills?

Completing your computer science or programmer degree obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

  1. Solve complex problems using computers by designing programs and algorithms
  2. Analyze and create new and improved computing systems including business and operating systems
  3. Transfer to top universities and colleges in computer science
  4. Write the code that powers the modern world from video games, to interactive websites, phone apps, and business applications
  5. Express your creativity and unlock the solutions to complex problems through the universal language of computers
  6. Program in advanced languages such as C++, JAVA, HTML, JavaScript, Python, and PHP
  7. Receive an excellent education with one-on-one interactions with computer science faculty
  8. Get hands-on experience working in computer science labs
  9. Save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt *

* On a national scale, student loan debt has mushroomed to $1.2 trillion, which is greater than credit card debt and auto loan debt combined. In Minnesota, the average debt for four-year grads tops $30,000; 70 percent carry a student debt load.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs a little less than $5,300. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.

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