Mission

The mission of the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at CSUSM is to provide the finest possible academic environment in which to teach, to learn, to appreciate, to apply, and to create computer science and computer information systems. The department is committed to continually keep updated in the most current developments and research in such a changing field as computer science and information systems.

The Computer Science program aims to graduate students whose computer science knowledge and skills include analysis of the effects of different choices of algorithms and data structures; selection of  the right language or hardware system for the task at hand; design, implementation and testing software to meet specific requirements; documentation of software to facilitate software maintenance activities;  independently acquiring new computer-related skills.

The Computer Science Master’s program aims to prepare students with a bachelor’s degree who want to pursue a doctorate and those students who desire to enhance their computer science knowledge and skills by offering them courses that include understanding theoretical foundations and their application; evaluating and comparing different algorithms given a task; conducting independent research in a specific topic in Computer Science; developing a project, presenting and discussing results obtained, and documenting the project; independently acquiring new computer-related skills based on previous knowledge.

The Computer Information Systems program aims to graduate students whose computer information systems knowledge and skills include identifying/integrating/applying knowledge to design and build a system of reasonable complexity that solves a loosely specified business problem; demonstrating effective oral and written communications; writing technical documents like specifications, design and user manuals in appropriate formats;  applying necessary principles and practices of computing and business to complete projects and perform services to meet business objectives; demonstrating self-management and team management; coping with changes in computer systems and business environment.

The department is committed to a learning and scholarly environment in which students acquire a well rounded education not only through the programs, but also through interaction with others throughout the university community. Through these encounters and learning experiences the department encourages the students to develop the capacity to judge wisely not merely in technical matters, but in matters of life and conduct as well. The department is obliged to provide the best possible faculty, in terms of preparation, requirements, and potential, in order to deliver the teaching/learning goals and to contribute the scholarly and creative productivity of the institution.