D. Abbott Turner College of Business and Computer Science

Columbus State University is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business . Accreditation by AACSB, recognized as the premier accrediting agency of business schools, is the hallmark of excellence in management education.

Mission Statement
Turner College of Business and Computer Science
Columbus State University

The mission of the Turner College of Business and Computer Science is to prepare students to add value to their communities, and to local and regional firms, our students' primary employers.

As a teaching institution serving a highly diverse student population primarily from west central Georgia, the Turner College of Business and Computer Science is committed to:

• emphasizing undergraduate management education;
• offering a small evening MBA program for working professionals;
• attracting and retaining an academically qualified faculty who are committed to student learning and continuous improvement;
• supporting quality teaching, applied research, instructional development, professional service, and business community outreach;
• creating a collegial learning community that promotes the individual growth, ethical development, and global awareness of our students, faculty, and staff.

The Turner College of Business and Computer Science is located in the Center for Commerce and Technology and also serves students through online courses, the River Park campus, West Point, and Ft. Benning.

Undergraduate Programs

The Turner College of Business and Computer Science offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and several Bachelor of Science programs through the TSYS School of Computer Science. In the BBA, the major areas of specialization are:

• accounting,
• finance,
• management information systems,
• management, (including a concentration in Human Resources)
• marketing, and
• general business

With a degree from the Turner College, many jobs are open to graduates. Through post-baccalaureate and graduate coursework, accounting students are able to sit for the CPA exams. Our graduates find jobs in public accounting, financial planning, corporate finance, banking operations, government administration, military contracting and the IRS. The region is home to Fortune 500 financial services firms. In 2007 in Georgia, there were over 65,000 jobs in accounting and finance with average annual salaries between $34,000-76,000. There were over 2 million accounting and finance jobs nationally.

Management, marketing and business administration (general business) were recently identified by CareerBuilder.com as among the most popular majors for college students. Additionally, their report indicates that US average starting salaries in these fields are in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. According to the US Department of Labor, employment growth in these fields is generally expected to be at or above average. Management Information System majors often go into careers in network and systems analysis, data communication and database administration. The November 2007 Monthly Labor Review identified the above-mentioned MIS jobs plus several jobs in Finance as among the fastest growing occupations in the United States. The salaries in both groups were categorized as either "very high" or "high".

Computer science and information technology graduates find jobs in a wide array of jobs including software engineering, application, game, and web programming, network administration and security, and database administration. According to the US Department of Labor, five of the top ten fastest growing occupations are in computer science and information technology. The salaries were categorized as either "very high" or "high". See the Turner College of Business and Computer Science website for more detailed information on careers in these areas.

Student Learning Outcomes

BBA Student Learning Goals: All students receiving a BBA degree from the D. Abbott Turner College of Business and Computer Science should be prepared to demonstrate:

• Proficiency in critical thinking;
• Knowledge of important concepts in key business disciplines;
• An understanding of ethical issues;
• An understanding of global and diversity issues;
• Proficiency in communication;
• Proficiency in information technology; and
• Knowledge in a major field of specialization.

General BBA Degree Program Notes

• At least one-half of the 72 business credit hours required for the BBA must be earned in the Turner College.
• At least one-half of the Area H major hours required must be satisfactorily completed in the Turner College.
• Courses taught at the 1000 or 2000 level at any institution may not be substituted for 3000 or 4000 level courses taught by the Turner College.
• The recommended math sequence for business majors is MATH 1111 (College Algebra) which is normally taken in Area A and MATH 1135 (Applied Calculus) which is normally taken in Area D. Since BUSA 3115 (Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions) has MATH 1125 as the prerequisite, students who did not take MATH 1125 in either Area A or Area D must take MATH 1125 as an Area J elective
• Completion of Areas A and F with grades of "C" or better is required for five of the eight courses in Area G. Pre-Business majors are also required to have a 2.5 average GPA in Area A and F courses before being formally admitted to the Turner College. Students may be granted entry to courses in Area G if they simultaneously enroll in the course(s) they are lacking in Area F with the following exceptions: FINC 3105 may not be attempted without having successfully completed ACCT 2102, and MKTG 3115 may not be attempted without having successfully completed ECON 2106.

All students entering the Turner College of Business and Computer Science with the intention of declaring a business major will be classified as Pre-Business. Before being formally admitted into the Turner College in one of six disciplines (Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, or General Business), Pre-Business students must complete the following courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA and a “C” or higher in each course:

ENGL 1101 and 1102; Area A Math: MATH 1111 College Algebra, MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus, MATH 1125 Applied Calculus, or MATH 1131 Calculus w/Analytical Geometry; ACCT 2101 and 2102; ECON 2105 and 2106; MISM 2115; BUSA 2106.

Pre-Business majors will be advised through the college's Student Services Center or by select faculty. All incoming students, whether new freshmen or transfer students, will be classified as Pre-Business majors until the criteria for admission to the Turner College are met.

Non-Business Majors

Non-business majors may take a limited number of business courses provided they have satisfied the specific course prerequisites. Non-business majors may obtain no more than 25% of their total degree hours in business courses.

Minors Available to Business Majors

Business students may take additional courses to achieve a minor concentration in a field outside of their major. For BBA majors, the "Area I" electives may be utilized to complete a minor in another business discipline. (For minors outside the Turner College, see the "Undergraduate Minors" section of this catalog.) Courses applied to a minor must be in addition to Area H major core course requirements. A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses applied to the business minor.

The following minors are currently available to business majors in the Turner College:

• Accounting: 18 semester hours to include ACCT 2101, ACCT 2102, ACCT 3111, ACCT 3112, ACCT 3125, and ACCT 4141.
• Economics: 18 semester hours to include ECON 2105, ECON 2106, ECON 3136, ECON 3145, ECON 3147, and ECON 3165.
• Finance: 15 semester hours to include FINC 3105, FINC 3115, FINC 3125, FINC 4135, and one other FINC elective.
• Management: 15 semester hours to include MGMT 3115, MGMT 3135, MGMT 4115, and two other MGMT electives.
• Management Information Systems: 18 semester hours to include MISM 2115, MISM 3115, MISM 3125, MISM 4135, MISM 4145, and one other MISM elective.
• Marketing: 15 semester hours to include MKTG 3115, MKTG 3135, MKTG 3136, MKTG 4135 or MKTG 4185, and one other MKTG elective.
• International Business: 15 semester hours to include BUSA 3135, MGMT 4116, MKTG 4145, FINC 3156, and choose one other from the following list: BUSA 3555, MISM 3118, ECON 3165, or POLS 4166.

Other minors offered by the Turner College include:

• Computer Science: 19 semester hours including CPSC 1301, CPSC 1201L, CPSC 1302, CPSC 2108, and nine semester hours of computer science courses at the 3000 level or above.
• Foundations of Business (for non-business majors): 18 semester hours including ACCT 2101, BUSA 2106, ECON 2106, MGMT 3109/3115, MKTG 3109/3115 and one of the following international courses: BUSA 3135, BUSA, 3555, ECON 3165, MGMT 4116 or MKTG 4145. Grade of "C" or better is required for each course.
• Economics (for non-business majors): 18 semester hours to include ECON 2105, ECON 2106, ECON 3136, ECON 3145, ECON 3147, and ECON 3165.

University System Business Transfer Credit

The following courses satisfy the Area F business core for University System of Georgia transfer credit to other member institutions:

• ACCT 2101 and ACCT 2102, Principles of Accounting 1 & 2
• BUSA 2106, The Environment of Business
• MISM 2115, Technological Applications in Business Decision Making
• ECON 2105 and ECON 2106, Principles of Economics 1 & 2

Transfer Students

The Office of the Dean of the Turner College of Business and Computer Science determines the specific credit for work completed at other institutions that will apply toward the BBA. Transfer students should go to the COB Student Services Center to have credits evaluated to determine which credits will be accepted for the BBA. Allowance of transfer credit by the Office of the Registrar does not mean that all credit will be accepted toward a BBA degree. Transfer credit will be accepted from AACSB accredited schools and senior institutions in the Georgia BOR system. Any exceptions must be approved by the discipline coordinator and the appropriate department chair. The following courses will not be awarded transfer credit: BUSA 4185, MISM 4185, FINC 4185, MKTG 4185.

Students Holding a Baccalaureate Degree

Students who wish to work towards a BBA degree and have previously earned a bachelor's degree in a non-business discipline or non-degree seeking students should contact the COB Student Services Center to determine individual requirements.

Internships

Internship opportunities may be available to business and computer science students who meet the prerequisites. Placement in internships is restricted and cannot include an individual's current employment assignment. Approval of the Department Chair and a substantial written proposal are required. An average of nine hours work per week is required. Credit for internships may be applied only as a business elective (Marketing, Management, Finance, MISM, and General Business students see the BUSA 4698 course description; Accounting students see the ACCT 4698 course description) or CPSC 4698.

TSYS School of Computer Science

In conjunction with the Mission Statement of Columbus State University, the TYSY School of Computer Science will serve the educational needs of students of the university in the area of computing and the specific educational needs of the businesses and industries in our community. Computing will continue to play a larger part in the educational experience of each student at Columbus State University, and the School of Computer Science is committed to playing a leadership role in this process. The school will also maintain programs for its majors that are current, viable, and applicable to the computing technologies and the technologies of the present and future. And because we serve the community in which we live, we will maintain contact with the computing entities of our region, and strive to provide the educational opportunities needed to keep those entities viable for the future.

The School of Computer Science is committed to:

• educating students to think critically and creatively in a technological environment
• fostering the highest ideals of ethics, especially pertaining to electronic interaction
• providing the strongest and most current instruction in the areas of computing and technology
• serving to meet the educational needs of the community and region in the areas of computing and technology through collaboration, vision, and foresight
• striving to help Columbus State University meet its commitment to fostering its centers of excellence, especially in the areas of science, mathematics, and technology education and regional economic and community development

The TSYS School of Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree program with concentrations in Computer Systems, Game Programming or Applied Computer Science; a Minor in Computer Science; and a Bachelor of Science degree program in Information Technology; including an online Bachelor of Science degree through the Georgia WebBSIT consortium.

The BS in Computer Science - Systems Track provides the student with skills required to compete in today's computing environment and to be able to adapt to tomorrow. Much effort is expended ensuring that the program is viable and current, focusing on the newer technologies and emphasizing applications of current methods for the design and engineering of software systems.

The BS in Computer Science - Games Track provides students with a thorough understanding of the theory, design and programming techniques required for producing games software. This track equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge for careers in the games and simulation industries. Topics covered include games theory, design and programming; graphics techniques including virtual environments; artificial intelligence techniques; multi-player and Internet games programming; and games specific software tools.

The BS in Computer Science - Applied Track provides student a rigorous education in computer science with particular attention and practice given to mainframe business applications and web programming. This program was initiated by a joint study agreement with the IBM Corporation, and was expanded by funding from the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP). It is particularly geared to the large system computing needs of the companies that dominate the local economy.

The B.S. Information Technology (BSIT) program provides students with a combination of knowledge, hands–on experience, and application of theory to support their employment in the field of Information Technology. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative and communication skills as well as providing a basic foundation in understanding the business process and the role of Information Technology in supporting that process. The (BSIT) is also available online.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates in the BS in CS Systems Track program will:

• be able to use an integrated development environment to code and implement an executable program
• have a basic understanding of theoretical aspects of computer science
• be able to produce a software solution using an object-oriented programming architecture
• be familiar with standard CPU architectures
• understand the major differences among modern programming languages
• be able to analyze, design and implement a solution to real-world scientific or engineering problems
• be familiar with methods used to design and access databases
• be able to demonstrate knowledge of social and ethical impact of computers

Graduates in the BS in CS Games Track program will:

• be able to use an integrated development environment to code and implement an executable program
• have a basic understanding of theoretical aspects of computer science
• be familiar with standard CPU architectures
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the creation of computer-based games: including games design, 2D and 3D graphics programming, games AI, virtual reality and simulation
• determine the requirements for a computer game and design computer game elements
• produce a computer game that meets its requirements
• be aware of current issues in computer gaming
• be able to lead a development team
• be able to demonstrate knowledge of social and ethical impact of computers

Graduates in the BS in CS Applied Track program will:

• be able to use an integrated development environment to code and implement an executable program
• be able to produce a web-based software solution using high-level development tools
• be familiar with standard CPU architectures
• understand the major differences among modern programming languages
• be able to analyze, design and implement a solution to real-world information processing problems
• be familiar with the theory and application of transaction processing
• be familiar with methods used to design and access databases
• be able to demonstrate knowledge of the social and ethical impact of computers

Graduates in the BS in Information Technology (BSIT) program will:

• be able to apply fundamental systems analysis, project management, and end user support concepts to address real–world business problems
• be able to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to develop creative solutions to these problems
• be able apply professional and interpersonal skills to communicate these solutions to both coworkers and management
• understand how the software solution functions as a part of the overall business solution to the problem at hand
• participate in the development and testing of the software designed as a part of this business solution

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of university requirements and a minimum grade of "C" in each computer science course counted towards the major.

Graduate Programs

The Turner College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA), an online MBA through the Georgia WebMBA consortium, the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, and the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a general-purpose management degree that prepares individuals for administrative positions in business, industry, or government. The program accommodates students who have business and non-business baccalaureate degrees. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides the student with a broad understanding of management and its role in a global society. Emphasis is placed upon economics, human behavior, organizations, accounting, communication skills, operations, marketing, finance, management information systems, and their impacts on managerial decision making. The program focuses on the practical application of these tools, techniques, and concepts. Teamwork, the international context of business, and the ethical dimensions of managerial decisions are stressed throughout the program.

MBA Program Goals and Objectives

• Students will develop skill in using the basic analytical tools required by managers, including the fundamental concepts and principles from the various functional areas, in an imaginative, problem-solving capacity.
• Students will develop the ability to make and carry out decisions.
• Students will develop skill in dealing effectively with others, both in oral and written communication, and in a team environment.
• Students will gain an awareness of international, multicultural, ethical, and diversity issues.
• Students will develop an understanding of today's economic, political, and social environments.

Admission

An applicant seeking admission to the MBA program must submit the following:

• An application for the MBA program (available online);
• An official baccalaureate degree transcript from an accredited institution;
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results;
• At least two, with no more than three letters of recommendation from professional sources such as current or former employers, faculty, and business associates. Please use the recommendation form provided at http://mba.columbusstate.edu; and
• A current resume.

Students must demonstrate, through their undergraduate preparation, the following skill sets:

• Computer skills to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet analysis, presentation software, and the use of the internet;
• Mathematics to include algebra, statistics, and basic calculus, and;
• Oral and written communication skills.

Applicants are required to have earned an overall grade point average of no less than 2.5 (on a 4-point scale) in their undergraduate studies for consideration for regular admission to the program.

Columbus State University's GMAT registration code is R64-XW-20.

Only scores from the GMAT or GRE taken within the past five years are accepted. A minimum score of 450 on the GMAT (or equivalent GRE) is required before an application will be considered for regular admission. Students must also meet one of the following guidelines for regular admission to the MBA program:

• (200 x Overall undergraduate grade point average) + GMAT score >= 1000
• (200 x Grade point average for last two years of undergraduate credit) + GMAT score >= 1050
• (200x Overall undergraduate grade point average) + GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative score >= 1460
• (200x Grade point average for last two years of undergraduate credit) + GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative score >= 1510

(Note: The grade point average used in this admissions formula is based on a 4-point scale.)

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency from the TOEFL exam.

MBA students are admitted to the program in either the regular or provisional classification. Regular students have satisfied all program admission requirements. Students who are not admitted to the regular classification may be admitted on a provisional basis. Applicants with a minimum GMAT score of 430 (or GRE equivalent) or other professional/graduate degrees may be considered for provisional admission. Only a limited number of provisional students will be admitted to the program and must show high promise of success in graduate studies. Provisional students must complete the first nine semester hours of graduate study earning a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in the program.

MBA Curriculum

The MBA is a professional degree with no language or thesis requirement; however, case studies, field studies, research projects, and formal papers are required in specific courses. The curriculum is segmented into two cores: the Prerequisite Core and the MBA Core. Individuals with a business baccalaureate degree normally can obtain the MBA by completing the MBA Core. A student not possessing a baccalaureate degree in business will be required to take the MBA Core plus any prerequisites listed in the Prerequisite Core that haven't been satisfied in the applicant's undergraduate program of study. Students enrolled in other graduate programs may be allowed to enroll in MBA courses, provided that they have met the prerequisites or their equivalents.

Prerequisite Core. These courses provide an adequate background for students who have earned non-business baccalaureate degrees. The Prerequisite Core may be completed by CLEP exams for select courses or completing select courses with a “C” or better.

Students in the MBA program are expected to have a working knowledge of computer skills and computer applications as well as math skills. Students having background deficiencies in these areas are expected to remove them by taking the appropriate undergraduate courses.

MBA Core. Required of all MBA students and designed to provide the student with the analytical techniques and managerial concepts to assume positions of administrative responsibility. These are exclusively graduate courses and are open only to MBA students.

Upon completion of the Prerequisite Core, full-time students are able to complete the program in one year (three semesters). Most graduate students will require at least five semesters to complete the MBA Core. The MBA program is a year-round program which includes summer term.

Transfer Credit. A maximum of six hours with a minimum grade of "B" in each course may be accepted for transfer. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Transfer credit will not be used in computing the student's grade point average.

Application for Graduation

Approval of an application for the MBA degree is contingent upon the successful completion of an approved program with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on all MBA courses. All courses used to remove background deficiencies must be completed satisfactorily with a grade of "C" or better. Applications for degree conferral must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar one semester prior to completion of degree requirements. Students have a maximum of six years from the first term of enrollment to complete all MBA degree requirements.

Georgia WebMBA

The Turner College, through the Georgia WebMBA consortium, offers students an opportunity to earn an online, accelerated, AACSB-accredited degree. Our online program provides the same excellent quality and service as our regular program offered on campus. Consisting of ten courses taken two per semester, and no electives, the online program can be completed within five consecutive terms. Up to six credit hours of graduate transfer credit can be approved, provided the courses (1) were taken at a school accredited by AACSB, International, and (2) match specific courses in the college's WebMBA curriculum.

Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is a professional degree with no language or thesis requirement. The curriculum consists of a 15 semester hour leadership core with the choice of two concentrations: Servant Leadership and Human Resource Management.

All graduates in the MS in Organizational Leadership program will be able to:

• Understand the theory and practice of leadership
• Contrast international leadership practices and recognize the necessity to tailor leadership to different environments
• Understand follower behaviors and be able to identify appropriate leader responses.
• Critically analyze and form action plans to address various leadership issues
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication, including interpersonal skills, negotiation skills, and presentation skills.
• Be able to discuss strategic alternatives, environmental analysis and use both to select appropriate strategies

In addition, graduates in the Servant Leadership concentration will be able to:

• Understand the concepts of servant leadership and be able to articulate them clearly
• Demonstrate proficiency in coaching and the use of effective coaching behavior.
• Discuss the process of building a culture of servant leadership and identify appropriate strategies for different organizational environments.
• Critically analyze ethical/moral dilemmas and use a framework to evaluate the issue and recommend ethically sound solutions
• Discuss current issues and trends related to servant leadership.

In addition, graduates in the Human Resource Management concentration will be able to:

• Independently develop and understand how to implement HR planning, recruiting, selection, training, development, appraisal, compensation, benefits, performance management feedback and disciplinary systems in a legal and ethical fashion
• Analyze and solve HR problems and issues
• Use technology to assist in dealing with HR practice and solve HR problems.
• Students should also possess the academic preparation necessary to pass the PHR or SPHR

Admission

An applicant seeking admission to the MSOL program must submit the following:

• An application for the MSOL program (available online);
• An official baccalaureate degree transcript from an accredited institution;
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results;
• At least two, with no more than three letters of recommendation form professional sources such as current or former employers, faculty, and business associates. Please use the recommendation form provided at http://mba.columbusstate.edu; and
• A current resume.

Columbus State University's GMAT registration code is R64-XW-20.

Only scores from the GMAT or GRE taken within the past five years are accepted. Students must meet one of the following guidelines for regular admission to the MBA program:

• (200 x Overall undergraduate grade point average) + GMAT score >= 1000
• (200 x Grade point average for last two years of undergraduate credit) + GMAT score >= 1050
• (200 x Overall undergraduate grade point average) + GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative score >= 1460
• (200 x Grade point average for last two years of undergraduate credit) + GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative score >= 1510

(Note: The grade point average used in this admissions formula is based on a 4-point scale.)

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency from the TOEFL exam.

MSOL students are admitted to the program in either the regular or provisional classification. Regular students have satisfied all program admission requirements. Students who are not admitted to the regular classification may be admitted on a provisional basis. Applicants who come close to meeting the formula listed above, or have other professional/graduate degrees may be considered for provisional admission. Only a limited number of provisional students will be admitted to the program and must show high promise of success in graduate studies. Provisional students must complete the first nine semester hours of graduate study earning a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in the program.

Graduate Programs in TSYS School of Computer Science

The TSYS School of Computer Science offers the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science, with three concentrations: Software Development, Information Assurance, and Modeling & Simulation.. To allow students with different backgrounds to benefit from and be successful in the program, students may also design a program of study without a concentration.

Student Learning Outcomes

All graduates in the MS in Applied CS program will be able to apply techniques and technologies from at least four of the following areas:

• Algorithm Analysis and Design
• Programming Languages
• Database
• Computer Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Computer Networks

In addition graduates in the Information Assurance concentration will:

• understand the major issues of information assurance
• be able to identify threats and vulnerabilities to information systems
• be able to identify data, computer and network exploits
• be able to identify ways to secure information, computers and networks

In addition graduates in the Software Development concentration will:

• be able to produce a software solution using an object-oriented programming architecture
• be able to produce a web-based software solution using high-level development tools
• be able to produce solutions in a distributed and/or enterprise environment

In addition, graduates in the Modeling & Simulation concentration will:

• be able to understand and evaluate different types of simulation paradigms and select an appropriate package for a given simulation problem,
• be able to design and create simulations using simulation packages and/or writing code for a specific problem.
• be able to use computer visualization to help highlight or enhance the analysis of results produced by a simulation.
• be able to produce solutions in a distributed and/or enterprise environment

Admission

Requirements for all applicants for admission into the program for the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science include the following:

1. An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university,
   
   AND
2. A minimum 2.75 undergraduate cumulative GPA,
   
   OR
   
   A minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in the student's undergraduate major,
   
   AND
   
   Significant experience (as judged by the Computer Science School) in industrial software development as documented by a resume and other appropriate documents, including published papers or patents.

Students may be admitted to the program unconditionally or conditionally (provisionally).

Additional requirements for unconditional admission into the MS program include:

1. An undergraduate major in Computer Science, Applied Computer Science, Computer Information Science/Systems, Computer Engineering or other closely related field from an accredited college or university
   
   AND
2. Demonstrated experience in the fundamentals of computer programming and knowledge in the fundamental principles of computer science, as evidenced by either
   1. passing with a grade of "C" or better courses substantially equivalent to CPSC 6106 – Fundamentals of Computer Programming and Data Structures and CPSC 6105 – Fundamental Principles of Computer Science at CSU,
      
      OR
      
      
   2. a score of 50th percentile or higher on the GRE computer science test,
      
      OR
      
      
   3. passing a departmental test of programming competency in data structures

   AND

3. A minimum combined score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Students admitted conditionally to the program must show proficiency in Fundamentals of Computer Programming and Data Structures (CPSC 6106) and Fundamental Principles of Computer Science (CPSC 6105) before being allowed to take any 6*** course for graduate credit in Computer Science. Students who have not taken these courses, either at Columbus State University or at another accredited college or university may "test out" of the courses.

Students admitted conditionally to the program are required to take and obtain the minimum combined score described above on the Graduate Record Examination within the first semester of initial enrollment at Columbus State University.

On-Line Students

The TSYS School of Computer Science offers the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science, with courses available both on campus and on-line. Although there is only a single degree track, it is the intent of the school that a student be able to attain the degree either by taking only on-campus courses, or by taking only on-line courses, or by taking a combination of the two types of courses, as best fits the student's schedule and travel requirements. Each graduate course in Computer Science will be scheduled for on-campus or on-line offering as the student demand requires.

Students who wish to take graduate courses on-line must meet all of the requirements stated above and, in addition, be aware of the following requirements specific to the process of taking courses via distance education.

1. Students must have a personal Internet connection
2. Each student must have a personal computer which is capable of running the required software
3. Students must have the ability to administer their systems, install and configure their own software. No support is provided to help manage personal systems or software. Students must provide personally licensed copies of required software
4. Exams may be computerized. Each student is responsible for locating and arranging an approved proctor to administer all examinations. Approved proctors include supervisors at work and various public officials such as librarians. During a computerized exam, the computer must maintain a continuous Internet connection. Professors of individual courses may have different requirements.

Visit the MS in Applied Computer Science Online Support site, accessible through http://cs.columbusstate.edu. This site has a lot of general information useful to online students. It includes an FAQ page addressing common questions like logging in, technical support, taking course exams, managing your account, contact links, software, hardware, etc.

Graduate Assistantships

All applicants must submit to the Chair of the School of Computer Science

1. A letter of application including a statement of need and commitment and the applicant's reasons for undertaking graduate study.
2. Two letters of recommendation, either from college-level instructors or employers.

Applicants with significant industrial experience are invited, but not required, to include a resume to demonstrate practical experience in software development.

Application for Graduation

Approval of an application for the Master of Science degree in Applied Computer Science is contingent upon the successful completion of an approved program and recommendation for the degree by the Turner College of Business and Computer Science. Applications for degree conferral must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the semester prior to completion of degree requirements.

The following requirements must be met for the completion of the degree program:

• Students must earn a 3.0 grade point average calculated on all graduate work attempted for which letter grades are awarded.
• At least 27 of the hours required for the degree must be earned in the program. A maximum of nine semester hours with no grade lower than "B" may be accepted for transfer. Transfer credit will not be used in computing the student's grade point average.
• All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of first enrollment.
• Any program for the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science must include at least twelve courses (36 semester hours) taken for graduate credit.
• Any program for the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science must include at least six courses (18 semester hours) at the graduate (6000 or above) level.
• Any program for the Master's Degree in Applied Computer Science must include four courses (12 semester hours) in the Core Curriculum.
• Any student who has taken a 5000-level core course for undergraduate credit at CSU will not be required to retake the course and may apply it as a prerequisite as appropriate. The student will not receive graduate credit for the course.
• A student opting for a thesis in Applied Computer Science must take at least six hours of CPSC 6985 – Research and Thesis. Although only six hours of CPSC 6985 may be applied to the Master's Degree, the student is cautioned that successful completion of a thesis may require taking CPSC 6985 more than twice.
• A student who elects the thesis option for the degree may not graduate until a thesis has been produced, approved by the student's thesis committee, and successfully defended in a public presentation.
• A student who changes from the thesis option to the non-thesis option for a degree may not apply any hours taken in CPSC 6985 towards the 36-hour minimum for the degree.

Assessment of Student Learning in the Turner College of Business and Computer Science

Using different but complementary direct measures of student performance in the Turner College of Business and Computer Science provides a robust set of performance data. Reviewed by individual faculty, discipline groups, the College's Assurance of Learning Committee, and administrators, results of these measures are used to make program improvements. In addition to course grades, direct measures of student performance include ETS Major Fields Tests in both Business and Computer Science as well as course-embedded measures such as exams, papers, and presentations that are modified to reveal performance data in ways that course grades might not.