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Texas State CS > Departmental Overview > Departmental Goals
Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will have strong technical backgrounds in computer science.
Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will be able to:
1.1.1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, software engineering, computing hardware and computing.
1.1.2. Employ abstractions and algorithms and represent them in computer languages.
1.1.3. Plan systems and processes to meet requirements, including performance requirements.
1.1.4. Construct solutions to problems using computing.
1.1.5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of multiple development environments and multiple common software applications.
1.1.6. Satisfy course requirements for graduate school admission.
1.2.1. Current Student Survey.
1.2.2. College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire.
1.2.3. Alumni survey.
1.2.4. Student course evaluations.
1.2.5. Computer Science course outlines and other course descriptions.
1.2.6. Library allocation in budget.
1.2.7. CS summary report from university's Department of Institutional Research and Planning.
1.2.8. Computer Science Undergraduate course inventory.
1.2.9. Catalog survey of graduate degree-awarding institutions
1.2.10. Numbers of lab workstations with each OS.
1.2.11. Numbers of classes taught using each OS available and each language available.
1.2.12. Number of software packages licensed.
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1.3.1. Students complete courses in discrete mathematics, calculus, software engineering, computing, computing hardware, and a science minor including a number of advanced courses to provide depth as well as breadth.
1.3.2. The department's hiring policy for faculty lends significant weight to its instructional need for having a breadth of faculty expertise.
1.3.3. Library resources appropriate for undergraduate students are appropriated; faculty members are encouraged to submit requests for library acquisitions.
1.3.4. Courses are taught using a variety of hardware platforms, operating systems, and development environments and languages.
1.3.5. Tutors are supplied for core courses.
1.3.6. Lab facilities with software and hardware components are made available, and course assignments that utilize the resources are made.
1.3.7. Open labs and remote access to them are provided.
1.3.8. Software is distributed at cost of reproduction to students under several plans.
1.3.9. Assignments in core courses emphasize programming and design skills and encourage individual problem solving.
1.3.10. Lab exercises in hardware courses require students to design, produce, and test components similar to those in computers and peripherals.
1.3.11. CS course inventory, as listed in the university catalog, is kept current. New courses, reflecting new technologies are added on a timely basis and courses reflecting deprecated technologies are removed.
1.3.12. Students receive timely and accurate advice from departmental and school advisors concerning requirements for the BS program.
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1.4.1. As appropriate, the results of the Alumni survey, College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire, and Current Student Survey are tabulated by the Department staff and provided to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Department Chair, and to the department faculty.
1.4.2. Each year, or more often if needed, the survey results will be discussed within the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee which will then formulate appropriate responses to correct weak areas and build on strengths. On an annual basis, curriculum revisions are presented to and discussed by the entire faculty.
1.4.3. Each semester student course evaluations are reviewed by individual faculty and the Department Chair. Course evaluations of non-tenured faculty are reviewed annually by Senior Faculty and recommendations made to the Department Chair.
1.4.4. Faculty anecdotes and observations are continually shared at the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
1.4.5. Student academic performance profiles reported by the university are tracked each year in the CS Summary from Institutional Research. Results are discussed within the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and presented to entire CS faculty.
1.4.6. Lab usage is tabulated each semester and year-to-year comparisons are made by the CS lab supervisor. Data are forwarded to Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Department Chair.
1.4.7. Course descriptions and outlines are reviewed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee each semester a course is taught.
1.4.8. The library budget for CS is annually reviewed by the Library Committee and a summary is reported to the faculty.
1.4.9. The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee reviews the undergraduate course catalog each Fall for the purpose of updating course descriptions, adding new courses or deleting new courses. Recommendations are solicited from all faculty members. Catalogs from graduate degree-awarding universities are surveyed for entrance requirements.
1.4.10. Each Fall, the Core Curriculum Committee will discuss the results of the CS Data Summary, Lab Usage Report, the Common Final section of CS 2308, anecdotal data from students and faculty, and requests for new courses from faculty. The committee will make recommendations on curriculum changes to the department faculty.
1.4.11. As appropriate, the entire CS faculty will consider recommendations from all departmental committees and then implement changes through the prescribed university procedures.
1.4.12. The Department Chair will continually monitor the Goal 1 assessment methods to assure that implementation follows plan.
1.4.13. Each semester the Department Staff will tabulate the number of classes taught using each OS and language and provide that information to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
1.4.14. Annually the Lab Supervisor will tabulate the number of lab workstations with each OS and provide that information to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
1.4.15. Annually the Department Chair will evaluate the adequacy of lab hardware and software budgets to support the department’s educational objectives.
1.4.16. Each semester the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will review the number of classes taught using each OS and language for adequacy with respect to students experiencing a variety of operating systems and languages. At the same time, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will compare class requirements the latest tabulation of lab workstations with each OS for adequacy of support for teaching objectives.
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Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will have additional specialized skills for employment in computer related fields.
Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will be able to:
2.1.1. Work in teams to analyze, design, and construct projects drawn from practical applications.
2.1.2. Develop and deliver technical presentations.
2.1.3. Produce clear, accurate, and effective written documents related to the software development and documentation process.
2.1.4. Present themselves effectively in the job interview process.
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2.2.1. Sample of group projects in required classes.
2.2.2. Sample of programs assigned in required classes.
2.2.3. Number of oral presentations in required classes.
2.2.4. Number of writing intensive classes required.
2.2.5. Alumni survey (items 16, 18-20, 24-25)
2.2.6. Lists of companies recruiting CS majors on campus
2.2.7. Employment ratio of recent CS graduates
2.2.8. Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) advice and program assessment
2.2.9. College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire
2.2.10. Current Student Survey
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2.3.1. Students must complete required projects courses.
2.3.2. Students must complete non-CS courses in writing and speech communications.
2.3.3. Students must complete CS courses that require them to work in teams.
2.3.4. Students must complete CS courses that require oral presentations.
2.3.5. Students must complete CS courses that require them to produce written technical documents.
2.3.6.The department works closely with the Department of English on scheduling and on coordination of the content of English 3313 - Software Document for Computer Science Majors with the content of CS 3398 - Software Engineering.
2.3.7. Electives are introduced to track CS technology advances and after a trial period, such courses may become part of the regular curriculum.
2.3.8. The IAB is solicited to provide a list of desirable job skills for CS professionals.
2.3.9. The department attempts to hire as many undergraduate CS students to work in the CS labs as the budget allows. Students acquire hands-on skills in software installation, hardware maintenance, and network installation in a variety of operating system environments.
2.3.10. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of interview skill workshops and other interview services provided by the Placement Office.
2.3.11. Faculty write references for CS students and often help outstanding students with industrial contacts.
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2.4.1. As appropriate, the results of the Alumni survey, College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire, and Current Student Survey are tabulated by the Department Staff and provided to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Department Chair, and to the department faculty.
2.4.2. Each year, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will solicit Course Outlines for courses that require programming, projects, writing assignments and oral presentations. The material will be tabulated. In addition, selected samples of projects and programs will be solicited and reviewed for quality. If any courses are not providing the desired skills, the committee will formulate an appropriate response.
2.4.3. Yearly, information on desirable job skills and other advice from the IAB meeting will be passed on to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee from the Department Chair.
2.4.4. The Department Chair and any faculty teaching writing intensive courses or courses requiring oral presentations will review the student course evaluations each year.
2.4.5. Each fall, the department staff will solicit from Career Services a list of companies who have indicated the desire to interview CS majors and a list of actual students hired during the past year. The list will be given to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Department Chair.
2.4.6. As appropriate, any anecdotal information gleaned from the departmental web site email system concerning employment problems/successes will be gathered by the webmaster and forwarded to the department Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Department Chair.
2.4.7. Each year, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will study the various surveys, lists, reports, and anecdotal information and then report its findings and recommendations on curriculum changes to the department faculty.
2.4.8. The entire department faculty will act on the annual recommendations for curriculum changes made by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
2.4.9. The Department Chair will continually monitor the Goal 2 assessment methods to assure that implementation follows plan.
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Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will have a positive image of their undergraduate education.
Graduates with a BS in Computer Science:
3.1.1 Have significant individual interaction with regular faculty.
3.1.2 Have access to high quality laboratory facilities.
3.1.3 Enroll in small-sized classes.
3.1.4 Receive individualized and quality advising.
3.1.5 Perform to their fullest potential.
3.1.6 Participate in alumni activities.
3.1.7 Maintain contact with the university.
3.1.8 Recommend our program to potential students.
3.1.9 Recommend fellow graduates to employers.
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3.2.1 Course Evaluations
3.2.2 Current Student Survey
3.2.3 Chairman's Email Request for Comments/Suggestions to CS Majors
3.2.4 Course Enrollments
3.2.5 The number of companies consistently recruiting our graduates
3.2.6 Alumni survey
3.2.7 College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire
3.2.8 Updates to contact information
3.2.9 Tabulation of lab usage
3.2.10 Computer Science Laboratory Email Box for Concerns/Suggestions
3.2.11 Texas State Administration
3.2.12 Accreditation Visiting Team
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3.3.1 Students are provided with quality advisement from the undergraduate advisor.
3.3.2 Faculty members serve as positive role models for students.
3.3.3 Students will be provided with high quality computer science laboratory facilities.
3.3.4 Students are recognized for their academic achievements and leadership with awards and scholarships.
3.3.5 Upper-division classes are limited to 30 and lower-level classes are kept at reasonable sizes to encourage faculty/student interaction inside and outside of the classroom.
3.3.6 Classes are taught primarily by regular faculty.
3.3.7 Faculty members serve as advisers to Computer Science student societies.
3.3.8 Graduates are encouraged to participate in alumni activities through the alumni office.
3.3.9 Graduates are encouraged to update their contact information through the alumni office and Department of Computer Science web page.
3.3.10 Graduates are encouraged to disseminate information about our program to potential students and employers.
3.3.11 The Department of Computer Science provides tutors for the lower-level core CS courses.
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3.4.1 Course evaluations will be distributed in all CS courses at the end of each semester. The Department Chair and the course instructor review the results. Faculty will respond to constructive suggestions from course evaluations.
3.4.2 Lab usage is tabulated each semester and year-to-year comparisons are made by the CS lab supervisor. Data are forwarded to Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Department Chair.
3.4.3 The Department Chair responds to concerns and suggestions made by students on the annual chairman's survey (Chairman's Email Request for Comments/Suggestions to CS Majors).
3.4.4 Each semester, the enrollments in CS classes are monitored by the Department Chair.
3.4.5 As appropriate, the results of the Alumni survey, College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire, and Current Student Survey are tabulated by the Department Staff and provided to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Department Chair, and to the department faculty.
3.4.6 As appropriate, electronic logs of contact information changes and alumni web site activity are gathered by the webmaster and forwarded to the Department Chair.
3.4.7 Each fall, the department staff will solicit from Career Services a list of companies who have indicated the desire to interview CS majors and a list of actual students hired during the past year. The list will be given to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Department Chair.
3.4.8 The Department Chair will continually monitor the Goal 3 assessment methods to assure that implementation follows plan.
3.4.9 As appropriate, the Lab Supervisor reviews the Computer Science Laboratory Email Box for Concerns/Suggestions and either takes corrective action or elevates to another authority.
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Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will understand the values and requirements of responsible professionalism including the necessity of ethical behavior, the impact of computing technologies on society, appreciation for life-long learning, and the need for professional relationships.
Graduates with a BS in Computer Science will:
4.1.1. Evaluate their ethical standards and principles
4.1.2. Recognize the possibility of conflict between professionally ethical imperatives
4.1.3. Practice proper allocation of credit and collaboration
4.1.4. Appreciate the values of professionalism.
4.1.5. Demonstrate networking with other professionals
4.1.6. Explain the social and technical impact of new technologies and innovations
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4.2.1. New questions on Alumni Survey, College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire, Current Student Survey, or some combination of the above.
4.2.1.1. To what degree did your computer science education at Texas State prepare you to Function on a multi-disciplinary team?
4.2.1.2. To what degree did your computer science education at Texas State help you to understand professional and ethical responsibility?
4.2.1.3. To what degree did your computer science education at Texas State help you to appreciate the need to continue learning after graduation?
4.2.1.4. Do you currently hold membership in a professional organization such as ACM, AWC, IEEE/CS, or UPE?
4.2.1.5. To what degree did your computer science education at Texas State prepare you to make ethical decisions
4.2.1.6. Do you currently hold a professional license or certificate?
4.2.2. Student grades in specific computer science courses:
4.2.2.1. CS 2378E Computer Ethics
4.2.2.2. CS 3339 Computer Architecture
4.2.2.3. CS 3398 Software Engineering
4.2.3 Accreditation Visiting Team
4.2.4 Chairman's Email Request for Comments/Suggestions to CS Majors
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4.3.1. Students will take a course which emphasizes the necessity of ethical behavior, the impact of computing technologies on society, appreciation for life-long learning, and the need for professional relationships.
4.3.2. Students will take courses in which collaboration and relational skills are utilized in group projects.
4.3.3. Students will be encouraged to participate in professional organizations.
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4.4.1. As appropriate, the results of the Alumni survey, College of Science Senior Exit Questionnaire, and Current Student Survey are tabulated by the Department Staff and provided to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, the Department Chair, and to the department faculty.
4.4.2. As appropriate, Department Faculty anecdotes and observations are shared with the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
4.4.3. Each semester, student academic performance in Courses CS 2378E, CS 3339. and CS 3398 is tabulated by the Department Staff and presented to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
4.4.4. Each year, or more often if needed, questionnaire and survey results, anecdotal evidence from faculty and students, and student academic performance in specific courses is considered by the Undergraduate Curriculum committee for the formulation of recommendations for the correction of weaknesses and for initiatives which build on departmental and institutional strengths.
4.4.5. Each year, or more often if needed, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will consider the modifications made matched with assessment results to determine their effect and determine if addition modification is necessary.
4.4.6. Each year, or more often if needed, the Undergraduate Curriculum committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Department faculty.
4.4.7. Each year, or more often if needed, the Department faculty which will consider the questionnaire and survey results and the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee's recommendations and present its own recommendations to the Department Chair for implementation directly or indirectly through the prescribed University procedures.
4.4.8. The Department Chair will continually monitor the Goal 4 assessment methods to assure that implementation follows plan.
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Faculty in Computer Science will enjoy an environment in which they can develop and apply their abilities in teaching, research, and service.
Faculty will:
5.1.1. Have teaching assignments appropriate for their experience and teaching and research interests.
5.1.2. Receive adequate support for their teaching, research and service activities.
5.1.3. Be able to affect their teaching, research, and service environment.
5.1.4. Advance their teaching, research, and service abilities
5.1.5. Exhibit intellectual vitality and currency in their fields.
5.1.6. Demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and service.
5.1.7. Be rewarded for excellence in teaching, research, and service.
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5.2.1 Library budget
5.2.2 Annual Department Chair's evaluations of faculty
5.2.3 Faculty lab budgets
5.2.4 Salary budgets
5.2.5 Travel budget
5.2.6 Course evaluations
5.2.7 Annual Faculty Self-Evaluation
5.2.7.1. Self-study of Computer Science and related fields
5.2.7.1 Journal and other publications
5.2.7.2 Participation in University-sponsored teaching and research enhancement activities.
5.2.7.3 Memberships on departmental, college, and university governing bodies
5.2.7.4 Workshops and conferences attended, on and off campus
5.2.7.5 New course preparations
5.2.7.6 Awards to faculty for teaching and research
5.2.8. Faculty grant budgets
5.2.9. Student course evaluations.
5.2.10. Faculty comments on class schedules
5.2.11. Faculty tenure, promotion, and merit decisions
5.2.12. Release time for research, grants, developmental leaves, and research enhancement grants
5.2.13. Success rates on faculty hiring, tenure, promotion, and merit increments
5.2.14. Average faculty salaries by rank
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5.3.1. Course schedulers will solicit faculty input to teaching assignments and provide opportunity for faculty review and comment on proposed teaching assignment schedules.
5.3.2. The department will encourage a broad rotation of tenured and tenure-track faculty among courses with different subject matter and between graduate and undergraduate courses, in accordance with faculty abilities and teaching and research interests.
5.3.3. The Department Chair will inform faculty of university support for learning new teaching methods, and using new teaching technologies.
5.3.4. The Department Chair will assure that faculty are appraised of university support for research proposal and enhancement activities.
5.3.5. The Department Chair will encourage faculty to participate in faculty governance at the departmental, college, and university levels.
5.3.6. The Department Chair will solicit faculty input regarding needs and satisfaction, will provide "open door" meetings as an avenue for discussing needs and satisfaction, and will represent faculty needs and satisfaction through appropriate administrative channels.
5.3.7. The Department Chair will solicit faculty comments on tenure and promotion policies and procedures. The faculty will consider said comments for incorporation into departmental procedures annually. Items requiring action outside the department will be addressed through the appropriate departmental and university procedures. Resolutions of items of a common interest will be shared with all faculty.
5.3.8. The administration, Department Chair and faculty will encourage and reward excellence in teaching, research, and service through appropriate departmental and university tenure, promotion, and merit processes.
5.3.9. The Department Chair will explain to new faculty the departmental and university tenure, promotion, and merit expectations.
5.3.10. Monthly faculty meetings will provide a forum for discussing needs and satisfaction.
5.3.11. The department will provide grading assistance for teaching.
5.3.12. The department will assign mentors to new faculty.
5.3.13. The department will assist faculty with funding and planning for travel to conferences or workshops and require annual attendance.
5.3.14. The department will encourage publication of faculty research by supporting travel to conferences and providing adequate facilities for research.
5.3.15. The university will provide adequate library facilities and funding
5.3.16. The department will provide adequate office and lab spaces for faculty teaching, research, and service.
5.3.17. The department will provide clean, well-appointed classrooms and teaching laboratories, including appropriate audio-visual aids.
5.3.18. The Department Chair will make annual committee assignments taking into consideration governance workloads, faculty desires, and faculty skills among other considerations.
5.3.19. The department will monitor tenure-track faculty progress and in a timely fashion inform tenure-track faculty of upcoming milestones and needs for course adjustments.
5.3.20. The department will encourage application for research enhancement grants and developmental leaves.
5.3.21. The chair will provide release time for research, grants, and course development
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5.4.1. Library budget will be provided to Library Committee by Department Staff annually.
5.4.2. Anecdotal needs and concerns of faculty are continually gathered by the Department Chair through open door meetings.
5.4.3. Faculty lab, salary, and travel budgets will be gathered annually by Department Staff and provided to Department Chair.
5.4.4. Annual faculty self-evaluations will be distributed and gathered by Department Staff and provided to Department Chair.
5.4.5. Course evaluations will be distributed at the end of each semester and more often for beginning faculty, in accordance with the faculty handbook. They will be collected by Department Staff and provided to the Department Chair.
5.4.6. The Department Chair will annually provide the Personnel Committee with faculty release time for research, grants, and successful research enhancement grants and developmental leave; success rates on faculty hiring, tenure, promotion, and merit increments; and average faculty salaries by rank.
5.4.7. As appropriate, eligible faculty will prepare tenure and promotion packages which will be distributed to appropriate university functionaries and the Personnel Committee.
5.4.8. Library Committee will analyze annual library budget and report results to faculty.
5.4.9. The Department Chair will review individual faculty member performance annually, based on anecdotal evidence, lab, salary, and travel budgets, course evaluations, and annual self-evaluations, and discuss it with individual. As appropriate, Department Chair will take direct action or report issues to the Personnel Committee.
5.4.10. Faculty feedback on teaching assignments will be monitored continually by Department Chair.
5.4.11. Annually, the Personnel Committee will compare faculty release time for research grants, success rates on faculty hiring, tenure, promotion, and merit increments, and average faculty salaries by rank with similar information for comparable institutions.
5.4.12. Annually, the Library Committee will formulate proposed revisions and utilization for library budget and report recommendations to faculty.
5.4.13. As appropriate, the Personnel Committee will act on Department Chair’s analysis of individual faculty members’ extraordinary performance.
5.4.14. As appropriate, the Personnel Committee will act on tenure and promotion packages.
5.4.15. As appropriate, the Personnel Committee will reflect results of comparisons of faculty release time for research grants, success rates on faculty hiring, tenure, promotion, and merit increments, and average faculty salaries by rank, in their decisions on tenure, promotion, and merit increments.
5.4.16. Annually, the Department Faculty will act on proposed revisions and utilization for library budget in a timely manner, reporting results of deliberations to Department Chair.
5.4.17. As appropriate, the Department Chair will act on the Personnel Committee recommendations concerning tenure, promotion, and merit decisions.
5.4.18. As appropriate, the Department Chair will implement faculty resolutions either directly or indirectly through prescribed departmental and university procedures. Resolutions of items of a common interest will be shared with all faculty.
5.4.19. As appropriate, Department Chair will discuss faculty feedback on teaching assignments with Course Scheduler.
5.4.20. As appropriate Department Chair will respond to needs of concerns and faculty directly or indirectly through prescribed departmental and university procedures.
5.4.21. The Department Chair will continually monitor the Goal 5 assessment methods to assure that implementation follows plan.
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Computer Science