Computer and Information Science, BS

Our CIS curriculum aligns with the recommendations of leading professional computing societies like the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The CIS degree emphasizes teamwork, ethics, professionalism, and written and oral communication skills. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of CIS, the curriculum integrates essential elements from mathematics, statistics, electrical and computer engineering, and business, among other areas.

Your courses will cover essential subjects like algorithm analysis, artificial intelligence, computer architecture, data structures, database management systems, game design, graphics, information systems, networking, operating systems, programming languages, robotics, security, software engineering, web development, and more.

Exactly what courses you take will depend partially on which concentration you choose:

• The Computer Science concentration strengthens your knowledge of how computer systems work and prepares you for positions in embedded and systems programming, graphics and visualization, networks, scientific programming, and web technology, among others.
• The Information Systems concentration covers the design and development of computer information systems. It prepares graduates for positions in database management and applications, enterprise programming, information systems design, systems analysis, web-based information systems, and information engineering, among others.
• The Game Design concentration is for students whose dreams include careers in game programming, user experience design and augmented reality applications. It provides graduates with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to program computer games or virtual user experiences at the professional level.

The Artificial Intelligence concentration helps students understand core concepts and develop key skills for artificial intelligence. It prepares graduates for positions in intelligent system development, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, knowledge engineering, AI-powered analytics, and business intelligence, among others.

At UM-Dearborn, we understand the importance of experiential learning. Many of our CIS courses involve hands-on group projects that provide you with the opportunity to learn from practical situations and prepare for real-world challenges.

You also can get hands-on experience in our co-op education program, which lets you earn a salary and credit hours toward graduation while working full time during alternate semesters or part time during a regular semester. Some of the firms and governmental agencies that participate include Acromag, Apple, Chrysler, DTE Energy, Ford, General Electric, NASA, Nokia, and U.S. Steel. 

Undergraduate students from any college my pursue a minor in Computer and Information Science. The minor requires a minimum of 24 credits of Computer and Information Science courses with at least a 2.0 GPA. 

1. Our graduates will be qualified for employment in Computer and Information Science related fields or other career paths, including industrial, academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, or will be successful graduate students in a program preparing them for such employment.
2. Our graduates will be qualified to lead and participate in culturally diverse and inclusive teams, becoming global and ethical collaborators. 
3. Our graduates will be qualified to participate in continuing professional development through, for example, obtaining continuing education credits, professional registration or certifications, or post-graduate study credits or degrees.

Graduates of the BS in CIS program will have the ability to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions. 
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. 

For information on the number of students enrolled and degrees granted in the BS in Computer and Information Science program, please visit the Enrollment Data and Degrees Awarded page.