Computer Science: The UDC Edge

Located in the heart of the nation’s capitol, the University of the District of Columbia is an affordable and high quality educational option, attentive to your needs and committed to your success. UDC features one of the largest computer science and information technology departments of any university in the D.C. area.

Our program emphasizes hands-on, research-oriented learning. The STEM Center for Research and Development is a valuable resource for computer science students and others in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines seeking research opportunities and an enriched learning environment. You also have the opportunity to use your computer science knowledge on projects in other fields, such as civil engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology (BSCS and BSIT)

The overall mission of the computing programs is to prepare nationally and internationally competitive graduates, at the graduate and baccalaureate levels, in computer science and information technologies to meet the needs of the current and future technology era. Computer Science is the development of computer software; Information Technology is the use of computers and software to manage information.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science enables students to enter the computing profession at a technical – scientific level or to proceed to graduate programs in Computer Science. It is a four-year program with a heavy emphasis on mathematics and the study of algorithmic processes to describe and transform information.

The program objectives and outcomes of our BSCS (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science) program are consistent with the mission of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which is: To provide nationally competitive and fully accredited professional programs at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. These programs enable immediate employment upon graduation or for continuation for advanced level studies in the respective disciplines.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology prepares students for careers in the broadly defined field of information technology. Core courses provide students with sufficient exposure to networking and system administration, web and multimedia content development, programming and application development, including database management systems and web applications, technology integration and deployment in a user community, including needs assessment, user-centered design, technology transfer, and ongoing support. After fulfilling the core course requirements, students can obtain greater depth in several IT areas including network administration, game development or web-database integration.

The program objectives and outcomes of our BSIT (Bachelor of Science in Information Technology) program are consistent with the mission of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, which is: To provide nationally competitive and fully accredited professional programs at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. These programs enable immediate employment upon graduation or for continuation for advanced level studies in the respective disciplines.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives (PEO) of the undergraduate computer science program are broad statements that describe what our graduates are expected to attain. 

Our graduates will have

  1. have become practiced and competitive professionals in computer science, or related application or applied areas; or have entered, if not completed, a graduate program.
  2. continuously improve their technical knowledge and abilities in computing, thus allowing them to adapt to changes in the profession.
  3. continuously maximize the impact of their technical knowledge in their community and in our society.
  4. be professionally ethical at all times.

Computer Science – Student Outcomes

CSIT Department’s programs enable students to achieve, by the time of graduation:

  • An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
  • An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
  • An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
  • An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal
  • An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities
  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society
  • Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
  • An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice
  • An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices
  • An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity

The program is accredited by the Computing  Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. (http://www.abet.org)

Annual Student Enrollment and Gradudation Data

The Office of Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning at the University of the District of Columbia creates UDC Fact Books by collecting students enrollments, graduation, or else annually. Student enrollment and graduation data for the BS in Computer Science and the BS in Information Technology can be found at the university website (shown below).
UDC Fact Books: https://www.udc.edu/irap/fact_books

Program: BS Computer Science
Student enrollment in Fall 2015 73
Number of graduates in AY14-15 10

Related:

Curriculum and Requirements in the UDC Computer Science Program

You must complete a minimum of 122 credit hours of course work to earn the bachelor’s degree in computer science. Topics covered in the computer science curriculum include:

  • Web development
  • Cryptography
  • Visualization
  • Digital forensics
  • Compiler design
  • Multimedia programming and design
  • Database systems design

Download curriculum requirements for computer science majors [PDF]

Download the complete undergraduate course listing [PDF]

In June 2011, thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology received certification from the National Security Agency to issue CNSS certifications for information systems security professionals and senior system managers. To receive the certificate along with your degree, you must complete ten required courses.

Student Organizations and Activities in the UDC Computer Science Program

Every February, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences hosts a week of special events to inspire current and future engineers at UDC. Engineers Week includes lab visits, project presentations, networking opportunities and other events sponsored by student groups and affiliated organizations.

Student groups for computer science students at UDC include:

Faculty Spotlight: UDC Computer Science Program

Dr. Byunggu Yu, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia, where he has taught since 2007. Dr. Yu is director of both the Informatics Lab and the Assurance Research Center for Trusted Information (ARCTIC), which funded by grants from the National Science Foundation. His areas of research interest include databases, information storage and retrieval, data modeling and informatics.

Career Pathways and Prospects

Computer science professionals are in high demand, and a computer science degree from UDC will prepare you for career opportunities in both the private and public sector. You can find UDC School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alumni working at Google, the D.C. Metropolitan Transit Authority, the U.S. Patent Office, NASA, Xerox, Motorola, Northwest Airlines, Cisco, AT&T and the National Institutes of Health, to name a few.

You may also choose to pursue doctoral study at institutions such as Howard University, George Washington University and the University of Maryland.

Contact info:

Byungg Yu, Associate Professor and Department Chair

E: byu@udc.edu | T: 202.274.6278