Computer Science
Computer programs improve lives, the function of organizations, and the management of resources. Why step back when you can move the world forward, especially in the field of IT?
At SAU, you'll gain the skills to keep business, government and and society running smooth, secure, and always advancing. Whether you want to design mobile apps or enterprise software solutions, we can prepare you for a successful career.
If you're planning to transfer or complete your computer science degree at SAU, we have a planning guide that maps out your remaining courses.
Our graduates work at Apple Inc., Carleton Life Support, Google, HNI Corporation, Southern Imperial Inc., and many others.
Ambrose Advantages
- Diverse Faculty
- Ethics-Based Computer Science
Our faculty focus on current technology and innovations in computer science, so you'll learn to build technical proficiency, translate theory, and have ample opportunities to apply your skills. We've had students successfully compete and complete highly-selective internships with global IT firms.
Read our Computer Science Fact Sheet (pdf)
More Information on the Computer Science Program
Your studies will concentrate on application development, computer architecture, software engineering, and operating systems.
Courses include programming, data structures, legal and ethical issues, network and data communications, systems analysis and design, web programming, and database management systems. One of our more popular courses is on iPhone app development. Read descriptions of other Computer Science courses
Our internship program gives you quality, hands-on experience. SAU students have worked side-by-side with network and technology experts at a number of regional and national corporations, including the National Security Administration, Deere & Company, Arconic (formerly Alcoa), and Genesis Health Systems. In fact, you will have your pick at regional internships since they often have more available positions than students.
Many students choose to continue their education at SAU with our Master of Science in Information Technology Management. Become proficient in analyzing, creating, and managing information systems for your organization. And with this 4+1 program, you can earn both degrees in five years. It saves you time and tuition!
All SAU computer science programs are strengthened by our CIS Alumni Advisory Council. These 15 alumni are well-established, successful IT professionals and industry leaders from across the country, and they are invested in the university and care about our students. They provide input and feedback on our curriculum and advise us on industry trends, which helps ensure your education is relevant and strong.
Ambrose was recently approved by Facebook to be one of eight schools in the country to offer its Info Security Program. This special topics course focuses on creating new types of anti-hacking code.
Read more about this partnership and then read descriptions of other Computer Science courses.
Earn your master's degree in one year! As a sophomore at SAU, you can apply to the Master of Science in Information Technology Management program that allows you to earn your undergraduate and advanced degree in only five years, saving your time and money. You can earn graduate credits toward the MSITM beginning your junior year; up to 18 graduate credits may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
Computer Science graduates usually work in software and technology industries, filling the roles of network or systems administrator, network engineer, or technician.
You can work in a number of fields, including business, government, education, science, energy, and more!
- Rachel VanderHeiden '98, '00, '03 MBA, is an IT Leader for Deere & Company. "The coaching I received from professors helped me get multiple internships and part-time jobs throughout college."
- Mitch Myers '86, a vice president of customer success at BMC Software in Plano, Texas, is confident the computer science and business classes at SAU helped him "learn how to learn. It was less about specific skills such as programming and more about learning how to think about business and strategies."
- Randy Vogel '87, a Cloud Adoption Leader for IBM, knows the liberal arts background he gained at SAU helped in his success. "My first job was as a programmer, so the different programming classes were extremely valuable – not just for programming, but for problem-solving skills as well. My subsequent roles began to take on leadership responsibilities, so the liberal arts exposure and small class sizes with lots of interaction were key to help me transition from doer to manager."
Kevin Lillis, PhD, Chair and Professor
Gary Monnard, PhD, Professor
Travis Eygabroad, Assistant Professor
Degree Requirements
CIS Department majors/minors must pass CSCI 140, CSCI 195, and CSCI 270 with a C or better.
View Computer Science courses and descriptions in the online course catalog
Required:
CSCI 140 Foundations of Computer Science
CSCI 195 Programming I
CSCI 270 Networks and Data Communications
CSCI 281 Discrete Structures
CSCI 294 Contemporary Programming Topics
CSCI 295 Programming II
CSCI 310 Data Structures
CSCI 435 Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing
Select five courses from:
CSCI 300 Systems Analysis and Design
CSCI 320 Computer Architecture
CSCI 330 Web Programming
CSCI 360 Database Management Systems
CSCI 393 Algorithm Design and Analysis
CSCI 400 Programming Language Concepts
CSCI 410 Operating Systems
MATH 191 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Electives:
Select 9 credits of CSCI at the 200 level or above
CIS Department majors/minors must pass CSCI 140, CSCI 195, and CSCI 270 with a C or better.
Required:
CSCI 140 Foundations of Computer Science
CSCI 195 Programming I
CSCI 270 Networks and Data Communications
CSCI 295 Programming II
CSCI 360 Database Management Systems
One programming course from:
CSCI 294 Contemporary Programming Topics
CSCI 310 Data Structures
CSCI 330 Web Programming
This is the suggested plan of study to graduate in four years with a degree in Computer Science. This plan assumes the student has not satisfied the foreign language requirement (three years of foreign language in high school).
Year One
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| †CSCI 140 Foundations of Comp. Sci. | 3 | † CSCI 195 Programming I | 3 |
| †CSCI 270 Networks & Data Comm | 3 | CSCI 101 Computers in Society | 3 |
| †COMM 129 Intro to Public Speaking | 3 | IL 101 Information Literacy | 1 |
| †ENGL 101 English Composition | 3 | KIN 149 Wellness Concepts | 1 |
| Creative Arts | 3 | PHIL 100-200 Level | 3 |
| Natural Science | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 14 |
Year Two
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSCI 281 Discrete Structures | 3 | *‡CSCI 294 Contemporary Programming Topics | 3 |
| *CSCI 295 Programming II | 3 | *CSCI 310 Data Structures | 3 |
| THEO 100-200 Level | 3 | *CSCI 393 (even years) or Elective, non-CIS (odd years) | 3 |
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | Foreign Language 102 | 3 |
| KIN Activity | 1-2 | Theo, Phil, Catholic Studies, Justice | 3 |
| Elective, non-CIS | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 16-17 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Three
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| *CSCI 300 System Analysis and Design | 3 | *‡CSCI 294 Contemporary Programming Topics | 3 |
| Theo, Phil, Catholic, 300+ level | 3 | *CSCI 393 (if even year) or CSCI 320 (if odd year) | 3 |
| # Humanities | 3 | *CSCI 410 (if even year) or CSCI 400 (if odd year) | 3 |
| WI Course from another dept. | 3 | Electives, non-CIS | 6 |
| Elective, non-CIS | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Four
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| *CSCI 330 | 3 | CSCI 360 Database Management Systems | 3 |
| *WI-CSCI 435 | 3 | CSCI 410 (if even year) or CSCI 400 (if odd year) | 3 |
| # Humanities | 3 | Elective, non-CIS (if even year) or CSCI 320 (if odd year) | 3 |
| Electives, non-CIS | 6 | Electives, non-CIS | 6 |
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 15 |
WI=writing intensive
† CIS Department majors/minors must pass this course with a C or better
‡ This course may be repeated for credit provided the programming language is not repeated
# Must be taken from two different departments
*Needs prerequisite
Scholarships and Grants
St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.
ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships
4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.
OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships
4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.
ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.
Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.
Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
To qualify, you must file a FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15 and you must qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000
There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:
- Fastweb
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Scholarships.com
- Peterson's Award Database
- Scholly (app download)
Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.
Tim Yara '18
Tim is living his dream, but it wasn't always easy. At SAU, he never journeyed alone. He was challenged by faculty to examine every aspect of the computer science field and build new skills, and they supported Tim when he struggled. His holistic education, drive, and academic success led to a highly-exclusive internship in Chicago and a full-time position after he graduated.
Read Tim's storyTimothy Yara
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Network Administration and Computer Network Security,Enterprise Systems Engineer,Class of 2018
Tim is living his dream. It wasn't always easy, but at SAU, he never journeyed alone. Our faculty challenged him to examine every aspect of the field and build new skills, and they supported Tim when he struggled. His holistic education, drive, and academic success led to a highly-exclusive internship in Chicago and post-graduation, a full-time position. He is an enterprise systems engineer for SAP, a leading global software company.
Contact
Kevin Lillis, PhD, Chairperson
Computer and Information Sciences
Ambrose Hall 423
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6429
LillisKevinM@sau.edu