SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
- Biological Sciences- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Engineering
- Engineering Management / - Environmental Science
- Mathematical Science
- Physics
- Physical Sciences
- Software Engineering
- Statistics
- Systems Engineering
The School of Science and Computer Engineering (SCE) offers high quality academic degrees consistent with the role of a regional public university. Plans within the school prepare graduates to enter fields in natural sciences, mathematics, computing and computer and software engineering. Individuals in the school's plans are expected to develop skills in problem solving, independent study and critical thinking, and to be able to adapt knowledge to new situations and to the benefit of society. Students in these plans attain a sense of professional values and ethics as well as knowledge and skills relevant to their specific subject area. This sense of professional responsibility is essential if society is to benefit from the interfaces with advanced technology and science.
The school supports research and development directed toward producing new knowledge and identifying additional applications of existing knowledge. Dissemination of scientific knowledge through publications and presentations is encouraged, as well as professional service to local, regional, national and international communities.
The School of Science and Computer Engineering has three divisions; the Division of Computing and Mathematics, the Division of Engineering and the Division of Natural Sciences. The faculty of each division aspires to a professional model that includes balance among the components of the SCE mission: teaching, research and service.
The Division Chair of Computing and Mathematics coordinates the plans in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences and Statistics. The undergraduate degree plans in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems are accredited by the Computer Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
The Division Chair of Engineering coordinates the plans in Computer Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management. Support areas include telecommunications, robotics, control systems, industrial modeling, mathematical modeling and petrochemical processes. The undergraduate degree plan in Computer Systems Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
The Division Chair of Natural Sciences coordinates the plans in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Physical Sciences. Sub-plans or specialization areas include physiology/pre-health, cell/molecular, ecology/microbiology, biotechnology, environmental chemistry, environmental geology, environmental biology, industrial hygiene and safety and technical management. The Chemistry Program has complete accreditation from the American Chemical Society (ACS).
STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
ADMISSION INTO A DEGREE PLAN
Following admission to the university, students' transcript evaluations are forwarded to the Office of Student Advising. Some undergraduate plans and all graduate plans require that faculty admissions committees review the students' files and determine whether students will be accepted into degree plans. Students are notified of their admission status by the associate dean. Once accepted to a degree plan, students meet with academic advisers and faculty who assist students in completing a Candidate Plan of Study (CPS). The CPS delineates specific requirements of a study area and must be completed during the semester of acceptance into a degree plan.
In general, no more than 12 hours of course work for an undergraduate degree and 9 hours for a graduate degree taken at University of Houston-Clear Lake prior to completion of a CPS may be applied toward any degree in the school. These hours, along with the hours accumulated during the semester the CPS is being finalized, will be evaluated for acceptance by the faculty adviser and approved by the associate dean.
REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PLANS
Undergraduate students are required to satisfy the university undergraduate degree requirements described earlier in this catalog. Students pursuing achelor of rts degrees are required to complete a minimum of 123 semester hours, while students pursuing achelor of cience degrees must complete a minimum of 132 semester hours.
Courses noted on the CPS as academic core courses must be completed with a grade of "C-" or better. Some plans may require a grade of "C" or better in courses taken in the academic core.
STANDARDS FOR GRADUATE DEGREES
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required of all students applying for admission to a graduate plan in the school. Computer Information Systems is the only plan that accepts Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in lieu of the GRE. It is recommended that students who apply for admission to a graduate plan have a grade point average (GPA) of atleast 3.000 (four point grade scale) on the last 60 hours of course work. GRE scores will be evaluated by the degree plan's admissions committee and will be used as one of the indicators of the applicant's potential for completion of the plan to which he/she has applied. Individual degree plans may specify additional qualifications (see individual plan descriptions).
All graduate degrees in the School of Science and Computer Engineering require 30-36 hours depending on specific plan requirements, a minimum of 30 hours must be graduate courses. No more than six hours of upper-level credit will be allowed in any master's degree. A maximum of six hours of Independent Study may be applied to any master's degree. A maximum of six hours of grades within the range of "C+," or "C" may be counted toward any graduate degree.
GRADUATE DEGREE OPTIONS
Thesis Option
Students selecting the thesis option must select a committee and submit a formal thesis proposal to the Office of the Dean prior to enrolling for thesis courses. The thesis committee will consist of at least three members, two of whom must be full-time UHCL faculty members. A fulltime faculty member of the School of Science and Computer Engineering will serve as the chair of the committee. The Office of the Dean will notify students, chairs and committee members of approval of the committee composition. The chair will report the final grades.
Students must register for the appropriate thesis research course no later than the first long semester after the dean has accepted the proposal. See the Master's Degree Option: Master's Thesis section of this catalog for more information.
University and SCE guidelines and procedures relating to the graduate thesis committee, thesis proposal, the thesis document and defense are described in the Graduate Thesis Guidelines and Procedures Manual available in the Office of the Dean.
Extended Course Work Option
All graduate plans in the school offering this option require a capstone course. See the particular plan area for the specific extended course work option requirements.
Internship Option
Some plans offer an internship option. See the particular plan of interest.
Research Project Course Option
Some plans offer a research project course option. See the particular plan of interest.
DIVISION OF COMPUTING AND MATHEMATICS
Students desiring to study in the computing sciences may choose any one of five undergraduate or four graduate plans. Applicants should consult the chair of the division for additional information.
Requirements and Standards for Plans in Computing, Mathematical Science and Statistics
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
An SCE admission committee reviews all applications. Students entering any of the undergraduate computing plans should have a cumulative GPA of 2.500 (four-point grade scale) or better in lower-level or transfer courses. Students with a GPA of less than 2.500 are encouraged to provide a written statement or additional material that will assist the admission committee in determining the individual's potential for success in upper-level courses.
Core Requirements
All core courses require a grade of "C-" or better.
Graduate Degree Candidacy
Students seeking graduate degree candidacy should have a bachelor's degree in a related field. To be accepted for degree candidacy, students should be within 15 hours of completing upper-level foundation courses. These courses are listed in the particular degree area in the catalog. All foundation courses must be completed within one calendar year of first graduate registration at UHCL. Students needing more than 15 hours of upper-level foundation courses are encouraged to complete a second bachelor's degree.
UNDERGRADUATE COMPUTING DEGREES
Computer Information Systems (Undergraduate)
The plan in Computer Information Systems leads to a bachelor of science (BS) degree. This plan prepares students to hold technical, administration and management positions in the analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, operation and management of computer-based information systems. It is based on a broad general education and upper-level studies in computer science and other areas related to information systems, such as management, communication and accounting.
The CIS program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake is the only information system program in Texas accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.
Basic Requirements
Students must complete the following courses or their equivalents in preparation for upper-level study:
Accounting / 3 hoursBusiness Calculus or Calculus I / 3-4 hours
*Statistics / 3 hours
*Management Theory and Practice / 3 hours
Economics / 3 hours
Three additional hours of accounting or economics / 3 hours
*Computer Programming in Pascalor Visual Basic / 3 hours
*Computer Programming in C / 3 hours
*Courses available at UHCL.
Core Requirements (39 Hours)
Students must meet these core requirements or approved upper-level substitutes:
CINF 4031 / Telecom Sys Operations / CINF 4234 / Modern Sys Analysis and DesignCINF 3231 / IS Theory & Practice / CINF 4230 / Web App Dev
CINF 4634 / Comp Sys Administration / CINF 4838 / Senior Projects in CIS
CSCI 3134 / Software Dev with Java / CSCI 3331 / Computer Organization &Assembly Language
CSCI 3333 / Data Structures / DSCI 3131 / Quantitative Methods /Mgmt
CSCI 4333 / Design ofData Base Systems / MATH 3331 / Discrete Math
SWEN 4432 / Software Engineering
Lower-level credit given for any of the above courses may require students to take additional approved technical electives to satisfy the plan requirements.
Required Technical Electives (15 Hours)
Business electives (6 hours) Note: The elected courses should not have major overlap with CSCI or CINF courses listed in the student's CPS. For example, ISAM 3331 (Intro. To Business Databases), ISAM 4331 (Internet App in Business) and ISAM 4635 (Analysis & Design of Business Systems) are NOT appropriate business electives for CIS students.CINF/CSCI/CENG/SWEN courses (6 hours)
**A communication course selected from the following:
COMM 3132 Written Communications in Business
COMM 4233 Speech Communication: Theory and Practice
The specific courses beyond the core requirements to be included in the Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) will be selected by students with the approval of the faculty adviser.
**This requirement is in addition to the technical writing course requirement of SCE.
Web Application and E-Commerce Sub-plan
Students interested in developing a sub-plan in web applications and E-commerce should consider the following as electives:
CSCI 4031 / Adv Software Dev with .Net and C# / CINF 4334 / Electronic CommerceComputer Systems and Security Sub-plan
Students interested in developing a sub-plan in computer systems and security should consider the following as electives:
CSCI 4134 / Adv Software Design with Java / CINF/CSCI 4233 / Computer SecurityCSCI 4534 / Operating Systems / CSCI 4132 / Network Protocols
Telecommunications Sub-plan
Students interested in developing a sub-plan in telecommunications should consider the following as electives:
CSCI 4132 / Network Protocols / CENG 4231 / Telecom Switching SystemsCENG 4131 / Telecom Net Devices
Suggested Plan of Study
The following study plan for the four regular semesters is recommended as a typical example for incoming full-time CIS students. Individual study plans may vary as long as the prerequisite structures are satisfied. Students should seek the advice of their assigned faculty adviser and set up their Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) as early as possible.
Semester 1 (15 credits):
CSCI 3333 / Data Structures / CINF 3231 / IS Theory & PracticeMATH 3331 / Discrete Mathematics / CSCI 3134 / Software Dev with Java
Business electives
Semester 2 (15 credits):
CINF 4031 / Telecom Sys Operation / CSCI 3331 / Computer Organization & Assembly LanguageSWEN 4432 / Software Engineering / CSCI 4333 / Design of Database Sys
COMM elective
Semester 3 (15 credits):
CINF 4230 / Web App Develop / CINF 4234 / Modern Systems Analysis and DesignCINF 4634 / Comp Sys Admin / CINF/CSCI/CSEN/SWEN elective
DSCI 3131 / Quant Methods for Mngmt
Semester 4 (12 credits):
CINF 4838 / Senior Projects in CIS / CINF/CSCI/CSEN/SWEN electiveCINF/CSCI/CSEN/SWEN elective / Business elective
Computer Science (Undergraduate)
The plan in Computer Science leads to a achelor of cience (BS) degree. This plan emphasizes the development of the skills and analytical abilities necessary to specify, design and develop computer-based solutions to complex systems problems. Students receive extensive instruction in software and hardware principles; in scientific, industrial and commercial applications; and in the supporting mathematical tools. The curriculum allows students to develop a broad background in computer science areas relating to system and application software development.
The educational objectives of Computer Sciences are that students in the plan shall:
· Receive instruction and demonstrate comprehension in the use of scientific methods as well as mathematics as tools for determining how to proceed in solving problems. This includes instruction in the design and evaluation of tests of computer systems, and higher-order
· Thinking skills such as the analysis of problems and the synthesis of solutions.
· Receive instruction and demonstrate comprehension in analyzing a complex problem and reducing it to a structured algorithm that can be implemented on various computer platforms.
· Receive instruction and demonstrate comprehension in current paradigms of computer software design including structured (top-down design), and object-oriented programming.
· Be proficient in modern programming that support these approaches, such as C, C++, Java and Visual Basic. Usage of programming tools, such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) constitutes part of this instruction.
· Receive instruction and demonstrate comprehension of the support systems for computers: digital circuits, computer architecture and organization, telecommunications and operating systems.