Program educational objectives
The program educational objectives of the undergraduate computer science program at Western Michigan University are to have graduates:
- Exhibit knowledge and skills sufficient for continued intellectual growth in computing.
- Develop mentoring skills and assume project leadership roles in the computing field.
- Be able to adapt to technological advances and become technical experts in at least one area of computing.
- Gain an understanding of business and organizational concepts within the computing field.
- Understand the roles of regulations and guidelines in their area of industry.
Student outcomes
- An ability to analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- An ability to communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- An ability to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- An ability to function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- An ability to apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
In addition to the discipline specific requirements, students must complete the university general education requirements. Some of these requirements can be met by certain courses required by the program.
Program enrollment and degree data
Program enrollment and degree data for our computer science programs are reported annually by WMU’s Office of Institutional Research.
Academic Year | Total Undergraduate Enrollment | Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded |
2023-24 | 284 | |
2022-23 | 305 | 71 |
2021-22 | 288 | 47 |
2020-21 | 273 | 45 |
2019-20 | 293 | 59 |
2018-19 | 275 | 47 |
2017-18 | 253 | 41 |
2016-17 | 252 | 37 |
2015-16 | 260 | 38 |
2014-15 | 260 | 46 |
2013-14 | 238 | 33 |
2012-13 | 241 | 31 |
2011-12 | 31 |
Industry advisory board
- Dr. Nolen Akerman, B.S.'01, M.S.'04, Ph.D.'15, Data Scientist, First Analytics
- Dr. Ray Davidson, Program Manager, Cyber Civilian Corps, State of Michigan
- Bob Dunning, B.S.'01, Chief Information Officer, Consumers Credit Union
- Mark Gilbert, B.S.'97, Director of Application Development, Arbor Financial Credit Union
- Craig Heilmann, Chief Information Security Office, IBM Consulting
- Ken Hudok, Assistant Vice President Security Strategy and Programs, Jackson Financial Services
- Frederic Jacquelin, Manager of Data Science and Simulation, Blue Arc
- Jessica Newton, Director of Information Technology, Auto-Owners
- Steve Sedore, B.S.'98, Executive Director of Operations, Allegan County (Michigan)
- Spencer VanRoekel, M.A.'94, M.S.'98, Software Engineer, Dematic
- Bruce Weston, B.S.'93, Manager of Information Technology, Basic