Accreditation Information

Program educational objectives

The program educational objectives of the undergraduate computer science program at Western Michigan University are to have graduates:

1. Exhibit knowledge and skills sufficient for continued intellectual growth in computing.
2. Develop mentoring skills and assume project leadership roles in the computing field.
3. Be able to adapt to technological advances and become technical experts in at least one area of computing.
4. Gain an understanding of business and organizational concepts within the computing field.
5. Understand the roles of regulations and guidelines in their area of industry.

Student outcomes

1. An ability to analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
2. 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. An ability to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
5. An ability to function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
6. 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.

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

Program educational objectives

The program educational objectives of the undergraduate cybersecurity program at Western Michigan University are to have graduates:

1. Exhibit knowledge and skills sufficient for continued intellectual growth in cybersecurity.
2. Develop mentoring skills and assume project leadership roles in the field of cybersecurity.
3. Be able to adapt to technological advances and become technical experts in at least one area of cybersecurity.
4. Gain an understanding of business and managerial concepts within the field of cybersecurity.
5. Understand the roles of regulations and guidelines in their area of industry.

Student outcomes

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and 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 security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

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.

Graduate program educational objectives

The primary mission of the Department of Computer Science is the advancement of the field of computer science through teaching, research, and service. Graduate programs objectives to remain actively engaged in this mission are:

• Graduates will be ready to accept expected research and development responsibilities upon employment and be able to independently design and develop computer software systems and products based on sound theoretical principles and solid software development skills.
• Graduates will be aware of and adapt to technological advances through active participation in life-long learning.
• Graduates will exhibit technical communication, collaboration and mentoring skills and assume roles both as team members and as team leaders in research and development in the computing field.
• Graduates will exhibit a reasoned understanding of professional ethics and the roles of regulations and guidelines in the profession, including global cultural awareness and environmental impacts.
• Doctoral graduates will be able to generate knowledge in at least one computer science sub-discipline and be ready to pursue academic and research careers at colleges and universities, as well as with national and international industries and laboratories.

Graduate program assessment

Graduate program assessment plan: M.S. and Ph.D. program student outcomes and assessment plan