Courses
Students must earn a total of 120 college credit hours to receive this degree. Of these credit hours, 60 credits are core courses, 42 general education credits, and 18 elective credits. Students must meet their core requirements as well as their general education requirements.
In addition, students must meet the following criteria:
-
- Students enrolled in the undergraduate program must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 to qualify for the BA degree, to remain in good standing, and to graduate.
- The Maximum Time Frame (MTF) for completion of the bachelor’s program is 180 credit hours.
- An undergraduate student may transfer up to 90 credit hours earned at accredited institutions.
- No degree credit is received by an undergraduate for any failing grade (a grade less than D, or 1.00 out of 4.00 grade points).
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CORE REQUIREMENTS (20 Courses)
CMPS 122
Introduction to Programming I
3 Credits
An introductory course in programming, CMPS 122 exposes students to the concepts involved in using higher-level object-oriented programming language. The course will explain the programming process and give students lots of hands-on experience writing small programs during labs.
CMPS 202
Data Structures and Algorithms I
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 122 The objective of this course is introducing algorithms, algorithm complexities, basic data structures, data organizations, sorting and searching algorithms. This course will also focus on the implementation details of the algorithms.
CMPS 211
Computer Networks
3 Credits
An introduction to the design and analysis of computer communication networks. Topics include application layer protocols, Internet protocols, network interfaces, local and wide area networks, wireless networks, bridging and routing, and current topics.
CMPS 222
Programming II
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 122 This course offers a continuation of the programming skills learned in CMPS 112. Students will learn more advanced applications of a programming language through lab work and independent assignments.
CMPS 226
Introduction to Data Science
3 Credits
A first course in data science. Introduces data science as a field, describes the roles and services that various members of the community play and the life cycle of data science projects. Provides an overview of common types of data, where they come from, and the challenges that practitioners face in the modern world of “Big Data.” Provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary mixture of skills that the practice requires.
CMPS 318
Database Management Systems
3 Credits
Main objective is understanding database management systems and creating efficient database schemas according to normalization theory. This course covers E-R modelling, database design, relational databases, SQL, relational languages, query optimization, query processing and XML.
CMPS 320
Computer Forensics
3 Credits
Computer Forensics and Investigation presents principles and techniques of conducting computing investigations. Computer forensics involves obtaining and analyzing digital information for use as evidence in civil, criminal, or administrative cases. Topics include: ethics, current computer forensics tools, digital evidence controls, processing crime and incident scenes, data acquisition, e-mail investigations, and becoming an expert witness. Hands-on experience, using a forensic software package will be part of the course.
CMPS 350
Cyber Security Law
3 Credits
This course will provide a basic introduction to of all aspects of cyber-security including business, policy and procedures, communications security, network security, security management, legal issues, political issues, and technical issues. This serves as the introduction to the cyber security track in electrical and computer engineering department.
ISIT 224
Information Systems Analysis and Design
3 Credits
This course focuses on the techniques and methodologies used in Information Systems Analysis and Design to develop computer systems and applications. Students will learn and practice the four phases: planning, analysis, design, and implementation, which require students to conduct requirement analysis and build blueprints of systems according to operational and organizational technology needs. The course introduces students to the software tools and diagram representations for producing and documenting the process of system analysis and design. Students work individually and as a team to gain knowledge of change management and team collaboration.
ISIT 225
Cloud Computing
3 Credits
The course examines the most important APIs used in the Amazon and Microsoft Cloud, including the techniques for building, deploying, and maintaining machine images and applications. We will learn how to use Cloud as the infrastructure for existing and new services. We will use open source implementations of highly available clustering computational environments. We also learn how to deal with not trivial issues in the Cloud, such as load balancing, caching, distributed transactions, and identity and authorization management. In the process we will also become very familiar with Linux operating system.
ISIT 226
Management Information Systems
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: ISIT 224 Managing information systems has become a task for all levels of managers and all function areas of the business. This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts related to the utilization of information technology in business organizations. It will focus both on technical and managerial aspects of information technology adoption in the organization. Topics such as information technology infrastructure, electronic commerce, information systems and business strategy, ethical issues related to information systems will be covered in class.
ISIT 352
Web Development
3 Credits
This course introduces essential topics of web programming using Java based technologies. Java Servlets and JavaServer Pages will be introduced for understanding basics of web programming. After covering basic topics, Spring Web MVC framework will be introduced for more advanced tasks. JDBC based database operations will be also covered within the scope of this course. Students who successfully complete this course will have the ability of creating database driven dynamic web applications which can generate response to user requests.
ISIT 354
Software Architecture
3 Credits
This course provides students with an introduction to software architecture involving theory foundations, sub-fields, current research status, and practical methods. Students will learn the basic knowledge of software architecture to describe a system's architecture using formal language and innovative styles in developing a system and software application. The course focuses on various aspects of software architecture, such as model representation, component/interface design, architectural frameworks and patterns, and security principles. Students will learn to utilize software architecture for decision-making in choosing strategies, reusing patterns, developing a prototype, and producing documentation.
ISIT 356
Software Quality and Testing
3 Credits
This course provides an elementary introduction to software quality assurance and test. Topics include: Why do software testing? The meaning of black-box testing and white-box testing; Software Testing throughout the Software Process; Software Testing and Extreme Programming; The Automation of Software Testing; Difficulties and Limitations of Software Testing; The Business of Software Testing; Implementing and Automated Testing.
ISIT 357
Content Management Software
3 Credits
This course explores the use of the three most popular open source web-based content management systems— WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal—to create dynamic and flexible websites and landing pages. Participants explore the fundamentals of planning dynamic websites, CMS database management, developing CSS-controlled site templates, and creating database-driven websites through the planning and creation of their own topic- based sites.
ISIT 360
Data Mining
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 226 Data Mining studies algorithms and computational paradigms that allow computers to find patterns and regularities in databases, perform prediction and forecasting, and generally improve their performance through interaction with data. It is currently regarded as the key element of a more general process called Knowledge Discovery that deals with extracting useful knowledge from raw data. The knowledge discovery process includes data selection, cleaning, coding, using different statistical and machine learning techniques, and visualization of the generated structures. The course will cover all these issues and will illustrate the whole process by examples. Special emphasis is on the Machine Learning methods as they provide the real knowledge discovery tools. Important related technologies, as data warehousing and on-line analytical processing (OLAP) will be also discussed. The students will use recent Data Mining software.
ISIT 401
Information Technology Audits & Controls
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: ISIT 226 Management and boards continue to recognize the importance of effectively managing information technology (IT) assets ― to meet business objectives and to thoughtfully manage IT related business risks. This course examines the key principles related to auditing information technology processes and related controls and is designed to meet the increasing needs of audit, compliance, security and risk management professionals.
MATH 110
Introduction to Statistics
3 Credits
This is an introductory statistics course that presents basic statistical concepts and methods in a manner that emphasizes understanding the principles of data collection and analysis rather than theory. Much of the course will be devoted to how statistics affect the business world.
MATH 140
Discrete Mathematics
3 Credits
The aim of the course is to give students the necessary background in discrete mathematical structures. Basic algorithms on discrete structures will be taught.
The purpose of this course is to open awareness to the complexity of ethical decision-making and prepare students to make choices from a standpoint of ethical consciousness. Students will learn to identify ethical problems in their program of study, assess the obligations of stakeholders, formulate arguments for those obligations, and propose feasible solutions to ethical problems. Diversity competence will also be stressed. Assignments, activities, and exams will cultivate reflection, analysis, creativity, and empowerment.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVES (6 Courses)
CMPS 205
Data Structures and Algorithms II
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 202 The objective of this course is to analyze time and space requirements of important algorithms and structures. Various data structures such as stacks, queues, trees and graphs will be introduced and analyzed. This course will also focus on the implementation details of the algorithms.
CMPS 322
Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 202 Machine learning is one of the fastest growing areas of computer science, with far-reaching applications. The aim of this course is to introduce machine learning, and the algorithmic paradigms it offers, in a principled way. The course provides an extensive theoretical account of the fundamental ideas underlying machine learning and the mathematical derivations that transform these principles into practical algorithms. Following a presentation of the basics of the field, the course covers a wide array of central topics that have not been addressed by previous courses. These include a discussion of the computational complexity of learning and the concepts of convexity and stability; important algorithmic paradigms including stochastic gradient descent, neural networks, and structured output learning; and emerging theoretical concepts such as the PAC-Bayes approach and compression-based bounds.
CMPS 310
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
3 Credits
This course covers fundamental concepts and algorithms of artificial intelligence (AI) and its techniques, including search heuristics, knowledge representation, planning, reasoning, and learning to underline the design of intelligent computer systems. Students will learn to implement autonomous mechanisms that fully or partially observe involved factors for automatic decision-making. The course introduces students to various techniques, including search methods, machine learning, natural language processing, robotic mechanisms, and computer vision.
CMPS 426
Bioinformatics
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: MATH 110 This course covers computational techniques for mining the large amount of information produced by recent advances in molecular biology, such as genome sequencing and microarrray technologies. The methods by which computers are used to manipulate and analyze sequences and structures will also be taught. The outline of the course is arranged to give fundamental concepts of bioinformatics to the students.
CMPS 433
Game Programming
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 205 This course will support students the emerging trends, and frameworks of gamification, why it has a great potential to apply in IT projects, and how to use it effectively. The course allows students to develop a set of practical skills in using game elements using industrial case studies. Students will understand practical ways for improving a software development business particularly by understanding ways of creating an effective IT solution and exploring the intangible value in business landscapes. Unity game engine will be used as the development environment.
CMPS 438
Exploratory Data Analytics
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 226 In this course students learn the essential exploratory techniques for summarizing and analyzing data. The course discusses how to install and configure software necessary for a statistical programming environment. It covers practical issues in statistical computing, which includes programming in R and how to use R for effective data analysis. The course covers the plotting systems in R and some of the basic principles of constructing data graphics.
CMPS 477
Image Processing
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 230 This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques in basic digital image processing and their applications to solve real life problems. The topics covered include Digital Image Fundamentals, Image Transforms, Image Enhancement, Restoration and Compression, Morphological Image Processing, Nonlinear Image Processing, and Image Analysis. Application examples are also included.
ISIT 248
Mobile Development
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS122 This course introduces Android operating system for mobile phones and covers advanced topics of Android programming such as web services, multithreading, advanced database applications, multimedia operations, broadcast mechanism and using map services.
ISIT 328
Data Warehouse Design
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 318 This course aim is teaching the data warehouse design. At the end of semester, students will learn database concepts and data warehouse concepts.
ISIT 340
Business Intelligence
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: ISIT 360 This course covers business intelligence concepts and methodologies including the definition of intelligent knowledge and know-how process to gain insight and perspective for businesses.
ISIT 350
Advanced Web Application Design
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: CMPS 122 This course teaches advanced web application design using Java ServerFaces web framework. Understanding managed beans, page navigation rules, expression language, data validation and conversion, AJAX support, application security, building custom components and related topics will be covered within the scope of this course.
ISIT 355
Advanced Mobile Application Development
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: ISIT 248 OR ISIT 350 OR CMPS 222 Technology continues to evolve and provide us with increasingly powerful mobile devices. Thus, applications that can run on a browser must also be written such that they are compatible with mobile devices, the majority of which are now web-enabled. Meanwhile, there is an increasing demand for native applications that can be downloaded to and run on mobile devices. This course will address these trends, teaching you to think about the unique design and deployment issues that must be taken into consideration when developing applications for mobile devices.
ISIT 362
Social Network Analysis
3 Credits
The course presents mathematical methods and computational tools for Social Network Analysis (SNA). SNA was pioneered by sociologist, but recently became an interdisciplinary endeavor with contributions from mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists, economists etc., who brought in many new tools and techniques for network analysis. In this course we will start with basic statistical descriptions of networks, analyze network structure, roles and positions of nodes in networks, connectivity patterns and methods for community detection. In the second part of the course we will discuss processes on networks and practical methods of network visualization.
ISIT 370
Agile Project Management
3 Credits
PREREQUISITE: MGMT 200 This course covers an introduction to agile project management, fundamental principles and practices about agile project development and management.
MGMT 200
Introduction to Project Management
3 Credits
Introduction to Project Management utilizes a simulated team project to manage a project’s life cycle. Emphasis is placed on activity networks, managing resources, and creating control mechanisms that minimize risk. Project leadership is explored in the context of building effective project teams and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
GENERAL ELECTIVES: HUMANITIES
ENGL 121
English Composition I
3
This course is required for students with moderate scores on the BAU English composition test. ENGL 121 develops the student’s ability to organize ideas and use critical thinking skills. The course will also review English grammar and writing mechanics. Students will learn to construct persuasive arguments and critical essays. They will practice personal reflection; analyze literature, film, and journalism; participate in the peer-review and editing processes; and learn about proper use of citations. Course materials may vary by professor.
ENGL 122
English Composition 2
3
PREREQUISITE: ENGL 121 This course is open to students with high scores on the BAU English composition test. ENGL 122 develops the student’s ability to organize ideas and use critical thinking skills. The course will also review English grammar and writing mechanics. Students will learn to construct persuasive arguments and critical essays. They will practice personal reflection; analyze literature, film, and journalism; participate in the peer-review and editing processes; and learn about proper use of citations. Course materials may vary by professor.
ENGL 123
Academic Writing
3
PREREQUISITE: ENGL 122 This course is open to students with high scores on the BAU English composition test, or students who have completed ENGL 121. Academic writing and research abilities are essential for college students and professionals. During this course, students will hone their research skills and complete a short research paper on a subject of their own choice. Throughout the course, students will participate in peer-review, learn to create research paper outlines and drafts, learn to use citations properly, and learn about research and writing resources at BAU and around D.C.
FREN 101
Elementary French 1
3
An introduction to the French language for students with no prior experience. Students will practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking French. Cultural instruction on the Francophone world will also prove a foundational aspect of this course.
FREN 121
Elementary French 2
3
PREREQUISITE: FREN 101 A continuation of the reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities introduced in FREN 101. Students will learn more about Francophone cultures. By the end of this course, students will be able to carry a conversation in French.
SPAN 101
Elementary Spanish 1
3
An introduction to the Spanish language for students with no prior experience. Students will practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish. Cultural instruction on Spain and Latin America will also prove a foundational aspect of this course.
SPAN 121
Elementary Spanish 2
3
PREREQUISITE: SPAN 101 A continuation of the reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities introduced in SPAN 101. Students will learn more about Spanish and Latin American cultures. By the end of this course, students will be able to carry a conversation in Spanish.
TURK 101
Elementary Turkish 1
3
An introduction to the Turkish language for students with no prior experience. Students will practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking Turkish. Instruction on Turkish culture will also prove a foundational aspect of this course.
TURK 121
Elementary Turkish 2
3
PREREQUISITE: TURK 101 A continuation of the reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities introduced in TURK 101. Students will learn more about Turkish culture. By the end of this course, students will be able to carry a basic conversation in Turkish
GENERAL ELECTIVES: MATHEMATICS & SCIENCES
CMPS 110
Introduction to Computer Science
3
This course introduces overview topics in computer science that provide students with core knowledge of the discipline, including theories, practices, and hands-on experiences. The topics begin with fundamental knowledge of information encoding, data storage, and computer architecture that are essential for students to progress to learning digital infrastructures, such as operating systems and computer networks. Students will also learn practical aspects, including data abstractions, algorithms, database systems, computer programming languages, and software development. The course also covers more advanced techniques that enhance processes in computer sciences, such as computer graphics, artificial intelligence, and the theory of computation.
ENVS 105
Introduction to Environmental Science
3
According to the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, 2016 was the warmest year on record. According to NASA, it was the warmest year for the last 125,000 years. How has human activity affected the climate so dramatically? This and other vital questions about pollution, how the environmental system operates, and the interaction between the oceans, the atmosphere, and the land will be addressed in this course.
MATH 103
College Mathematics
3
Mathematical calculations underlie the development of theories, the evaluation of trends, and the assessment of progress in all aspects of society. It will cover linear, quadratic, and simultaneous equations and the graphing of lines, circles, exponential functions, and polynomial functions.
PREREQUISITE: MATH103 OR 2 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA WITH A MINIMUM GRADE OF C This course covers matrix theory and linear algebra, emphasizing topics useful in other disciplines. Linear algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies systems of linear equations and the properties of matrices. The concepts of linear algebra are extremely useful in physics, economics and social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Due to its broad range of applications, linear algebra is one of the most widely taught subjects in college-level mathematics (and increasingly in high school).
GENERAL ELECTIVES: SOCIAL SCIENCES
HIST 166
Atlantic History
3
The accidental encounter of Christopher Columbus and the Taíno in 1492 initiated profound changes for the societies surrounding the Atlantic basin--those of the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This course explores those changes from 1492 through the Age of Revolutions. Students will examine major themes in Atlantic history, including the process of European colonization of the Americas; Amerindian-European interactions; the global political, economic, and socio- cultural effects of the Atlantic slave trade and plantation slavery; and the development of revolutionary movements in Haiti, France, and the future United States.
HIST 168
History of Civilizations
3
This course develops a basic understanding of the history of major world cultures. The course provides a broad picture that deals with the nature and spread of the earliest civilizations in the Ancient Near East and the development of civilization in classical and medieval Europe, concerning their political, social, economic and religious life; focuses on the globalization process of the civilization. The course, therefore, provides an important overview of cultures and meetings between cultures and how these cultures constantly move towards an integrated society.
This course will explore the history of the United States from its origins in the eighteenth century to 9/11. The course will explore topics such as indigenous cultures, colonialism, slavery, and immigration; the Enlightenment and early American democracy; capitalism, plantation labor, and industrialization; abolitionism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; the World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Cold War; and, finally, the effects of 9/11 on American society. Overall, students will leave the course with a firm understanding of the complex dynamics of race, gender, migration, politics, and economics in American society. Students will learn to think critically about primary and secondary sources, including works of writing, art, music, and literature, and will conduct independent research. They will also improve their written and oral communication abilities.
The purpose of this course is to open awareness to the complexity of ethical decision-making and prepare students to make choices from a standpoint of ethical consciousness. Students will learn to identify ethical problems in their program of study, assess the obligations of stakeholders, formulate arguments for those obligations, and propose feasible solutions to ethical problems. Diversity competence will also be stressed. Assignments, activities, and exams will cultivate reflection, analysis, creativity, and empowerment.
COMM 250
Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News
3
Media Literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms, from print to video to the Internet. This course aims at building an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self- expression necessary for citizens of a democracy. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to become competent, critical and literate in all media forms so that they control the interpretation of what they see or hear rather than letting the interpretation control them.
PSYC 101
Introduction to Psychology
3
This course will provide students with an introduction to the key theories of psychology. The course will discuss topics such as neuroscience and cognition; the processes of learning, perception, and memory; language and social behavior; intelligence, personality, and development; and psychopathology.
SOCI 101
Introduction to Sociology
3
In this introductory course, students will learn about the field of Sociology and how it helps us understand our world. We will discuss key themes of sociological study, including inequality, racism and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, age stratification, and culture. Students will also learn about a variety of research methodologies.
UNIV 100
First Year Seminar
1
UNIV 100 helps new students make a successful transition to a university campus, both academically and personally. The course aims to foster a sense of belonging, promote engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life of the university, develop critical thinking skills and help clarify purpose, meaning and direction.
PREREQUISITE: 90 CREDITS Senior Seminar provides an opportunity to reflect on undergraduate experiences and to explore specific post-graduation plans. This course is to help students prepare for job searches, interviews, employment, or graduate studies. Students will create a portfolio of works from their undergraduate studies and create documents for real-life scenarios.