Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science at North Dakota State University offers course work leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in computer science. The B.S. program was the first in the region to be nationally accredited by the Computing Science Accreditation Board, Inc., later to become ABET, Inc.

Background Information

The computer science courses required for the nationally accredited B.S. degree are typically taught by our regular faculty, all of whom hold a Ph.D. degree. As an undergraduate major you are assigned an adviser to help in choosing electives in your particular area of interest. If you have no computer experience, we offer introductory courses for you in the standard curriculum for majors. If you are an advanced undergraduate student, it is possible for you to take graduate courses while you are completing your undergraduate program. An extensive and varied set of elective courses in every aspect of computer science is available as well.

The Program

We offer the most comprehensive and varied computer science program in the region. In the core courses required of all majors you are offered an opportunity to study concepts, applications and implementation techniques which provide a broad and practical base both for further study and for a career in computing. Through advanced undergraduate and graduate courses you have an opportunity for an in-depth study of topics such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, computer graphics, system simulation, computer communication networks, multimedia, operating systems and database management systems. The department is expanding offerings in software engineering, information assurance, and bioinformatics. You are encouraged to choose courses from related areas, such as business, economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research and statistics to broaden your program of study. A senior capstone experience which integrates multiple areas in computer science is required, and provides an opportunity to add maturity to the computer science skill set before graduation.

Career Opportunities

Many exciting activities of the last 30 years have involved computer science—from the space shuttle, to the Olympics, to efforts to save the world's rain forests. Computer scientists choose jobs in business, industry, teaching, research, agriculture, energy and other areas. They work in systems analysis, management information processing, databases, software systems, operating systems, process control systems, automation systems, simulation models, new computer design and development or management.

According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, software engineers, network systems and data communication analysts, computer scientists and database administrators are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2013. Employment of these computer specialists is expected to increase much faster than average. Money Magazine has rated systems analyst as the most desirable job in the United States.

As an undergraduate you will find many opportunities to work part-time as a research assistant on campus, or as an intern with a local business.

Graduates of our department have recently accepted employment in major national businesses and industries including Hewlett-Packard, IBM, AT&T, CISCO Systems, Oracle, Echelon, Cargill, SGI, Microsoft, Digikey, Phoenix International, and Thompson Reuters. Many have chosen positions in North Dakota and adjoining states. There is a large and growing need for computer professionals in North Dakota.

During the final semester of their senior year, CS students take part in a Capstone program. The objective of the Capstone program is to provide the students with an experience that brings together the technical knowledge that they have acquired, as well as to gain valuable teamwork skills. This is accomplished by working in small teams on "real life" projects. Capstone projects are done in conjunction with corporate, industrial or government clients/sponsors. Some of our recent sponsors have been 3M, Appareo, ATK, CNSE, IBM Microsoft, NISC, Noridian, Phoenix International, Polaris, Rockwell Collins, Sundog, Thomson Reuters, and West Corp.

The Facilities

The department is located in the Industrial Agriculture Communications Center along with Information Technology Services. Students have free access to a wide range of computer systems. All students have free access to full-function Internet and World Wide Web facilities.

Equipment includes clusters of UNIX workstations; high-end microcomputers; Power Macs; and peripheral equipment including digitizers, plotters and laser printers. The department and the University have assumed a leadership role in computer networking through the acquisition and implementation of high-bandwidth network switches on campus. The University also has entered into a six-state consortium for extremely high level networking in the Upper Midwest and connectivity to the National Science Foundation supercomputer centers. We also are a charter member of Internet 2 and have connectivity to the national VBNS research network. Residence halls are wired for the campus network, making it easy for students with computers to access remote information for course work and various investigations. The department maintains a Web server with class assignments and other information which is accessed by thousands of users each day. The University provides more than 500 microcomputers for student use.

High School Preparation

You should have the basic college preparatory courses. Courses which develop the ability to think logically, to organize and to analyze are especially recommended (e.g., algebra, geometry, trigonometry).

The Faculty

• Anne Denton, Ph.D., University of Maine
• Hyunsook Do, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• Xiaojiang (James) Du, Ph.D., University of Maryland
• Wei Jin, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, New York
• Tariq King, Ph.D., Florida International University
• Jun Kong, Ph.D., University of Texas, Dallas
• Dean Knudson, Ph.D., Northwestern University
• Juan Li, Ph.D., University of British Columbia
• Ken Magel, Ph.D., Brown University
• John Martin, Ph.D., Rice University
• Ken Nygard, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute
• Bill Perrizo, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
• Brian Slator, Ph.D., New Mexico State University
• Vasant Ubhaya, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley
• Gursimran Walia, Ph.D., Mississippi State University
• Changhui Yan, Ph.D., Iowa State University
• Weiyi Zhang, Ph.D., Arizona State University

The Adjunct Faculty

• Noel Anderson, Ph.D., Iowa State University, Phoenix International Corporation
• Greg Wettstein, Ph.D., NDSU, Center for High Performance Computing
• Dianxiang Xu, Ph.D., Nanjing University

The Emeritus Faculty

• D. Bruce Erickson, Ph.D., Yale University
• Robert C. Gammill, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Dana Johnson, University of Denver

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Brian Slator, Chair
Department of Computer Science

North Dakota State University
IACC 258
Dept. #2740
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8197
Fax: (701) 231-8255
Email:Brian.Slator@ndsu.edu
Web: www.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)