Is the bachelor's in Computer Systems program for me?
Information is the core of our economy and a vital part of our everyday lives. Are you interested in learning how to protect
that information, or how to design, build and manage the networks that carry that information around the world? People with
these critical abilities are in great demand. Our B.S.C.S. is a perfect way to gain these competitive skills. You'll also receive
the hands-on, practical training you need from experienced practitioners. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to join one of the
fastest growing occupations or move on to a master's level program.
What will I learn in the bachelor's in Computer Systems program?
As a CityU student, you’ll discover the ways in which people and computers work together, in particular the processes developed to integrate technology into the workplace. Along with information technology ethics, our faculty will focus on teaching core computer technologies, which include operating systems, networking, programming, web design and security. You’ll also highlight on manipulating data from acquisition and storage to communications and display.
Our programs also are based upon certificate programs for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified
Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
The educational objectives of this program are as follows and will prepare you to:
- Successfully compete as professionals throughout careers in information technology.
- Effectively evaluate, integrate and implement technology products and systems in a global environment.
- Appropriately integrate state of the art technologies to meet business requirements.
- Effectively contribute as a technical member or leader of a multi-functional team.
- Communicate well with both technical and business partners orally and in writing.
- Engage in life-long learning, remain current in their field, and uphold high ethical standards.
What can I do with my bachelor's degree in Computer Systems?
Depending on the route you take, your B.S.C.S. degree will allow you to apply for positions as an information security specialist or manager,
systems integrator, software tester, network operator, network manager or network designer. You also may qualify to become an industry practitioner.
Why the International College at CityU?
- Because you want an education that's relevant to what's happening in the real world, right now.
- Our faculty teach what they do for a living, not just what's in the book. They're smart, successful people who can help you get there, too.
The Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) Program of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) has certified that
City University of Seattle Information Security course of study meets the National Training Standard for Information Systems Security
(INFOSEC) Professionals, NSTISSI No. 4011 (valid through June 2017). Students completing the program will receive a certificate
documenting their completion of the CNSS recognized program.
Total Required Credits: 180
Lower-Division Requirements: 90
Foundation: 38
OR 101
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OR 102
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OR 103
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ENG 100
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ENG 101
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ENG 102
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MTH 110
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MATH 138
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HUM 150
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SCI 215
This course explores environmental change on a global scale, emphasizing the fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and ecology as applied to contemporary concerns. Environmental issues impacting more than two dozen countries are illustrated in order to develop an international perspective on the environmental challenges facing our planet.
Pre-Major: 52
MATH 141
This course covers a review of algebra and geometry; linear, quadratic, and polynomial functions and their graphs; exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of equations and inequalities; linear programming; and sequences, sets, counting, permutations, combinations, and probability. Emphasis is placed on the development of necessary mathematical skills needed for upper division coursework. Students needing math for GE purposes only should consider MATH 107 or MATH 138 instead of MATH 141. Prerequisite: MATH 138.
IS 201
This course is designed to provide an overview of the fundamentals of computing. Emphasis is placed on the five basic areas of Information Technology (IT): applications, platforms, development, data, and communication. Students will develop their understanding of basic IT concepts, and delve into Information Technology planning and analysis through practical application of current techniques and tools for building a website.
MG 201
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Choose one of the following:
OR 104
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MG 291
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AC 215
This course emphasizes the preparation and recording of accounting information and is intended for students majoring in accounting. Students will learn about of the accounting cycle, the measuring process and the classification of data, and the accounting terminology that is essential to the preparation and effective use of financial principles that apply to statements. This course introduces basic accounting concepts and techniques; fundamentals of the accounting process and preparation of basic financial statements; accounting principles involved in the measurement and reporting of assets and liabilities; elements of consolidated statements and statement of cash flows; and using and interpreting financial statements for decision-making. Prerequisite: Strong math and algebra skills in addition to logical thinking are required to succeed in this course.
SSC 220
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SSC 211
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MG 491
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BSM 485
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Elective (10)
Elective coursework in Management of other foundation field
Undergraduate Core: 50
BC 301
The critical thinking process is used to analyze today's issues and aid the student in identifying rational solutions. Topics examined include: argument analyzing and building; forms and standards of critical thinking; and evaluating sources of information.
IS 306
This course develops student understanding of a model of Information Systems composed of data acquisition, data transport, data manipulation, data storage and data display. The use of data to develop business intelligence, competitive advantage, and support business operations through lean supply chains, delivery, and oversight has become an increasingly critical component in business success. Students will learn how modern computer systems work with data across multiple systems to deliver relevant time critical information to managers and workers. Students will gain an insight into networked communications in support of business operations. This course prepares the student for working with data in a modern highly connected organization anywhere in the world.
CS 302
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IS 312
This course introduces students to the strategic importance of web design and teaches students to apply standards such as XHTML and CSS, to use web development tools, and to apply principles of web design to create effective business-driven websites. The major focus is on the display of data and information to end-users. The course emphasizes a business-driven design, build, test cycle, and introduces students to the fusion of multiple data sources into a website. The past, present, and future of web technology is also covered. The course builds on concepts from IS 306 and provides the foundation for programming in IS 410. Prerequisite: IS 306.
IS 410
This course provides an introduction to programming and explores the concepts, principles, and skills of programming including data structures, algorithms, and problem solving using JavaScript and Ruby languages. Emphasis is placed on programming within a web environment. Students will also study the nature and demands of programming careers. The course concludes with student project teams building a working programming project. At the end of the course, the student will have a solid foundation for more advanced programming concepts and challenges. Prerequisite: IS 312.
IS 350
This course examines systems analysis and design using the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) as a foundation. The concepts include data, process, and network modeling along with frameworks such as the Zachman Framework and The Open Group Architectural Framework (TOGAF). Object technologies will be built into the program along with design patterns. Several exercises and hands-on activities reinforce the design of a system covered in the course. Prerequisites: IS 320.
CS 481
This course examines the tools, processes and procedures used to secure computer networks. The course reviews network vulnerabilities, common attack vectors, and methods for preventing, detecting and minimizing the effects of network attacks using such tools as Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems. Students completing this course will have an understanding of how to secure and defend networks. Prerequisites: IS 308 or CS 330 and 332.
IS 340
This course examines basic operating system concepts and principles. The concepts include Operating Systems components, architecture, and management. Operating system management will examine process, memory, storage, and security management. Several exercises and hands-on activity reinforce the concepts and principles covered in the course. Prerequisites: IS 201, IS 305, and IS 320.
IS 470
This course focuses on Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) best practices as defined by Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM). Emphasis is placed on ITSM drivers of processes and strategies to create a viable Information Technology (IT) organization. Students will learn the foundation, values, strategies and operations of ITSM. Several exercises and hands on activities will focus on service support and service delivery. Prerequisites: IS 330, IS 350.
IS 471
To change to recognize credits as Social Studies Credits, IS 471 will be used in the programs in place of the more generalized BC 306 - Ethics and Leadership, to meet ABET needs for an IT focused ethics course. This course is currently offered as a part of the Information Security emphasis.
Information Security: 40
IS 308
This course covers Internet technology including: physical devices and networks, protocols and services, and common network operating systems. The course focuses on a broad understanding of how to use and implement networks, including an introduction to physical and logical network design. This course will provide students with an understanding of networking and Internet Protocols (IP) they will use to design small- to mid-sized business networks or expand their knowledge in network-based application programming or network security. Prerequisite: IS 306.
IS 461
This course introduces the student to the world of information security and information assurance. Students are exposed to a broad variety of concepts across the field of security including the triad of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability and the conflicts that arise from the processes of trying to simultaneously achieve the ideal. Students are also introduced to the roles and responsibilities for information security in an organization, and how people, culture, politics, regulations and other factors affect those roles. At the end of the course students will be prepared to study Information Security in depth.
CS 416
This course covers the design, deployment and management of databases. Topics include database normalization and denormalization, indexing, cooked and raw partitioning, distributed data access, ODBC, and basic SQL. In addition the course looks at how database administrators grant and manage privileges, control access to data elements, and ensure data integrity. Prerequisites: IS 306.
IS 464
This course investigates national and international policies that govern information security. Many policies govern how data and systems are used inside the corporate environment. Policy is the process in which technical controls are codified into standards and practices that a company or a governmental organization will use to define controls, and assess compliance of those controls in the working environment. The student will learn about basic policy guides, how policy ties into corporate governance, and how policy is interpreted in the United States as well as in the European Union. The student will learn the guiding standards in the information security field as it relates to the use of systems and data as well as privacy and data protection. This course focuses on the core aspects of data security policies and procedures for protecting data. Prerequisites: IS 201, IS 305, IS 320, IS 330, IS 340, and IS 345.
IS 468
This course integrates the concepts covered in Auditing (IS 462), Policy (IS 464), and Hacking (IS 466) and will now view that material in light of specific Tools used in Hacking. Students will expand their consideration of Web Application Vulnerabilities and the effect of SOX upon vulnerabilities. Students will gain experience using Nessus, Nikto/NStealth, WS Fuzzer/FuzzOr, BobCat/SQL Map, Absinthe, FXCop, and others. Prerequisites: CS 461.
IS 472
As IT has become critical to the functioning of business, the importance of information security, accuracy, and availability becomes paramount. In response there has been an increase in the complexity of government and industry mandates from around the world. These regulations on IT direction and management have the ability to disrupt business, but also can elevate the organization to a more mature and secure operational posture where the upside of affirmative safeguards is tremendous and limited only by the organization's ability to execute and adapt. This course will investigate IT Compliance regulations including SOX, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and 21 CFR 11. Students learn techniques for assessing compliance and integrating compliance initiatives into IT strategy, planning and projects.
IS 473
This course covers the concept of Intellectual Property and how it relates to business and to strategic planning for a business. We will begin by looking at what Intellectual Property is and how that relates to the economic well being of a business. Consideration will be given to how innovation is driving economic globalization and how that translates into economic opportunities and risks from the standpoint of intellectual property. We will consider methods of quantifying a business's Intellectual Property and creating a strategic plan for development, capitalization of, and protection of that Intellectual Property. Finally, we will look at the integration of a business strategic plan with an Intellectual Property strategic plan.
IS 469
This is the final course in the BSIS Information Security Major. This course focuses on the comprehensive understanding of both technical and management skills learned throughout the Information Security major. The technical skills involve identifying, repairing, testing, and reporting on security vulnerabilities in networks. Management-oriented skills involve interpreting and possibly critiquing policy to insure adequate mitigation of security risks and compliance with policy requirements. Students will review a series of real world code sets, and apply their knowledge to ensuring that the recommendations to fix those code sets are reasonable and cost effective. Students will also discuss several case studies to reinforce and integrate the concepts that they learned in the previous courses and will investigate emerging trends such Web 2.0 and cloud computing and explore policy issues involved in these areas. After finishing this course, students will have an understanding of the technical and organizational complexity of information security. Students will also appreciate that information security is a continually evolving field and that keeping up with developments in the field will require a plan for lifelong learning. Prerequisites: IS 481, IS 464 and IS 468. Any exceptions must have special permission from the IS Program Director.
