Computer Science & Information Systems
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems (CSIS)!
The CSIS offers five B.S. majors in the computing field. In general, these computing disciplines can be described below:
- Computer science (CS) spans a wider range, from its theoretical studies and algorithmic foundations to cutting-edge advances in networking, robotics, computer vision, intelligent systems, etc. Computer science offers a comprehensive foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas. Particularly, students in this major may choose to pursue advanced degrees to grow to be a scientist. Computer scientists develop computing solutions to achieve the best performance possible, which can then be chosen by engineers to build large-scale systems.
- Cybersecurity is concerned about the protection of computer systems and networks from attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption of the services.
- Computer Information Systems (CIS) focus on integrating information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and enterprises. CIS professionals are primarily concerned with the information that computer systems can provide to aid an enterprise in defining and achieving its goals, and the processes that an enterprise can implement and improve using information technology.
- Software Engineering (SE) is the application of engineering principles and techniques in the process of software design, development, construction and maintenance. Empowered with skills in computing and project management, software engineers seek to develop and use systematic models and reliable techniques to produce high-quality software.
- Computer engineering (CE) is a branch of computer science and electronic engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computing devices. Computer engineering usually deals with areas including writing software and firmware for embedded microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, analog sensors, mixed signal circuit boards, and operating systems. Computer engineers are suited for robotics research, which relies heavily on using digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like motors, communications, and sensors.
While these academic majors are built upon the same computing fundamentals (skill sets on algorithmic thinking and programming), they vary significantly in terms of the focus of study as shown in the figure below.
To make students career-ready, all the majors offer a Capstone Program as they enter senior years. The Capstone Program offers an opportunity for senior students to collaborate in a teamwork setting to develop solutions to large-scale problems with realistic constraints. In the year-long or semester-long process, students can not only synthesize the knowledge and skills they have learned before, but also develop their self-learning abilities to explore new horizons of technologies to meet their project needs. Some highlights of our Capstone Programs can be found here .
Contact Us
Dept. of Computer Science and Information Systems
CSU San Marcos
333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92096 cs@csusm.edu
Administrative Coordinator
Dana Edstrom
SCI 2, 239A
Phone: (760) 750-8399
dedstrom@csusm.edu
