2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science (AA-DTA) Course Map


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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) Degree Requirements  Degree, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school. 

Total Credits: 100


Action Item: Meet with Computer Science (CS) Faculty Advisor


Please work with the Computer Science (CS) Faculty Advisor to discuss pathway options in the information technology (IT) field.

Required Prerequisites


Placement at college level reading.
Placement at college level English.
Placement at college level math.
Placement at college level Computer Science.

1. College Success


  • Course purpose:  A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course. 

2. Introduction to Computer Information Systems


3. Math Course Recommendation


Take one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Transfer Note: MATH& 141 and MATH& 142, with a minimum 2.0 in each, are requirements for UWT’s Information Technology, B.S., and transfer as TMATH 115  and TMATH 116, respectively.

  • Transfer Note: MATH& 141 and MATH& 142, with a minimum 2.0 in each, are requirements for UWT’s Information Technology, B.S., and transfer as TMATH 115  and TMATH 116, respectively.

  • Transfer Note: MATH& 151 and MATH& 152, with a minimum 2.0 in each, are requirements for UWT’s Computer Science and Systems, B.S. and transfer as TMATH 124 and TMATH 125, respectively. 

    MATH& 151 and MATH& 146, with a minimum 2.0 in each, are requirements for UWT’s Computer Science and Systems, B.A. and transfer as TMATH 124 and TMATH 110, respectively.

  • Transfer Note: MATH& 151 and MATH& 152, with a minimum 2.0 in each, are requirements for UWT’s Computer Science and Systems, B.S. and transfer as TMATH 124 and TMATH 125, respectively.

  • Note: MATH& 153 may be used as a substitute for MATH& 163.  Please check with your transfer institution to determine how this substitution may impact your transfer-readiness.

  • Course purpose: Enhances your problem solving, analysis, and logical thinking skills.

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  • Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.

4. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: Clear and strategic communication with others is a central feature of all computer science careers. The skills learned in ENGL 101 are foundational for later course work and beyond.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.

Action Item: Meet with CS Advisor


Use your Success Network!  In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.  

5. Introduction to Sociology


  • Course purpose: Since computer application development and the programs created have potential for world-wide and cross cultural impacts, foundation knowledge in social systems and cultures can provide the basis for better understanding for the creation of interaction between the user and computer software.

6. Introduction to Communications


  • Course purpose: Enhanced communications understanding and abilities can provide the foundation for the development of better interaction and creation of digital tools to facilitate a user in learning and working with applications programs.

7. Introduction to Statistics


  • Course purpose: This class is necessary to enable you to critically analyze, assess, collect, manipulate, and interpret data covering many aspects of system performance from program execution to throughput to efficiency, etc.

8. English Composition II


Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go!  It is time to apply for graduation.  Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.  https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

9. Survey of Economics


  • Course purpose: Computer science students will gain an appreciation of the role of information systems in economic issues. Computer science students will gain an appreciation for the fundamentals of economics and their role as a developer of software systems potentially affecting business or organizations. An understanding of economics can also facilitate an understanding of the necessity for creating efficient interactions and interfaces for potential users.

10. General Psychology


11. Introduction to Philosophy


  • Course purpose: Computer science students can benefit from the study of Philosophy as it provides the opportunity to develop logic, critical thinking, and problem solving strategies and potential multicultural impacts on interface and interaction design.

12. Critical Thinking


13. Computer Science I


  • The first in a two-quarter course focusing on structured and procedural programming. Topics include the basics of computer hardware, programming, loops, conditionals, methods, program design, debugging, flow charts, pseudo-code, and, object-oriented programming. No prior programming experience is required but is highly recommended. 

    Course purpose: Introduction to the concepts of computer program analysis, design and development using JAVA in modern structured programming methodologies and techniques. Involves structure charts, pseudocode and flowcharts. Common computer program techniques of documentation, testing and validation, and implementation using one or more software development life cycle methodologies, and lab assignments to allow you to interact with computer technology, hardware and concepts. This is a second-year course.

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  • Transfer Note: CS& 141, with a minimum 2.0, is a requirement for UWT’s Computer Science and Systems, B.S. and UWT’s Computer Science and Systems B.A. and transfers as TCSS 142.

     

    CS& 141, with a minimum 2.0, is a requirement for UWT’s Information Technology, B.S., and transfer as TCSS 142.

14. Computer Science II


  • Course purpose: Introduction to Object Oriented Programming (OOP). Application of the concepts of inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction and encapsulation. Addresses classes, objects, recursion, basic data structures and abstract data types. Utilize maintainability, and reusability techniques. Introduce effective object-oriented programming, code versioning and error handling.  This is a second-year course.

  • Transfer Note: CS& 202, with a minimum 2.0, is a requirement for UWT’s Computer Science and Systems, B.S. and UWT’s Computer Science and Systems B.A. and transfers as TCSS 143.

15. Physics Course Recommendation


Take one course per quarter until courses are finished.

Total Credits: 100


16. Additional Recommended Course


Adjusted Credit Total: 106


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