Home

About

Welcome to the Computer and Information Sciences web site at the Indiana University South Bend. We offer graduate and undergraduate degrees, certificates and minors. Our goal is to provide the highest quality education in the most enjoyable and friendly atmosphere possible. In pursuing this goal we work hard to attract the best and most qualified faculty and staff to our program. We also work hard to build and maintain up-to-date computer laboratories which are crucial to our programs. In our programs we offer state-of-the-art topics in computer science. Through our internship program as well as our faculty consulting and volunteering, we interact regularly with our local industry so that we continuously exchange ideas to the mutual benefit of both the business community and the university. Our goal is to bridge the gap between theories and concepts presented in the classroom and real life business and industry needs and practices. If you are considering majoring in Computer Science or Informatics, we would be pleased to hear from you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Chair

Department of Computer and Information Sciences

Download the Department Brochure

Department Overview

To prepare our graduate and undergraduate majors for successful careers in Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology, and CS-enabled disciplines.
To educate students in the broader campus community in fundamental concepts of computers and information technology, and problem solving using computers.
To create and disseminate new knowledge in computer and information sciences.
To work with local organizations to understand their needs and to provide our students with practical experiences.

In 1983, the Department of Mathematics proposed a new Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, and soon after the department changed its name to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The first degree was awarded in 1984. Computer Science remained a sub-department for the next 17 years growing from one to five faculty members.
In 2000, Computer Science and Mathematics separated into two distinct departments. Currently, there are twelve tenured full-time faculty members with terminal degrees, a lecturer, and a number of associate faculty. Additional information about the faculty and their research interests and teaching can be found in this link.
MS in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science was offered starting Fall 2002 jointly with Department of Mathematics. The first degree was awarded in 2004.
BS in Informatics was offered starting Fall 2003 by the Informatics program. The first degree was awarded in Fall 2004.
Online BS degree in Informatics is being offered jointly with other IU Campuses (East, Kokomo and Indianapolis, Northwest, and Southeast) starting Fall 2017.
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Informatics and Interactive Media Arts are offered starting from 2020 in collaboration with the Department of New Media from the Ernestine M. Raclin School of Arts.
Collaborative online Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science offered starting from 2021.
The Computer Science Education was approved for Fall 2021 in the School of Education.
The Department of New Media has joined the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has merged with the Computer Science Department, 2023.

We have around 200 majors in our programs. The majority of our students come from Michiana and have strong ties to the area. Our student body ranges from traditional (18-25 years old) to the non-traditional (25-45 years old) to professionals who are returning to the University to enhance their skills.

More than 32,000 people, living across our nation and throughout the world, are proud to trace their academic roots to Indiana University South Bend. Over 600 are computer science department graduates, helping build a strong society and economy based on information technology. Our alumni are joined by an active group of friends, parents, corporations, and foundations whose participation, support, and interest further the cause of higher education at IU South Bend. The majority of our alumni are employed in local, regional, and national companies or organizations. A number of our alumni have pursued graduate and doctoral programs and currently engage in research in academic and corporate settings.

Our faculty have terminal degrees in Computer Science, Psychology, BioInformatics, Social Informatics, New Media, and related disciplines. They have diverse teaching and research interests including topics such as: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Networks, Computer Science Education, Computer Vision, Databases, Data Streaming, Distributed Computing, Game Programming, Information Security, Parallel Computing, Robotics, Social Informatics, Software Engineering, Quantum Computing, and Wireless Networks. Our faculty has received numerous research, curriculum development, and other grants. They engage our students in undergraduate and graduate research and software projects. The department faculty strive to excel in teaching and a number of our faculty have received teaching awards.

The Department offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Computer Science, minors in Computer Science, Computer Applications, and undergraduate certificates in Computer Programming, Advanced Computer Programming, and Computer Applications. COIS also offers a graduate certificate in Technology Administration. In collaboration with other departments and programs the COIS offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science with focus areas in Computer Science and Data Science, B.S. in Informatics, Online B.S. in Informatics, B.S. and B.A in Informatics and Interactive Media Arts, Online B.S. in Data Science, minors in Informatics, Cognitive Science, and Informatics and Interactive Media Arts, and a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Applied Informatics.
The B.S. in Computer Science degree curriculum follows the guidelines set out by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the leading professional computing societies. Students in this degree program complete a core curriculum that builds an overall understanding of computers, computing environments, and theoretical issues. The degree prepares students to enter challenging computing careers in the workplace or to embark on postgraduate programs in computing. For a detailed description please visit our Bachelor in Computer Science page. For information on a alternative courses of study, visit one of these pages:Minor, Graduate certificate or Undergraduate Certificates.
The Bachelor of Science in Informatics degree curriculum follows the guidelines set out by the School of Informatics and Computing, and other computing professional societies and prepares students to apply computer science to another discipline such as STEM, Business, Arts, Social Sciences, etc. The Online Bachelor of Science in Informatics is offered jointly with other IU campuses starting 2017. The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Applied Informatics allows students to switch to information technology careers.
The M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (AMCS) is offered jointly with the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Students enroll in one of the following focus areas: Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or Integrated. Students in the program take advanced courses in computer science and/or applied mathematics with emphasis on real-world problem solving and applications.
The Minor in Cognitive Science is offered jointly with the departments of Mathematical Sciences, Philosophy, and Psychology.
The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Informatics and Interactive New Media are offered jointly with the Department of New Media from the Ernestine M. Raclin School of Arts. Students take courses preparing them both for the programming aspects and for the design aspects of media projects. Concentrations in web development, game development, and more are available.
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science is an online degree offered jointly with IU East, IUPUI, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, and IU Southeast. Students take courses preparing them to collect, organize, and analyze data to make meaningful conclusions.

Videos

Newsletters