Nov 21, 2024

2021-2022 General Catalog

2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Computer Science Certificates

The USU Department of Computer Science provides a variety of learning opportunities to earn certificate specializations through USU’s online program. All the courses needed to earn these certificates are available online, meaning students can live anywhere and work on these certificates.

All certificates are stackable, meaning that they are all independent. However, there is some overlap with the course requirements. Students who wish to pursue multiple certificates will benefit greatly from that overlap. For example, a student who completes the Software Development certificate only needs to complete two more classes (6 credits) for the Web & Mobile Developer certificate. The Cloud Developer certificate only requires two classes (3 credits) on top of the Software Development certificate.

Computer Science Teaching - Level 1

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) recognizes the Computer Science Teaching certificates. These certificates qualify teachers to teach computer science in high school, allowing students to earn college credit through AP or Concurrent Enrollment computer science classes. Specific skills and outcomes as a result of this teaching certificate include:

An ability to analyze a problem, identify, and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solutions.
An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, social issues, and responsibilities.
A basic ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
An ability to use the Python programming language.
An ability to use the Java programming language.
Learn methods for teaching computer science to high school students.

Computer Science Teaching - Level 2

All those listed for the Computer Science Teaching – Level 1 certificate.
Improve rational thinking, problem solving, and decisions.
Gain factual knowledge, theories, fundamental principles, generalizations, and skills related to event driven programming and user interface development.
Learn about algorithm analysis techniques, asymptotic notation, data structures, sorting algorithms, and graph algorithms.

Computer Science Software Development

This certificate targets displaced workers from other fields and gives them a realistic pathway for obtaining an entry-level position as a software programmer or tester, as well as providing a foundation for other certificates or for a future bachelor’s degree in computer science. Specific skills and outcomes as a result of this teaching certificate include:

An ability to analyze a problem, identify, and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solutions.
An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, social issues, and responsibilities.
A basic ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
An ability to use the Python programming language.
An ability to use the Java programming language.
Learn about algorithm analysis techniques, asymptotic notation, data structures, sorting algorithms, and graph algorithms.

Computer Science Web & Mobile Developer

This certificate builds on the Software Development certificate by providing additional breadth in the development of web and mobile applications. A particular focus on event driven user interfaces comes first, followed by specific application areas for web and mobile computing. This certificate enables one to have the necessary skills for an entry-level position as a web or mobile software developer. Students come away with the following skills and outcomes:

All those listed for the Computer Science Software Development certificate.
Learn to develop secure, dynamic, database-driven web applications.
Learn to create web pages and mobile applications featuring interactive capabilities using client and server side technologies.
Gain experience in applying techniques of information representation, storage, retrieval, and transmission in Internet-based environments.
Gain skills in using tools and practices of professionals for designing, developing, debugging and delivering web and mobile applications.

Computer Science Cloud Computing

The Cloud Computing certificate introduces students to the tools, techniques, and skills necessary to build cloud computing applications. These are applications that utilize cloud computing resources such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. Students earning this certification are prepared to design and implement reliable, durable, scalable, and high-available software applications. Students come away with the following skills and outcomes:

All those listed for the Computer Science Web & Mobile Developer certificate.
Learn about the different types of cloud services for computation, information storage and retrieval, communications, security, software development, and more.
Develop skills with at least one suite of services in sufficient detail to know how to apply those services to create real solutions for real problems.