A highly flexible program that allows students to enroll in courses suitable to their interests and experience. Students can select from tracks in software development, database-driven web development, and master’s preparation, or they can develop an individualized program. All courses receive University credit and may be applied towards a UVM degree.
Students use the certificate to improve their chances for employment or career advancement in IT-related fields, as well as other fields where Computer Science skills provide an advantage, receive certification prior to entering or while working towards a degree in Computer Science, or prepare for graduate studies in Computer Science.
Requirements
The Certificate in Computer Software requires completion of at least 15 credits (5 courses) in advisor-approved computer software courses, including CS 21, with a grade C (2.0) or better in each course.
Students may transfer a total of 3 credits (1 course) from another institution. Please note that students must be matriculated at the time credits are transferred.
Course Availability/Delivery
Several courses are offered during the day and evening on the Burlington campus. However, most courses (especially those numbered 100 or higher) are offered only as day classes. A few lower-level courses are available online, and several are available during the summer. Day courses start at 8 am or after 3:30 pm on a rotating basis. Evening courses typically start after 4pm.
- Courses for Summer 2013
- Fall 2013
- Summer 2013
- Courses for Fall 2013
Time Required to Complete the Certificate
The time it takes to complete the certificate varies with each student’s background and course selection. Typically, three to five semesters are required, with students taking one to two courses per semester. Because of course prerequisites, it is not possible to take all five courses in one semester. There is no time limit to complete the certificate.
Enrolling in the Certificate
Anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent is eligible to enroll. Students may enroll in the certificate at any time before, during, or after taking courses that will be applied to the certificate. However, it is recommended that students enroll prior to beginning coursework to ensure that they are properly advised and that their selected courses are approved by a faculty advisor from the Department of Computer Science.
Computer Requirements
Although computer laboratories are available on campus for student use during limited hours, students will be at a significant disadvantage if they do not have access to their own computer. Specific courses, including those offered live online or online, require a computer. Some courses require the purchase of software.
For More Information For questions regarding academic advising, please contact:
Department of Computer Science351 Votey Building
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2547
For questions pertaining to administrative issues, please contact:
Continuing Education322 Prospect Street
Burlington VT 05401
802-656-2085
Curriculum
The highly flexible nature of the certificate allows students to enroll in a variety of courses suitable to their experience and interests. The only required course is CS 21. Students may select from the following courses:
- CS 002 MS Office: Beyond the Basics
- CS 008 Introduction to WWW Design (Offered online & on campus)
- CS 014 Visual Basic Programming (Offered online & on campus)
- CS 019 Introduction to Programming
- CS 021 Computer Programming I (Offered online & on campus)
- CS 042 Dynamic Data on the Web
- CS 110 Computer Programming II
- CS 121 Computer Organization
- CS 123 Programming Languages
- CS 124 Data Structures
- CS 204 Database Systems
- CS 205 Software Engineering
- CS 274 Computer Graphics
- CS 005 Special Topics
- CS 095 Special Topics
- CS 195 Special Topics
- Other courses as approved by an advisor.
Recommended courses for the track in software development include (you must take four):
- CS 008 Introduction: WWW Design (2-2)
- CS 014 Visual Basic Programming
- CS 016 Prog MATLAB Engineers&Science
- CS 019 Introduction to Programming
- CS 021 Computer Programming I
- CS 032 Puzzles, Games & Algorithms
- CS 095 Special Topics
- CS 110 Computer Programming II
- CS 195 Special Topics
Recommended courses for the track in database-driven web development include:
- CS 008 Introduction: WWW Design (2-2)
- CS 014 Visual Basic Programming
- CS 021 Computer Programming I
- CS 042 Dynamic Data on the Web
- CS 148 Database Design for the Web
Recommended courses to prepare for a master’s degree include:
- CS 021 Computer Programming I
- CS 110 Computer Programming II
- CS 121 Computer Organization
- CS 124 Data Structures
Course Descriptions
Courses in the Certificate in Computer Software are offered live (face-to-face) on the Burlington campus unless designated as online, allowing students to access these courses from anywhere. “Online” courses allow a student to access the course from anywhere at any time during the day or night using a computer.
Courses are three credits, unless otherwise noted.
CS 002 Microcomputer Applications Software Popular applications software packages are examined: word processors, spreadsheets, and databases. Emphasis is on hands-on experience. Prerequisite: two years high school algebra.
CS 005 Introductory Special Topics Topic may vary each semester. No credit if taken after any CS course number 16 or higher.
CS 008 Introduction to WWW Design (Online) Provides a strong foundation in HTML, working with images, beginning JavaScript programming, and web design so that a student can create a functional web site. Prerequisites: basic computer skills.
CS 014 Visual Basic Programming (Online) Programming in the MS Windows environment is explored using forms, objects, methods, functions, and code. Includes the creation of regular applications and customized office suite applications. Prerequisite: CS 002 or Business Administration 040, or instructor permission.
CS 019 Introduction to Programming A gentle introduction to computer programming using Java Applets on web pages. Topics include selection, repetition, functions, objects, event-driven programming, arrays, inheritance, GUI design.
CS 21 Computer Programming I (required course) (Online) Introduction to algorithmic problem solving. Designed to provide a foundation for further studies in computer science. Prerequisite: Math 10 or a strong background in secondary school algebra and trigonometry. Four credits.
CS 032 Puzzles, Games & Algorithms Introductory computer science through exploration and analysis of mathematical puzzles and games, and the algorithms that handle them.
CS 095 & 195 Special Topics Recent semesters include courses in geospatial technologies, wireless sensors and robotics.
CS 110 Computer Programming II Introduction to more advanced programming concepts that provide a foundation for further study in computer science. Topics include data structures and algorithms, concepts of style, design, documentation, testing, and debugging techniques. Prerequisite: CS 021.
CS 121 Computer Organization Introduction to computer system organization including performance, assembly language, machine-level data representation, arithmetic for computers, processor datapath control, memory, and input/output. Prerequisite: CS 110.
CS 123 Programming Languages Systematic treatment of principles underlying the features and implementation of programming languages. Contrast of traditional procedural languages and at least one nontraditional language. Prerequisite: CS 110.
CS 124 Data Structures Course examines lists, strings, arrays, trees, graphs, storage systems and structures, storage allocation, garbage collection, searching and sorting techniques, and generalized data management systems. Prerequisites: CS 110, Math 064.
CS 148 Database-Driven Web Design (Online) Design and implementation of web pages to support forms, queries, active server pages, authentication, and security. Electronic commerce on the web. Prerequisites: CS 014 or 016 or 021 or Business Administration 141 or instructor permission.
CS 195 Advanced Web Design This course provides an in depth exploration of the foundation of Cascading Style Sheets and covering Web Usability to help you create a pleasing user experience for visitors to your site.
CS 204 Database Systems Techniques for processing very large collections of data. Secondary storage. Database design and management. Query languages and optimization. Database recovery. Prerequisites: CS 100, 104; 201 recommended.
CS 205 Software Engineering Treatment of software engineering problems and principles, including documentation, information hiding and module interface specification syntax and semantics. Requires participation in a team project. Prerequisite: CS 124.
Note: CS 205 is offered during alternate years as a one-semester course. The sequence CS 208/209 is offered every other year in place of CS 205.
CS 274 Computer Graphics Graphical representation of two- and three-dimensional objects on color raster displays. Line generation, region filling, geometric transformations, hidden line and surface removal, rendering techniques.
Browse the complete listing of computer science courses.
Computer Software Careers
Why it’s hot: Computers have become essential to our lives, so it’s not surprising that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counts software engineers, computer support specialists and systems analysts among the nation’s fastest growing occupations.
Careers: Because computers and computer software are used in everything from telecommunications and navigation to scientific research and healthcare, those in information technology – software engineers, systems analysts, computer scientists, computer support specialists, systems administrators, database administrators and computer security specialists, Web developers, and network systems and data communications analysts, to name a few – may choose to work in a variety of industries.
UVM’s program: Our Certificate in Computer Software Program allows you to enroll in courses that suit your interests and experience. You may select from tracks in software development, database-driven web development and master’s preparation, or develop an individualized program. All courses receive university credit and may be applied toward a UVM degree.
