The general objectives of the Computer and Information Sciences Department are to provide opportunities for students to develop functional competence in computer science and information technology; an appreciation for the contributions of computer science and technology to science, business, economics, and the social sciences; and the power of critical thinking. The Department strives to prepare students to pursue graduate studies, and for careers in teaching, government, and industry.

The Department aims to provide students with courses of studies directed toward an understanding of computational theory and its relation to other fields of study. This study includes an emphasis on precision of definition, reasoning to precise conclusions, and an analysis and solution of problems.

In our continued quest to provide improved advising service to our majors, the department is proposing that all incoming freshmen interested in computer science participate in a math placement exam. The exam, which will be in algebra and trigonometry, will serve to assess the student's ability to successfully complete discrete mathematics and calculus. Because of the lack of preparation in mathematics, computer science majors often become disenchanted and frustrated. This has resulted in a high attrition rate in the department and the placement exam will allow the department to better advise the majors.

We are also proposing that incoming freshmen interested in computer science be classified as pre-computer science majors and are not considered full-fledged computer science majors until they have successfully completed the following requirements:

• Pre-computer science majors must receive a C or better in Computer Science 107 Survey of Computer Science, Computer Science 261 Introduction to Computer Science, Math 213 Discrete Math 1, and Math 214 Discrete Math 2
• Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of review.

These requirements will be reviewed by the student's advisor and submitted to the chair for approval within a week after the preregistration period.

The department believes that these criteria will help improve academic standings of our majors and improve the retention rate.

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