Computer Programming and Information Systems Minor

The Computer Programming and Information Systems minor is available for students who wish to develop a deeper understanding and practical skill sets in programming and software applications. Students selecting this Computer Programming and Information Systems minor will take 18 credit hours of coding and computer applications courses. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will gain skills in programming, develop algorithms using top-down stepwise refinement including competencies in arrays, pointers, strings, classes, data abstraction, inheritance, composition and overloading.
  • Students will have hands on experience with excel spreadsheets, access databases and SQL (Structured Query Language).
  • Students will use both HTML and CSS to modify the appearance of Web page content and layout.
  • Students will acquire a basic understanding of the UNIX system, utilizing the file system, programming language and security system.
  • Students will understand the history of networking and applications, voice and data communications, hardware, transmission, network topologies, network analysis, the OSI model, design, implementation, and management issues.

About Academic Minors

Farmingdale State College students are invited to enhance their studies with an "Academic Minor." A minor is a cluster of thematically related courses drawn from one or more departments. In addition to department based minors (e.g. computer programming & info systems), interdisciplinary minors are also available (e.g. legal studies).

Academic minors are approved by the College-Wide Curriculum Committee and the Provost. Students must make application for an academic minor through the department offering the minor in conjunction with the Registrar's Office Specific course work must be determined in consultation with a faculty member in the department offering the minor. A statement of successful completion of the academic minor will appear on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

  • A minor is considered to be an optional supplement to a student's major program of study.
  • Completion of a minor is not a graduation requirement and is subject to the availability of the courses selected. However, if the requirements for a minor are not completed prior to certification of graduation in the major, it will be assumed that the minor has been dropped. Consequently, the student will only be certified for graduation in their primary major.
  • Only students in 4 year baccalaureate programs can apply for a minor.
  • A minor should consist of 15 to 21 credits.
  • At least 12 credits must be in courses at the 200 level or higher.
  • At least 9 credits must be residency credits.
  • Specific requirements for each minor are determined by the department granting the minor. 
  • Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in their minor.  Some minors may require a higher GPA.
  • Students are prohibited from declaring a minor in the same discipline as their major (e.g. one cannot combine an applied math minor with an applied math major). Academic minors may not apply to all curricula.
  • Students are permitted to double-count courses.
  • Students are only permitted to take more than one minor with appropriate written approval of their department chair or curriculum Dean.

Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Computer Programming and Information Systems | Dr. David S. Gerstl | cpis@farmingdale.edu | 934-420-2190

Fall 2023

Subject to revision

Required Courses: Credits
CSC 111 Computer Programming I 3
BCS 160 Computers, Society, and Technology 3
CSC 211 Computer Programming II 3
Choose 9 credits out of the following courses
BCS 215 UNIX Operating Systems 3
BCS 260 Introduction to Database Systems 3
BCS 262 Data Communications 3
BCS/CSC 200 level or higher elective by advisement 3

When it is deemed necessary, substitutions may be made at the discretion of the department chair.

CSC 111 Computer Programming I

This is an introductory programming course. Students will be taught basic concepts of computer programming and problem solving using an object-oriented language. Selection, repetition, methods, classes, and arrays will be covered. Note: CSC 101 is recommended as a prerequisite, but not required for this course. Note: Students completing this course may not receive credit for BCS 120.

BCS 160 Computers, Society and Technology

This is an introductory course that provides students with the knowledge to stay current and informed in a technology-oriented, global society. Students will receive instruction in basic computer concepts and terminology, the fundamentals of the Windows operating system and have hands-on experience at the beginning to intermediate level using Microsoft Excel and Access. The Internet will be used to supplement textbook and lecture materials. Note: Students taking this course may not receive credit for BCS 102.

CSC 211 Computer Programming II

This course expands upon the knowledge and skills presented in Computer Programming I. Topics covered include: stack and heap memory, exception handling, inheritance, polymorphism, recursion, abstract types, unit testing, and basic GUI programming. Note: Students completing this course may not receive credit for BCS 230 Prerequisite(s): CSC 111 OR BCS 120 with a grade of C or higher

BCS 215 UNIX Operating Systems

This course develops the fundamental knowledge of computer operating systems using UNIX. Topics include basic understanding of the UNIX system, utilizing the file system, programming language and security system. BCS 120 or CSC 111 may be taken as a Prerequisite or Corequisite. Prerequisite(s): BCS 120 or CSC 111 Corequisite(s): BCS 120 or CSC 111

BCS 260 Introduction to Database Systems

This course provides the fundamental knowledge of database concepts. Topics studied will include the history and advantages of database systems, and the process of database design including entity-relationship diagrams and database normalization. Students will have hands-on experience using SQL (Structured Query Language). Prerequisite(s): (BCS 120 or CSC 111) and BCS 160 all with a grade of C or higher

BCS 262 Data Communications

This course is an introduction to the concepts and applications of computer networking and its role in the business world today. Topics include: history of networking and applications, voice and data communications, hardware, transmission, network topologies, network analysis, the OSI model, design, implementation and management issues.

Last Modified 2/13/24