Jun 28, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Science Department


KC Santosh, Chairperson
201 Arts & Sciences
(605) 658-6840

cs@usd.edu | kc.santosh@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/computer-science

FACULTY

Associate Professor:

KC Santosh, Ph.D., INRIA - Universite de Lorraine, France. Specialization: Artificial Intelligence, Pattern recognition, image processing, computer vision, machine learning, data mining, information retrieval, big data.

Associate Professor:

Douglas Goodman, Ph.D., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Specialization: Algorithms, Simulation, Real-time Systems, Graphics.

Assistant Professors:

Farhad Akhbardeh, Ph.D., Rochester Institute of Technology. Specialization: National language processing and machine learning.
Vijayalakshmi Saravanan, Ph.D., Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), India, Specialization: Power-Aware Processor Design, IoT, Computer Architecture, Multi-Core Architecture.
Rodrigo Rizk, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Specialization: Artificial Intelligence, Software and Hardware co-design, and High-Performance Computing
Longwei Wang, Ph.D., Auburn University (Computer Science) and University of Texas at Arlington (Electrical Engineering). Specialization: Generalized AI, Machine Learning, Statistical Pattern Recognition, and Data Science

Instructors:

Zachary Tschetter, M.S., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Informatics, IoT, Game Development.
Carrie Minette, M.S., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Algorithms, Computer Architecture and Operating Systems

MAJOR:

Computer Science, B.A., B.S.

MINOR:

Computer Science

The Bachelor’s degree programs in Computer Science will prepare graduates able to do the following for a minimum of 2-5 years after graduating:

  1. Demonstrate progressive technical competency for a computing career or advanced studies (Technical Competency);

  2. Exhibit effective communication skills including the abilities to think critically and creatively, communicate clearly, and work effectively with others (Communication Competency);

  3. Integrate computational principles with social, business, and ethical issues in modern society in the process of decision making (Responsibility Awareness);

  4. Engage professionally in serving the needs of business, industry, government or academic organizations, and  in developing leadership skills (Managerial Competency);

  5. Grow professionally through steps such as continuing education, professional certifications, and participation in professional organizations (Lifelong Learning Competency).

The Department of Computer Science maintains its computational facilities, classrooms, student laboratories, and the Computer Science Research Lab, in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS). The departmental facilities include a series of Unix, Linux, and Windows servers, all integrated into a single network. Students can access the network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using a single user ID and password to gain access to all network resources. All students are given accounts that provide network storage, email, and the ability to build their own web pages. We are a long time participant in the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance, various academic initiatives with Oracle, Cisco Networking Academy, as well as the IBM Academic Initiative.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences  for college/school level scholarships.

  • Amy Fix Computer Science Scholarship
  • Faithe Family Scholarship - AD Studies
  • John A. Lushbough Scholarship
  • John R. Williams Memorial Scholarship
  • Lulu B. Wheeler ADAS Scholarship
  • Marjorie C.J. Lifto Amundson Scholarship
  • Smart Software Solutions Scholarship
  • Stacey Myers Memorial Scholarship
  • Warner Family Scholarship

Student Learning Outcomes for Computer Science (B.A., B.S.)

  1. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.  
  2. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.  
  3. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions.  
  4. Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.  
  5. Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.  
  6. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.  
  7. ABET (SO1) Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions. 
  8. ABET (SO2) Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline. 
  9. ABET (SO3) Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts. 
  10. ABET (SO4) Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed and equitable judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. 
  11. ABET (SO5) Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline. 
  12. ABET (SO6) Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. 

Programs