Bachelor of science in Computing Sciences receives accreditation
Irene Burgo

The University’s bachelor of science in Computing Sciences Program was recently re-accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC) of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, a specialized accrediting body. The favorable review places Villanova’s program, which was initially accredited in 1990, among some 160 accredited schools across the country. Accreditation is important because it demonstrates that the University offers a program in computer science that meets certain nationally accepted standards.

Accreditation involves an intensive two-year process that begins with the preparation of a self-study followed by a visit to campus from a CSAC team of representatives. During this initial visit, the team observes the administration of the program, the variety of courses offered, the course materials used and talks to faculty members, as well. Based on this assessment, the team writes a preliminary report to which the University must respond.

Villanova’s computing sciences department prepared a self-study report during the spring 1999 semester. The current re-accreditation process took place during the 1999/2000 academic year. The CSAC overall assessment is based on criteria that includes seven different areas concerning the running of a program, according to Dr. Robert Beck, chair of the computing sciences department. The CSAC scrutinizes various factors including faculty, students, curriculum, labs, institutional support, among others. The accreditation team evaluates the curriculum based on standard requirements such as the number of hours, the level and quality of computer science courses, as well as the amount of mathematics, science and general education requirements demanded by the program.

"We document for them what we are teaching in the various courses that are required for computer science majors," said Dr. Beck. "While on campus, the team conducts a thorough investigation. It even peruses examples of student work such as graded papers written as class assignments."

Increasing reliance on computers, information technology and the Internet have increased opportunities in the information technology field and this, in turn, has changed the courses that Villanova offers to prepare well-educated computer science majors. Enrollment in the University’s computer science program has steadily increased over the past decade. The program enrolls 42 incoming freshmen majors this year ( compared to fewer than 20 incoming majors in 1994). The total number of students currently enrolled in the program is 150, compared to less than 90 students in 1994. Students are taught by 16 full-time and 13-part-time faculty members, who also teach students in graduate level courses, as well as a large number of non-majors who take computer science courses.

"The Web, and/or the Internet, have made a major difference in the content of the program," said Beck. "For one thing, new programming languages have been added. We are now using Java, which is the programming language designed to help with Internet programming issues. Learning Java gives students added leverage when interviewing with potential employers because employers most often seek people who are proficient in Java."

The computer science field today offers lucrative job opportunities for well-trained computer science majors, and Villanova graduates have done well in gaining employment. Recent graduates have secured computing systems jobs that vary greatly at companies ranging from the highly technical Lockheed Martin, and Sun companies, to consulting/business firms like Arthur Andersen and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, to QVC, whose operations require extensive computer technology.

Beck noted that accreditation is important standard for the program to have because it provides verification from an external body which states that specific standards have been met. "It is the academic equivalent of the good-housekeeping seal of approval. Accreditation also provides a starting point for talking to prospective students," Beck said. (Locally, other schools whose programs in computer science are accredited include Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh universities.)

Dr. Beck, as well as Dr. Boots Cassel, professor of computing sciences, have served on the Computer Science Accreditation Commission. Dr. Cassel currently serves on the executive board of the commission.