Department of Computer Science

Faculty:

Dale Hamilton (Department Chair)

Mission:

The mission of the Department of Computer Science is altogether aligned with the overall mission of NNU. The mission of Northwest Nazarene University (and the College of Natural & Applied Sciences) is the transformation of the whole person. Centered in Jesus Christ, the NNU education instills habits of heart, soul, mind, and strength to enable each student to become God's creative and redemptive agent in the world.

Vision:

Northwest Nazarene University's Department of Computer Science strives to deliver an exceptional, Christ-centered educational experience that equips students to live out their calling in service to business and community and for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

 

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission into the MS in Artificial Intelligence should meet the following criteria:
  1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.  
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous academic coursework. If GPA is less than 3.0, please provide an explanation.
  3. Evidence of competency in writing as demonstrated by a submitted essay explaining the motivation for pursuing an MS in Artificial Intelligence at NNU.
  4. Official transcript of undergraduate degree and completed graduate work.
  5. Two academic or professional recommendations.   
  6. Resume/CV

 

Application Process:

The applicant will submit the following forms to the graduate admission office:

  1. Application with nonrefundable $50 application fee.
  2. Official transcript(s) of undergraduate degree and completed graduate work.
  3. Two recommendations (academic/supervisor/professional)

Application and materials are valid for one year from the date of acceptance.

Prospective students will need to meet the minimum NNU graduate admissions requirements as outlined in the NNU Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.

Selection of students to admit into the MS in Artificial Intelligence program will be made by an Admissions Committee consisting of graduate Computer Science faculty.  The committee is comprised of faculty who are teaching graduate courses (numbered 6000 and above) in the Computer Science program.

If a prospective student does not have the software development experience commensurate with what is covered in a Data Structures course, they will be required to take COMP6120 Fundamentals of Programming and Data Structures as their first class upon starting the master's program.  If commensurate coursework is available on their transcript, that will suffice. Students who have a BS in Computer Science will have fulfilled this requirement as will students who have a BS in Electrical Engineering from many institutions.  If students have obtained commensurate development experience outside the academic setting, that can also be considered.

Transfer of Credits

A maximum of 9 credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution with the approval of the Department of Computer Science. All transfer credits must have received at least a B- letter grade and be approved by the program director. Credits must have been earned within five years preceding the date of admission.

 

Academic Standing and Dismissal

In order to continue in good standing in the program, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
  2. Earn no more than two course grades below B-.
  3. Earn no grades lower than C-.

Students failing to maintain these standards will be notified and may be subject to dismissal from the program.

 

Attendance Policy (Degree Programs)

Students are expected to attend classes in the courses in which they are enrolled.  For online sessions, this includes regular and consistent participation each week. Unwarranted absences may result in a reduced grade for the course.  Any student who misses 25% of a course's didactic content, regardless of cause, will be administratively removed from that course. For purposes of online courses, attendance requires assignment submissions, not merely a login or page view.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for the Masters degree in Artificial Intelligence include:

  1. Completion of the approved program within 6 years of beginning coursework.
  2. Completion of the required number of credits.
  3. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  4. Earn no more than two course grades below B-.
  5. Earn no grades lower than C- as they do not count toward the degree.
  6. A final project done in conjunction with COMP6680 Capstone Project
  7. Submission of a graduation application according to the following deadlines: June 1 for graduation after the Fall semester; October 15 for graduation after the Spring semester; and January 15 for graduation after the summer semester

 

Degrees and Certificates