Department of Math and Computer Science

 

Faculty: 

Dale Hamilton (Department Chair), Kevin McCarty

Mission:

The mission of the Department of Mathematics and 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 Mathematics and 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

Degree Programs
  1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous academic coursework. This requirement may be waived for applicants with a graduate certificate from the NNU College of Business.
  3. Evidence of competency in writing.
  4. Official transcript of undergraduate degree and completed graduate work.
  5. Two professional recommendations.   
  6. A favorable recommendation from the College of Business Graduate Admissions Committee.
  7. An acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not an applicant's native language. If a student has completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution within the United States, or has completed at least 30 credits in such an institution, the TOEFL or IELTS requirement is waived. 

Application materials are valid for one year from the date of acceptance. Exceptions to regular admission requirements must be approved by the Computer Science Graduate Admissions Committee.

 

Application Process:

Degree Programs

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

  1. Application with nonrefundable $50 application fee.
  2. Personal essay response to the statement provided on the College of Natural and Applied Sciences admission website.
  3. Official transcript(s) of undergraduate degree and completed graduate work. If GPA is less than 3.0, please provide an explanation
  4. Two recommendations (academic/supervisor/professional), one from a professor
  5. Resume/CV
  6. For international, standard artifacts required by university (Transcript evaluation, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo, passport, bank statement)
  7. Professional statement – Tell us about you, why do you want to study AI and why at NNU
  8. Recorded Interview – 5-10 minute presentation recording of a capstone project or class project, preferably related to AI or CS

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 GPS catalog.

 

Selection of students to admit into the MS AI program will be made by an Admissions Committee consisting of graduate CS faculty.  Graduate CS faculty will consist of faculty who are teaching graduate courses (numbered 6000 and above) in the CS program. 

If a prospective student does not have the software development experience commensurate with what is covered in COMP2750 Data Structures, they will be required to take COMP6120 Fundamentals of Programming and Data Structures (3) 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 development experience commensurate to what’s outside, that can be considered also.

 

Transfer of Credits

Degree Programs

A maximum of 25% of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution. 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

Degree Programs

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 our hybrid classes, this includes physical attendance at the on-campus sessions. 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 class hours, regardless of cause, will be administratively removed from that course. For purposes of online courses, attendance requires an assignment submission, not merely a login or page view.

 

Graduation Requirements

Degree Programs

Graduation requirements for the graduate degree in business 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 and the program exit exam 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