The Computer Science Department houses multiple degree and certificate programs, serving both career and transfer students. For our career students, we offer multiple degree and certificate options in our Information and Communications Technology program, including networking, programming, system administration and computer support pathways. For our transfer students, we offer an A.S. in Computer Animation and Game Development, an A.S. in Computer Science (fully articulated with CSU, Chico), an A.S in Computer Information Systems (fully articulated with CSU, Chico), and an A.S. for Transfer in Computer Science (aligned with Transfer Model Curriculum).
Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) blends courses from Art, Computer Science, Multimedia Studies, and Radio-Television-Film to create a cutting edge multidisciplinary program. Students in CAGD learn to use art and technology to create interactive multimedia experiences such as video games and digital animations. The program prepares students for transfer to the CAGD program at California State University, Chico and provides a foundation for similar majors at other four-year colleges and universities. The Cisco Networking Administration Certificate prepares students for industry standard certification exams and entry-level positions as computer networking professionals. The core curriculum covers networking fundamentals, WAN technologies, basic security and wireless concepts, routing and switching fundamentals, and configuring simple networks. The A.S. Degree in Computer Programming prepares students for entry-level positions as computer programmers and web developers. The core curriculum covers the software development life-cycle, algorithms, fundamental data structures, database design, and the design, implementation, and testing of computer programs and dynamic websites. The A.S. Degree and Certificate in Computer System Administration prepares students for industry standard certification exams and entry-level positions as computer support technicians and computer system administrators. The core curriculum covers Microsoft server installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance. The Associate of Science in Computer Science for Transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor's degree in Computer Science at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that does accept this degree will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor's degree. This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students taking the required courses for this transfer major must also take the prerequisites for these courses. The combination of the required Computer Science courses and their prerequisites provide an excellent preparation for students majoring in Computer Science at the four-year university level. The A.S. Degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems are articulated with CSU, Chico and are meant to be the first two years of course work for students wanting to transfer to CSU, Chico to complete at least their Bachelor's Degree.
Computer Science as an instructional program has the overarching goals that include:
- Augment instruction capacity to CSCI faculty by (1) full time instructors (minimum) to reduce persistent waitlists and overload condition of all current CSCI faculty.
- Add additional lecture and labratory spaces to every extent possible to synergize all instructional delivery with ENGR and DFT programs.
- Upgrade current lecture and labratory spaces to support instruction
- Attend professional developlment events, education opportunities, externships and trade shows.
- Create a collaborative lecture/lab space to aid instruction and reach underrepressented populations.
Strategy 1 - Full Time Faculty Positions (1) for CSCI
The Computer Science ICT and transfer program areas are currently impacted with recurring waitlists and limitations to enrollments due to a lack of full time faculty to teach additional sections. Hire full time faculty to overcome this shortfall of resources.
The Computer Science program is experiencing a sustained increase in enrollments driven by a multitude of opportunities such as guided pathways development at the high school level, an ever increasing need for effective programming, software development, development operations and ICT sustained interests by students to complete to industry and transfer with the new ADT degree transfer system Computer Science is a documented program that is very difficult to hire and find qualified associate faculty locally. The density of programming and software development is very low in the district's service region. Due to contractual limitations and despite having many programs supported by the CCCO within district facilities, we are prohibited from using the resources of these professionals to assume associate faculty roles. Academic year 2018-2019 has started with (4) full time tenured and tenure-track faculty along with (0) associate faculty in Computer Science – Programming and Software Development and (1) full time tenure-track faculty along with (1) associate faculty in Computer Science – Information Technology. The lack of associate faculty is a sustained condition that has not relented since the retirement of two computer science faculty in 2014. Most recently, this program has lost its last available associate faculty to an adjunct faculty position in the Computer Science Department at CSU Chico. It must be noted that the position taken by the previous associate faculty at Butte is a position that is assigned five active sections. The CSCI – Programming and Software Development program is seeing a sustained wait-list of 10 or more students in multiple sections of key transfer courses such as (but not limited to) CSCI-4, CSCI-20 and CSCI-21. With resources limited to current laboratory space and pedagogical caps set to 25, we cannot meet current demand for courses and continue to delay student completions. The lack of associate faculty is also indicative of the current employment in the local and regional service areas from Sacramento to Weed. Employment demand and current employment is not facilitating the retention of associate faculty and in fact at present the associate faculty “pool” is dry with no candidates in queue. Distance from population centers such as Chico, Redding and Yuba City along with professionals employed during a normal business day have made filling available sections in CSCI with associate faculty all but impossible.
Strategy 2 - Computer Science Facilities
Augment and configure additional laboratory space necessary to resolve impacted program and lack of resource space in which to teach sections that would make with added lab space. The addition of one lab space environment would also centralize the locations of programs such as ENGR and DFT to maximize effectiveness and would synergize all instructional delivery.
CSCI program growth is limited by facility circumstances and require one additional dedicated laboratory area be added to meet growth. In addtion, centralize location of Engineering program lecture and laboratory spaces to every extent possible to synergize all instructional delivery with ENGR and DFT programs. Currently, ENGR has NO dedicated facility and shares space with Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Drafting Technology. One more properly equipped laboratory space is necessary.
Strategy 3 - Update Instructional Equipment and Computing Resources
Replace all equipment and instrumentation to current technology standards of practice of a contemporary computer science, drafting technology, sustainable technologies, engineering for transfer and engineering technology based completion strands.
Contemporary computer science and engineering programs demand the very most in equipment and computing performance including desktops, networking, interconnects and distribution and storage in server-based environments. Current equipment and computing resources DO NOT meet minimum requirements for effective programming. Replace all equipment and instrumentation to current technology standards of practice of a contemporary computer science, drafting technology, sustainable technologies, engineering for transfer and engineering technology based completion strands.
Strategy 4 - Professional Development
Faculty and staff professional development including events, workshops, training, externships and trade shows.
STEM programs mandate a continued pursuit of professional development that extends beyond local resources. Professional development keeps faculty and staff at the leading edge of development of relevant instructional programming, courses, certificates and degrees.
Strategy 5 - Create a collaborative lecture/lab space.
Creation of a collaborative learning environment lecture/lab space to increase successful student outcomes, especially in underrepresented and underserved populations.
Traditional teaching techniques have been shown to be less effective than a more collaborative type teaching techniques. Research has shown that the effectives is even worse in underrepresented and underserved populations. We propose a strategy in which we change our teaching style to a more collaborative style and to also add equipment (desks, chairs, whiteboards, etc) to help facilitate this change in teaching style.
Facilities are one of the limiting factor for the CSCI program. The schedule of CSCI classes is primary on the Main campus and the Chico Center campus however the use of facilities by the DFT and ENGR programs makes scheduling a fundamentally difficult issue term over term. In addition, the limitation of scheduling to avoid current Mathematics Department and the collective Physical Sciences Department makes the limitation of computer-based laboratory space one of the most critical issue to solve for the Department of Computer Sciece to solve in 2019-20.
With the continued development of technology-based programming to CSCI, TOPS codes matched to offerings allowing the potential funding sources including: Perkins funding for CTE program improvement and development and Strong Work Force funding for Integrated Computer Technology (ICT) STEM-based pathway development with regional K-12 districts and high schools.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Computer Science Program | Personnel | $0.00 | $114,000.00 | ||
| Add (1) Full Time CSCI Faculty | The Computer Science program is experiencing a sustained increase in enrollments driven by a multitude of opportunities such as guided pathways development at the high school level, an ever increasing need for effective programming, software development, development operations and ICT sustained interests by students to complete to industry and transfer with the new ADT degree transfer system Computer Science is a documented program that is very difficult to hire and find qualified associate faculty locally. The density of programming and software development is very low in the district's service region. Due to contractual limitations and despite having many programs supported by the CCCO within district facilities, we are prohibited from using the resources of these professionals to assume associate faculty roles. Academic year 2018-2019 has started with (4) full time tenured and tenure-track faculty along with (0) associate faculty in Computer Science � Programming and Software Development and (1) full time tenure-track faculty along with (1) associate faculty in Computer Science � Information Technology. The lack of associate faculty is a sustained condition that has not relented since the retirement of two computer science faculty in 2014. Most recently, this program has lost its last available associate faculty to an adjunct faculty position in the Computer Science Department at CSU Chico. It must be noted that the position taken by the previous associate faculty at Butte is a position that is assigned five active sections. The CSCI � Programming and Software Development program is seeing a sustained wait-list of 10 or more students in multiple sections of key transfer courses such as (but not limited to) CSCI-4, CSCI-20 and CSCI-21. With resources limited to current laboratory space and pedagogical caps set to 25, we cannot meet current demand for courses and continue to delay student completions. The lack of associate faculty is also indicative of the current employment in the local and regional service areas from Sacramento to Weed. Employment demand and current employment is not facilitating the retention of associate faculty and in fact at present the associate faculty �pool� is dry with no candidates in queue. Distance from population centers such as Chico, Redding and Yuba City along with professionals employed during a normal business day have made filling available sections in CSCI with associate faculty all but impossible. |
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| 2 | Computer Science Department | Facilities | $25,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Additional Laboratory Space | CSCI program growth is limited by facility circumstances and require one additional dedicated laboratory area be added to meet growth. In addtion, centralize location of Engineering program lecture and laboratory spaces to every extent possible to synergize all instructional delivery with ENGR and DFT programs. Monies requested will support the remodel of space to accommodate need. |
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| 3 | Computer Science Department | Equipment | $75,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Modify Lab Space to Support Collaborative Learning | Research has shown that a collaborative learning space is more effective for ALL our students. |
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| 4 | Computer Science Department | Equipment | $16,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Upgrade Chairs in MC 125 and MC 146 | The chairs in MC 125 and MC 146 are in various states of disrepair and need to be replaced. |
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| 5 | Computer Science Department | Equipment | $14,500.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Chairs for CHC 232 | The chairs in CHC 232 are in various states of disrepair and need to be replaced. |
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| 6 | Computer Science Program | Operating Expenses | $25,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Professional Development for CSCI Faculty and Staff | STEM programs mandate a continued pursuit of professional development that extends beyond local resources. Professional development keeps faculty and staff at the leading edge of development of relevant instructional programming, courses, certificates and degrees. |
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| 7 | Computer Science Program | Equipment | $75,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Netlabs Licensing | Augment NetLabs online licensing to assure adequate access to support continued Cisco networking education and associated certification preparations. |
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