Computer Programming

The department of Computer Science (CS) offers a Computer Science AS-T degree and Computer Programmer Certificate. See the respective major sheets for additional information about the specific certificates and degrees. Completion of 60 semester units or 90quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: (A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements. (B) A minimum of 18 semester units or27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district. (2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0. A grade of “C” or better is required in all certificate, major and major elective courses.  A grade of “B” or better is sometimes required for transfer, make sure to always see a counselor to plan your educational path.

The Computer Science Certificate and Degree Programs are designed to provide students with skills in computer programming to enable graduates to gain employment as an entry-level programmer, and have the ability to transfer to a 4-year university. Courses will emphasize skills on how to organize a computer program, and how to program in several different languages such as Java, Python and C++.  Hands-on project-based learning is utilized, incorporating industry and educational standards.  Students will acquire skills and create a portfolio of projects that can be used for further advancement in the fields of Computer Technology and Information Systems, Engineering, Electricity-Electronics, Math, Computer Science and Ag Tech.

We estimate that the growth rate for this degree will match our Computer Science AS-T degree; shown below is our growth rate for the number of CS AS-T degrees awarded, and enrollment in the CS classes. 

Course includes are only the courses that are a part of theCore courses for the Computer Science AS-T degree and Drone TechnologyCertificate, and do not include the MIS or CTIS classes; CPSC-06,CPSC-14/ENGR-14, CPSC-07/MATH-07, CPSC-39, CPSC-42, CPSC-49, CPSC-17(DRON-10),CPSC-18(DRON-11).

We estimate 20-30 students in the first cohort and the number of students to follow the same trajectory as the charts above ;growing at least 10-30% per year.

The Computer Programming Certificate is intended to prepare students to become a Computer Programmer at a company or on a research team that utilizes computer programming to solve problems.  It gives students skills in research and completion of Computational Science based projects.

This Computer Programming Certificate is inline with Merced College’s mission: 

Growing our community through education and workforce training:

·        lifelong learning

·        basic skills

·        career technical education

·        transfer

·        degree/certificate programs

Ensuring student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, institutional effectiveness, and student achievement.

With the Computer Programming Certificate, the students will learn how to use computer programming to solve problems to real world problems. This can also lead for a student to want to further their knowledge and then take other classes in one of the overlapping pathways of Computer Science, Engineering, Electronics and Electricity, Drone Technology, and Computer Technology and Information Systems.  In getting a Computer Programming Certificate a student will acquire computational science, electrical engineering, communication, math and science skills.   The student will also learn about lifelong learning and be trained to enter the workforce in a Computer Programming and Technology field.  The students learn the basics and advanced uses of programming and can pass industry Computer Programming Certifications such as Oracle Certified Foundations Associate, Java or C++ Certified Associate Programmer from C++Institute.  The first level programming course is also aligned with the College Board’s Computer Science A Advanced Placement (AP) standardized High School course.  Student’s learn how to design, create, manage, repair, and maintain software running within a system to solve a problem.  As well a show to choose the correct technology to solve the problem, and how to solve that problem.

Half of the classes that are part of this certificate are based on c-id descriptors and hence are transferable to four-year institutions as Computer Science, or Engineering courses. The Computer Technology and Information Systems courses are c-id descriptors for “Model Curricula”, and will eventually transfer if a four year school adopts the course; though as of yet they are not directly articulated to any classes because CTIS is so new that 4 year institutions do not have similar classes. These classes as well as the Electronics and Electricity classes are a pathway to a Certificate within these fields.  Students taking these classes and achieving this certificate have an edge when they are applying to internships, REU’s or skilled tech opportunities in our area.

The program requirements we need for the Computer Programmer Certificate would be a computer lab with equipment able to run the needed software and hardware effectively.  We need funds for replacement parts and software updates.