Program Description

The field of computer science is one of the most popular academic disciplines within our information society.  Computer Scientists build computer-aided design tools, manage information technology enterprises, and develop business information systems for various industries, including finance and health care, support wide-area, local, and cellular networks, and design embedded computer-controlled products.

The computer science program is a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to the students’ interests and adjusted to the rapid changes in the industry.  The computer science curriculum was designed to satisfy the following criteria:

1. University general education requirements.
2. A common core of computer science courses to ensure a good level of understanding of computer science.
3. A breadth requirement to provide the students with a broad knowledge of the computer science field.
4. A depth requirement to ensure that the students have substantial competence in a concentration area.
5. A senior project experience under the supervision of a faculty member.
6. Elective courses to permit further breadth/depth customization of the student’s program.

The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org

Program Mission

To prepare students with a holistic formation in mathematics, science, computation fundamentals, computers, ethical and legal aspects of computing, languages, design and analysis of algorithms, interface design, database systems and software engineering, capable of joining the workforce as computer scientists and/or pursuing graduate studies.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, graduates from the Computer Science Program will be able to:

1. Participate as key team members in the creation of robust and usable solutions to complex computing problems in any domain.
2. Participate as computer science professionals in leadership positions using appropriate communication skills, contextual awareness, and ethical standards.
3. Perform as entrepreneurs, computer consultants, or providers of computing services and solutions.
4. Stay at the forefront of technological change and innovation by pursuing graduate studies, participating in professional organizations, and/or engaging in self-learning.

Student Outcomes

Career Opportunities

The bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is one of the most popular programs in today’s high-tech, computer oriented academic curriculums. It is ideal for undergraduates that want to obtain professional knowledge and skills that will eventually lead to a career in computer programming or a related field. The bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (CS) will prepare the student with skills that are already of great demand in today’s fast-paced, highly competitive work areas. Related positions are well paid because companies are in need of resources that know how to develop and/or maintain software and hardware components and computer systems. This program is an excellent choice for students who want to continue careers in application development, software engineering, appropriate analysis and design methods, and the development of hardware and software components.

Developmental Studies

All students that request admission and are admitted to the Computer Science Program must show evidence that they have acquired the academic abilities and skills necessary to progress through this major.  Those not demonstrating the complete acquisition of these abilities will be required to take developmental courses.  Abilities and skills are demonstrated through the results of the College Entrance Examination Board Test, results in PUPR’s placement test, previous university experience, other tests, or criteria.  The courses are designed to help students overcome deficiencies in languages, mathematics, and science. These developmental courses are in addition to the 122 credits of the Computer Science Program.  The courses are awarded their corresponding credits according to contact hours.  The courses are the following:

Developmental Studies Component
(Maximum of 24 credit-hours)

Laboratories

The ECECS Department provides undergraduate laboratory and research in the following topics: Electrical Measurements, Electronics, Power Electronics, Communications, Logic Circuits, Process Control & Instrumentation, Electromechanical Energy Conversion, Power System Analysis, Power System Protection, Computer Programming, Computer Interfacing, Computer Architecture, Computer Networks, Real Time Digital Signal Processing, and Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing.

Student Organizations

The students enrolled in the department may become members of the following professional and student organizations: ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) – is the world’s first education and scientific computing society. Founded in 1947, ACM is a major force in advancing the skills of information technology professionals and students worldwide.

Degree Offered

PUPR offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) degree. In order to earn the BSCS degree, the student must complete the following requirements:

Minimum Graduation Requirements

 14             Credit-hours in Mathematics

 14             Credit-hours in Basic Sciences

 18             Credit-hours in Socio-Humanistic Studies and Languages

  3             Credit-hours in Engineering Sciences

 58             Credit-hours in Computer Science Core Component

  6             Credit-hours in Computer Science Program Electives

  6             Credit-hours in Free Electives

  3             Credit-hours in Management

122           Total Credit-hours

Computer Science Curriculum

(122 Credit-Hours)

Mathematics Component
(14 Credit-Hours)

Basic Sciences Component
(14 Credit-Hours)

Socio-Humanistic Studies and Languages Component
(18 Credit-Hours)

Engineering Sciences Component
(3 Credit-Hours)

Management Courses
(3 Credit-Hours)

Computer Science Core Component
(58 Credit-Hours)

Computer Science Technical Electives
(Must take 6 credits in technical electives to complete graduation requirements)

Notes: A student is required to select six credit-hours of available technical electives in order to acquire additional skills that reinforce the student’s knowledge in a specific area of interest.  Availability of courses CS 4902, CS 4904 and CS 4990, as well as COE 4990 for the Computer Science Program students will be determined by the Department Chairman, depending on the specific teaching or research topic.

Free Electives
(6 Credit-Hours)
Select 6 credit-hours of free electives in any area

Computer Science Program Curriculum Sequence

(122 Credit-Hours)

First Year
1st Year – First Quarter

1^st Year – Second Quarter

1^st Year – Third Quarter

Summer – First Year
First Quarter

Second Year
2nd Year – First Quarter

2^nd Year – Second Quarter

2^nd Year – Third Quarter

Summer – Second Year
First Quarter

Third Year
3^rd Year – First Quarter

3^rd Year – Second Quarter

3^rd Year – Third Quarter

Program Courses

Computer Engineering and Computer Science Courses

(Go to the ECECS Department Courses for the Description)

CECS       2004                                    Discrete Structures

CECS       2200                                    Computer Programming Fundamentals

CECS       2202                                    Computer Programming I

CECS       2203                                    Computer Programming I Laboratory

CECS       2222                                    Computer Programming II

CECS       2223                                    Computer Programming II Laboratory

CECS       3200                                    Assembly Language Programming

CECS       3202                                    Visual-Oriented Programming

CECS       3210                                    Advanced Programming

CECS       3212                                    Data Structures

CECS       3214                                    Internet Programming I

CECS       3216                                    Machine Learning

CECS       3218                                    Data Engineering for Machine Learning I

CECS       3220                                    Human-Computer Interaction

CECS       3234                                    UNIX Operating System

CECS       3302                                    Data Communications

CECS       4200                                    Programming Languages

CECS       4202                                    Database Systems

CECS       4204                                    Software Engineering

CECS       4206                                    Design and Analysis of Algorithms

CECS       4208                                    Computer Forensics

CECS       4210                                    Ethical Hacking

CECS       4214                                    Network Security

CECS       4216                                    Reverse Engineering

CECS       4218                                    Introduction to Game Design

CECS       4220                                    E-Commerce

CECS       4224                                    Deep Learning

CECS       4226                                    Computer Graphics

CECS       4228                                    Computational Theory

CECS       4230                                    Operating Systems

CECS       4232                                    Data Engineering for Machine Learning II

CECS       4236                                    Software Requirements Engineering

CECS       4240                                    Real-Time Operating Systems

CECS       4248                                    Software Testing and Verification

CECS       4911                                    Computer Engineering Seminar I

CECS       4912                                    Computer Engineering Seminar II

Computer Science Courses

(Go to the ECECS Department Courses for the Description)

CS           2302                                    Digital Logic for Computer Science Majors

CS           3010                                    Numerical Analysis for Computer Science Majors

CS           3300                                    Computer Architecture for Computer Science Majors

CS           4002                                    Computer Science Project I

CS           4022                                    Computer Science Project II

CS           4902                                    Undergraduate Research in Computer Science

CS           4904                                    Undergraduate Research in Computer Science II

CS           4990                                    Special Topics in Computer Science

Computer Engineering Courses

(Go to the ECECS Department Courses for the Description)

COE        4330                                    Computer Networks

COE        4331                                    Computer Networks Laboratory

Other Department Courses

(Go to the Business Administration Department Courses for the Description)

MGMT   4660                                    Entrepreneurship

Faculty

BERRÍOS, YARAIDA – Adjunct Professor; MBA, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Orlando Campus, 2012; MEM, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Orlando Campus, 2009; BSEE, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan Campus, 2004. E-mail: yberrios@pupr.edu

DE LA ROSA MALDONADO, ISMAEL – Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic University of PR, Hato Rey PR, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR. E-mail idelaRosa@pupr.edu  

GIL, DALIA M. – Adjunct Professor; Computer Engineering & Computer Science; PhD, Havana Polytechnic Institute, Havana, Cuba, 1989; BSEE, Havana Polytechnic Institute, Havana, Cuba, 1982. E-mail: dgil@pupr.edu

GUIGOU, ÚLISES – Associate Professor; Computer Engineering & Computer Science; MBA, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Miami Campus, 2016; MSME, Odessa National Maritime University, UA, 1983; BSME, Odessa National Maritime University, UA, 1982. E-mail: uguigou@pupr.edu

NEVÁREZ AYALA, FÉLIX J. – Associate Professor, Computer Engineering; PhD in Engineering & Applied Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, PR, 2019; MEngME, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 2015; MSEE, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1995; BSEE, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1992; BS Physics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1989. E-mail: fnevarez@pupr.edu  

PONS FONTANA, CARLOS A.   ̶   Associate Professor; Assistant to the Department Head in Student Affairs; Ph.D., Carlos Albizu University, San Juan, 2004; MEM, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1994; BSIE, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1986; MS Psych., Centro de Estudios Postgraduados, 1975; BA Psych, University of Puerto Rico, 1972. E-mail: cpons@pupr.edu

QUINTERO, ARMANDO – Adjunct Professor; MBA, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Orlando Campus, 2017; MEM, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Orlando Campus, 2016; BSEE Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Orlando Campus, 2014. E-mail: aquintero@pupr.edu

RIOLLANO HERNANDEZ, JOSE D. – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus, Mayaguez, PR. E-mail: jriollano@pupr.edu

SEPÚLVEDA, FLORENCIA – Adjunct Professor (Orlando Campus); Master of Science in Mathematics Education, Nova Southeastern University, Orlando, Florida; Master of Arts in Education Management, Strayer University, Orlando, Florida; Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay. E-mail: fsepulveda@pupr.edu

SOTO, RALPH A.- Master of Engineering Management, Polytechnic University- Orlando Campus, Orlando FL, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic University- Orlando Campus, Orlando, Florida: rsoto@pupr.edu

TALAVERA, CLAUDIA E. – Master’s in mathematics science, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Master’s in computer science, Polytechnic University of PR, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Bachelor’s in computer science information assurance and Security, Polytechnic University of PR, San Juan, Puerto Rico. E-mail: ctalavera@pupr.edu

 TEIXEIRA ABARNO, MARVI – Professor; Electrical Engineering and Physical Oceanography; PhD, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1999; MSEE, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 1994; BSEE, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, 1989. Registered Professional Engineer (PE) Puerto Rico. E-mail: mteixeir@pupr.edu

TOVAR, JUAN CARLOS – Master of Science Public Affairs; Turabo University, Orlando, Florida, Master of Business Administration; Metropolitan University, Orlando, Florida, Master of Systems Engineering; Polytechnic University Institute “Santiago Marino”, Maracay-Aragua, Venezuela. E-mail: jtovar@pupr.edu

VICENTE LÓPEZ, LUIS M. – Department Head, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering; Communications; PhD, Missouri-Columbia, MI, 2009; MSEE, Florida International University, 1996; BS Telecommunications, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, 1990.

E-mail: lvicente@pupr.edu

ZAHAROV, VIKTOR – Associate Professor; PhD in Electrical Engineering Odessa Polytechnic University , Odessa, Ukraine; BSEE, MSEE, Odessa, Ukraine; Odessa Industrial College, Odessa, Ukraine. E-mail: vzaharov@pupr.edu