CAC/ABET Curriculum Criteria

Taken, verbatim, from the 2007-2008 Criteria for Accrediting Computer Science Programs, Section IV.

Intent

The curriculum is consistent with the program's documented objectives. It combines technical requirements with general education requirements and electives to prepare students for a professional career in the computer field, for further study in computer science, and for functioning in modern society. The technical requirements include up-to-date coverage of basic and advanced topics in computer science as well as an emphasis on science and mathematics.

Standards

General

IV-1.	The curriculum must include at least 40 semester hours of up-to-date study in computer science topics.
IV-2.	The curriculum must contain at least 30 semester hours of study in mathematics and science as specified below under Mathematics and Science.
IV-3.	The curriculum must include at least 30 semester hours of study in humanities, social sciences, arts and other disciplines that serve to broaden the background of the student.
IV-4.	The curriculum must be consistent with the documented objectives of the program.

Computer Science

IV-5.	All students must take a broad-based core of fundamental computer science material consisting of at least 16 semester hours.
IV-6.	The core materials must provide basic coverage of algorithms, data structures, software design, concepts of programming languages, and computer organization and architecture.
IV-7.	Theoretical foundations, problem analysis, and solution design must be stressed within the program’s core materials.
IV-8.	Students must be exposed to a variety of programming languages and systems and must become proficient in at least one higher-level language.
IV-9.	All students must take at least 16 semester hours of advanced course work in computer science that provides breadth and builds on the core to provide depth.

Mathematics and Science

IV-10.	The curriculum must include at least 15 semester hours of mathematics.
IV-11.	Course work in mathematics must include discrete mathematics, differential and integral calculus, and probability and statistics.
IV-12.	The curriculum must include at least 12 semester hours of science.
IV-13.	Course work in science must include the equivalent of a two-semester sequence in a laboratory science for science or engineering majors.
IV-14.	Science course work additional to that specified in Standard IV-13 must be in science courses or courses that enhance the student's ability to apply the scientific method.

Additional Areas of Study

IV-15.	The oral communications skills of the student must be developed and applied in the program.
IV-16.	The written communications skills of the student must be developed and applied in the program.
IV-17.	There must be sufficient coverage of social and ethical implications of computing to give students an understanding of a broad range of issues in this area.