Computer Application Development BAS

College of Sciences
Undergraduate major / Bachelor of Applied Science

About this program

Metropolitan State's Computer Application Development (CApp) major provides a foundation of the conceptual and practical knowledge in the various aspects of application design and implementation. Course work to develop analytical and problem-solving skills is complemented by an experiential component.

The CApp major enables students to become developers who can deploy appropriate technology to solve problems in businesses and organizations. Individuals with strong backgrounds of technical and analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and project development knowledge are in demand as the information needs of the world continue to grow.

CApp majors can go on to pursue careers as web developers, database application developers, enterprise application developers, and general application programmers.

Student outcomes

A student graduating from the program will have the ability to:  

  • program in several modern high-level and special-purpose languages (including an object-oriented language, web-related languages (client and server), and SQL) to implement a computer-based system, component, or program to meet desired needs, working either independently or in groups;
  • use state-of-the art tools and technologies and best programming practices and standards in the development of applications;
  • use current computing knowledge, techniques, skills, and software tools to analyze a problem, determine and document user needs, create an effective project plan, and document program design and implementation;
  • effectively add a solution into an already-existing user environment;
  • assimilate smoothly into professional working environments and conduct themselves professionally;
  • engage in continuing professional development, including the learning of new general-purpose and special-purpose programming languages independently; and
  • analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society. 

Enrolling in this program

Program eligibility requirements

Students expressing interest in the Computer Application Development BAS when they apply for admission to the university will be assigned an academic advisor in the College of Sciences and will be given pre-major status.

To be eligible for acceptance to the Computer Application Development major, students must submit a College of Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in ICS 141 and MATH 215 or transfer equivalents.
  • Demonstrated competency in Java either through prerequisite coursework (e.g., ICS 141) or by passing a Java competency exam.
  • Complete the General Education Writing Requirement (GELS Goal I, Part I).
  • Completion of prerequisite courses (see below) with a grade of C- or better.

Students who do not meet the requirements above or are on academic probation will not be accepted to the major. Students not accepted to the major will not be allowed to take advanced courses in the discipline.

Current students: Declare your program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Computer Application Development BAS now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Computer Application Development BAS

Program requirements

Students learn to program in ICS 140 Computational Thinking with Programming and ICS 141 Programming with Objects using Python and Java programming languages, and learn client-side web development skills in ICS 225 Web Design and Implementation. Mathematics courses should be taken concurrently with lower-level computer science courses. Students should note individual course prerequisites and enroll in the proper sequence of courses. All prerequisite courses should be completed before upper division (300-level) classes are taken in the major.

Transfer credit for prerequisite courses is common, as is demonstrating competency through previous work experience.

Programming skills erode when left unused for long periods of time. As a consequence, programming classes taken more than five years ago may not be applied to meet the requirements for this major.  Since programming ability is crucial for success as an application developer, the ICS Department invites students without recent transcripted credits in programming courses for one-on-one sessions with their advisor to discuss their programming background.

Students may take waiver exams for introductory courses to help determine their appropriate placement in the introductory programming sequence.

Students must do a residency consisting of six-credits of ICS 350I Information and Computer Sciences Individualized Internship. These 6 credits must span either two or three semesters. Fusion IT Residencies are one option to meet the internship requirements for the CApp major.
 

Lower-Division/Upper-Division Elective Courses 

A student must take a minimum of 20 credits of major electives as part of the CApp major, of which at least 12 must be at the upper division.  All 200, 300, and 400-level ICS courses that are not required for the major may be taken as electives (assuming the student has completed the necessary prerequisites), with the following exceptions:  ICS 381, ICS 390, CFS 499, ICS 499.

A minimum of 20 semester credits of major requirements must be completed at Metropolitan State. At least 24 credits of coursework must be completed at the upper division.

A class used to meet program requirements cannot be used as an elective. 

Courses required for your specific program are listed in course requirements section of this page. They include prerequisite, foundation, core and elective courses. Contact your advisor with questions concerning your degree plan.

Course requirements

Prerequisites (16 credits)

College Math introduction (4 credits)

Choose one

MATH 115 College Algebra

4 credits

This course develops the fundamental concepts of algebra with an emphasis on the classification and analysis of linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. Applications to the natural and social sciences are given throughout. It aims to provide insights into the nature and utility of mathematics, and helps students develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Full course description for College Algebra

MATH 120 Precalculus

4 credits

This course is designed to prepare students for calculus. Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; the algebra of functions; multiple function representations; and an introduction to analytic geometry.

Full course description for Precalculus

ICS 140 Computational Thinking with Programming

4 credits

An introduction to the formulation of problems and developing and implementing solutions for them using a computer. Students analyze user requirements, design algorithms to solve them and translate these designs to computer programs. The course also provides an overview of major areas within the computing field. Topics include algorithm design, performance metrics, programming languages and paradigms, programming structures, number representation, Boolean algebra, computer system organization, data communications and networks, operating systems, compilers and interpreters, cloud computing, data analytics, mobile computing, internet of things, and artificial intelligence) database, internet, security, privacy, ethics, and other societal and legal issues. Lab work and homework assignments involving flow charting tools and programming using a language such as Python form an integral part of the course.

Full course description for Computational Thinking with Programming

ICS 141 Programming with Objects

4 credits

Structure, design, and implementation of object-oriented computer programs. Topics include objects, classes, GUI, and layout managers. Introduction to containment, inheritance, and polymorphism. Programming projects involving multiple classes. Emphasis on methods, parameter passing, and arrays of objects. Exploration of problem-solving and algorithm-design techniques using pseudocode, Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagrams, and simple patterns. Design of good test cases and debugging techniques.

Full course description for Programming with Objects

ICS 225 Web Design and Implementation

4 credits

This course focuses on how to design and implement information services over the Internet from the client side. The course focuses on both usability and client-side scripting. Topics include the principles, strategies and policies of web page design, including the rules of good interface design, human factors, ethical concerns and information security. Through labs and programming projects, students also learn how to use current scripting and markup languages and how to employ state-of-the-art tools to embed interactive pages into Web-based applications.

Full course description for Web Design and Implementation

Requirements (120 credits)

Core (14 credits)

ICS 251 IT Work Skills

2 credits

This course prepares students for effective employment in the IT workplace. Through readings, activities, case studies, and assignments, the student will develop competency with interpersonal skills, teamwork, professionalism, adaptability, flexibility, communication, planning, organizing, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving and decision-making.

Full course description for IT Work Skills

ICS 311 Database Management Systems

4 credits

Covers concepts and methods in the definition, creation and management of databases. Emphasis is placed on usage of appropriate methods and tools to design and implement databases to meet identified business needs. Topics include conceptual, logical and physical database design theories and techniques, such as use of Entity Relationship diagrams, query tools and SQL; responsibilities of data and database administrators; database integrity, security and privacy; and current and emerging trends. Use of database management systems such as MySQL. Coverage of HCI (Human Computer Interaction) topics. Development of GUI front ends to databases with application of HCI principles to provide a high level usability experience. Overlap: ICS 311T Database Management Systems.

Full course description for Database Management Systems

Client Server Computing

Choose one

ICS 325 Internet Application Development

4 credits

This course focuses on how to design and establish information services over the Internet from the server side. Topics include advanced concepts and issues on Internet architecture, server-side design strategies, current technologies and Internet security. Through labs and programming projects, students learn how to use current scripting and markup languages to build nontrivial state-of-the-art applications.

Full course description for Internet Application Development

ICS 425 Client/Server Architectures

4 credits

This course is a study of scaling client/server applications enterprise-wide. The course examines why ordinary client/server tools do not scale enterprise wide, and examines the extensions necessary in DB linkage, OS extensions, and networking connections necessary for scaling. The MVC II (Model-View-Controller) design pattern and other useful design patterns will be used to explain typical architectural approaches.

Full course description for Client/Server Architectures

ICS 370 Software Design Models

4 credits

The course focuses on how to design and build process, object and event models that are translatable into project specifications and design. Topics include an overview of systems analysis and design; a framework for systems architecture; design and development using data modeling; object modeling, entities, relationships, attributes, scope rules and influences; and event models, messaging and application activation.

Full course description for Software Design Models

Residency (6 credits)

Students must do a residency consisting of six-credits of ICS 350I Information and Computer Sciences Individualized Internship. These 6 credits must span either two or three semesters.

Electives (20 credits)

A student must take a minimum of 20 credits of major electives as part of the CApp major, of which at least 12 must be at the upper division.All 200, 300, and 400-level ICS courses that are not required for the major may be taken as electives (assuming the student has completed the necessary prerequisites), with the following exceptions: ICS 381, ICS 390, CFS 499, ICS 499.