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Nonmajor Options

Looking for computing classes to help prepare you for life in the Information Age? This page will explain what's available in the Computer Science department, and help you choose the classes that will best fit your background and your personal educational goals.

Take a look at the computing courses below, then see our recommendations for specific majors.

Computing Course Overview

The Department of Computer Science offers computing classes for non-majors in the following areas:

  • Computer Science
    These classes enable you to write software to solve real-world problems and automate tedious processes.
  • Information Technology
    These classes teach you to set up and support computer technology.

Looking for a course in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Powerpoint? BJU does not offer courses in basic computer applications such as word processing or spreadsheets, but if you need help in these areas, we recommend that you consider enrolling in online offerings from a site like lynda.com (free to Greenville Library cardholders). Also, you might consider taking advantage of self-teach books available in the Mack Library.

Computer Science

  • CpS 105 – Computer Science Foundations
    If you want to know more about computer science but are not sure what class to take, this is a good place to start. This class introduces the field of computer science by exploring topics such as networking, algorithms, information representation, and programming.
  • CpS 109 – Introduction to Programming
    CpS 110 – Object-Oriented Programming I
    These classes introduce you to programming in the popular languages Visual Basic for Applications (CpS 109) and Python (CpS 110). In CpS 109, you learn to create applications in Excel using Visual Basic for Applications. CpS 110 introduces console and web application development, covers more material, including object-oriented development, and moves at a faster pace. CpS 110 is a gateway to more advanced Computer Science classes, so if you think you might want more than the basics and you meet the prerequisites, CpS 110 is a good starting point.
  • CpS 225 - Business Systems
    This class helps you apply computer programming skills to the business environment. Automate Microsoft Office with VBA, learn to write web applications in JavaScript and ASP, and learn to script with Powershell. Includes an introduction to processing XML, the standard data exchange format of modern business applications.
  • CpS 301 - Introduction to Database Management
    A core class taken by all computing majors, this course teaches database design theory and practice. You also learn to extract information from databases using sophisticated SQL queries. Every business and organization needs someone who can organize and manage information effectively using database technology; why not take this class and find out how to do the job right?

Information Technology

CpS 201 and CpS 202 teach you how to install and configure two popular operating systems: Windows and Linux. In both lectures and hands-on labs, you learn the ins and outs of managing user security, troubleshooting, automating tasks with batch files, and small office / home networking.

Supplementing Your Major

Math Majors

Consider taking CpS 110 and CpS 210.

Business Majors

If you meet the prerequisties for CpS 110, consider taking CpS 110 and either CpS 225 or CpS 301. Both Python and database skills are extremely useful in a number of business applications.

If you don’t qualify to take CpS 110 but you meet the prerequisites for CpS 109, consider taking CpS 109 and CpS 201. Knowledge of Visual Basic will give you the ability to automate repetitive tasks and is a highly valuable skill in the business world, and CpS 201 will increase your ability to perform basic IT support tasks, which can be especially helpful if you start your own business or work in a small company with no on-site IT personnel.

Natural Science Majors

We have identified a sequence of 3 of our classes that we believe would significantly enhance a science degree from BJU. We’re calling this sequence the “Computational Science Sequence.” Read the Computational Science Sequence Flyer for more details.