Computer Science

Debra T. Burhans, R. Mark Meyer, Department of Computer Science, Directors.

As computers increase their impact on all areas of life, knowledge of how to apply computers to the task at hand is an increasingly important skill. The Computer Science Certificate Program gives students a strong foundation in computer science concepts without sacrifice to their primary field of study. Students who complete the certificate program will have an in-depth knowledge of programming, an understanding of computer hardware and theory and advanced study in topics related to the student’s future plans.

The Computer Science Certificate Program is a 29-credit-hour curriculum designed to be taken independently or in conjunction with another degree at Canisius College. There are both majors and minors in computer science for students who would like a greater or lesser background in the field.

Qualifications for the Certificate Program
Students interested in earning a Computer Science Certificate apply through the program director and complete a  Computer Science Declaration application form.  This form is available in the Computer Science Department, WTC 207.

Accepted students will be assigned an advisor in the department.  The performance of all certificate students is subject to review relative to their continuation in the program. Academic record (at least a 2.0 overall G.P.A.), computer science course record (at least a 2.0 G.P.A. in all computer science courses and labs), a grade of at least B- in both CSC111 and CSC 111L, and the demonstration of necessary skills will be the basis of the evaluation. Students not meeting these requirements should work with their advisor to discuss possible options.

Computer Science Certificate Program: (8 courses)

One course from: 3 credits
   BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics
   CSC 107 Computer Programming for Science
   CSC 108 Introduction to Web Computing
   CSC 109 A Robotics Introduction to Computer Science
   CSC 110 Introduction to Computing
   CSC 127 Introduction to Game Programming
CSC 111 Introduction to Programming 4 credits
CSC 212 Data and Files Structure 4 credits
CSC 213 Large Scale Programming 4 credits
CSC 253 Computer Hardware 3 credits
CSC 281 Automata and Algorithms 3 credits
Computer Science electives: two 300-400 level CSC courses 8 credits



Women’s Studies

Dr. Jane E. Fisher, Department of English, Director.

Women’s Studies is designed for students planning careers in which diversity is an important aspect (e.g. business, law, health related professions or education) and for students who want to enrich their understanding of how gender roles have shaped their world. For this reason, the Women’s Studies Program is multi-disciplinary and comparative.

All Women’s Studies courses except WST 201 are offered in traditional academic departments and meet the criteria established by those departments with regard to field studies or majors. The program provides the student with a multi-disciplinary program in place of free electives and a strategy for coordinating a number of courses in the core curriculum to reflect an interest in gender and diversity.

The Women’s Studies Program offers a Certificate and a Minor which are described below. The director of the program will assist students as they choose appropriate courses to complete either the Women’s Studies Certificate Program or the Minor.

Qualifications for the minor and certificate:
A grade of C or better is required in WST 201

Student Learning Goals
At the conclusion of the WST Program, WST Certificate students will be:

Goal 1:  Original thinkers who can re-envision how gender roles interact with social structures, time, race or ethnicity. Students will:
A. Distinguish the difference between sex and gender. 
B. Interpret the ways social structures (such as religion and social class) impact women and men’s lives. 
C. Explain how historical context interacts with gender roles. 
D. Examine how race or ethnicity interacts with gender roles.   
E. Analyze how socially-constructed gender norms  influence power relationships experienced by individuals.

Goal 2:  Problem solvers who investigate culture and society using the lens of gender and social justice. Students will:
A.  Evaluate human interactions using gender as a framework;
B.  Apply gender-based analysis to offer solutions to issues in society and culture

Women's Studies Certificate Program:

WST 201 Introduction to Women’s Studies 3 credits
Women’s Studies electives: seven courses approved  
for Women’s Studies credit
21 credits
TOTAL (8 courses)  24 credits

Women's Studies Minor:
WST 201 Introduction to Women’s Studies 3 credits
Humanities electives: two courses approved
for Women’s Studies credit
6 credits
Social and natural sciences electives: 2 courses approved
for Women’s Studies credit
6 credits
TOTAL   (5 courses) 15 credits

COURSES 2009-2011

WST 201 Introduction to Women’s Studies                3 credits
An interdisciplinary introduction to the field that focuses on how gender roles have been impacted by historical and cultural circumstances, concluding with an emphasis on contemporary gender and diversity issues.

WST 498 Internship

WST 499 Independent Study

Courses approved for Women’s Studies credit are as follows. Course descriptions may be found in the appropriate departmental listing.

BIO 221 Biology of Women
CLS 300 Roman Law (Oral Communication Attribute)
COM 304 Family Communication
COM 327 Gender Differences in Communication
CRJ 337 Violence and the Family
ENG 223  Images of Women in Literature and Film (Field 3)
ENG 311 Women Writers
ENG 313 Literature and Psychology
FAH 159 Women and Art (Field 3)
HIS 211 Women in the Western World (Field 4)
HIS 290 The Family in American History
HIS 367 Slavery
HIS 395 History of American Women
PHI 358 Contemporary Philosophy
PHI 382 Gender and Philosophy (Field 2)
PHI 404 Women and Work
PSY 318 Social Psychology
PSY 329 Leadership and Motivation
RST 420 Feminine Role in Religion
RST 345  Bio-Moral Problems (Field 1)
SOC 291 Gender and Society (Field 5)
SOC 359 Women and Crime
SOC 390 Marriage and Families