SOS is a two-quarter,16-credit per quarter, upper division applied Computer Science program. It focuses on complex software systems and software engineering. The goal of this program is for students to learn the concepts and skills needed to build, maintain, and analyze complex software, network, and information systems. Problem-solving is a key ability.
The topics for winter will be Networking, Web Programming, Applications of AI to Cybersecurity, and Project.
The topics in spring will be Operating Systems, Data Science, Database Systems, and Group Project.
Networking will cover how the Internet works, the 4-layer TCP/IP stack, and the major protocols at each layer. This will be important if you are interested in Network Security.
Web Programming will cover both front-end an back-end development. You will learn the tools in the context of programming your own Website. There will be a brief review of HTML and CSS, but most of the focus will be on programming.
The Applications of AI to Cybersecurity will cover several ways in which LLMs have been used both in offense and defense. We will assume a working knowledge of C.
The Group Project will emphasize the principles of software engineering. You will be able to choose the project and programming language, but it will be decided by the group.
This full-time daytime program will be taught on the Olympia campus. Students who need to participate fully remotely should contact the faculty to discuss that option. There is a 12-credit option and in spring there will also be an 8-credit option so that students can also take 4-credit courses, such as Application Security (winter), Network Security (spring), and Security Policies and Procedures (spring). Students interested in these options should plan to meet with faculty in week 1, to determine the modules they will follow (which will impact their schedule).
Winter Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 - Networking
4 – Web Programming
4 – Applying Generative AI to Cybersecurity
4 - Software Construction Project
Spring Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 – Operating Systems
4 - Data Science
4 – Database Systems
4 - Team Software Engineering Project
Registration
Students are expected to have coursework in discrete math, computer architecture, data structures, and one year of computer programming. These prerequisites are covered by completion of Computer Science Foundations and Data Structures and Algorithms, or equivalent courses elsewhere. Please contact faculty if you have some but not all of the prerequisites to see if there are parts of the program you can take, or if you are unsure if you meet the prerequisites.
Students should email the faculty member, Richard Weiss (weissr@evergreen.edu) with a brief statement describing how they have met the prerequisites.
Students hoping to join the program in spring quarter should contact the faculty member, Richard Weiss (weissr@evergreen.edu) to discuss whether they have course work or experience equivalent to the winter quarter material.
Academic Details
Studies or careers in computer science, software engineering, and technology use and development in an application area.
All 32 credits of the work in this program are designed to be upper-division math/science. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will earn upper-division credit in computer science.
Schedule
Revisions
| Date | Revision |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-16 | Program description and anticipated credit equivalencies for both Winter and Spring updated |
| 2025-10-21 | Program description revised |