AA/AS in Computer and Information Sciences, General

This associate degree is meant for students who want to transfer as juniors into bachelor's programs for computer science, plus information systems and similar areas. Mercer has joint admission and articulation arrangements with Rutgers, TCNJ and NJIT, which are nearby schools. The coursework focuses on computation, algorithms and software design, backed by mathematics and laboratory science. Students practice defining a problem, writing specifications and designing programs that perform well, stay reliable and are easy to maintain. They also examine the effects of software on society. Incoming students should have finished secondary school, including four years of math at a pre-college level, and at least a year of science is advised. Students who are not ready for calculus can begin the math sequence at a lower level based on placement testing. Core courses must be passed with a C or better to continue.