Student Resources

Our student resources are committed to empowering you with the resources you need to excel along your academic journey. Our comprehensive suite of student resources is designed to foster success, providing support, guidance and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you're looking for academic assistance, career guidance, or ways to get involved in the vibrant CCSE community at KSU, you'll find a wealth of services and tools to help you thrive. Explore the various opportunities available to you as a CCSE student and embark on a path to success in the dynamic world of computing and software engineering.

  • Welcome to the heart of academic support within the College of Computing and Software Engineering at Kennesaw State. Our dedicated team of academic advisors is here to guide you on your educational journey, ensuring that you make the most of your time here. Whether you're a prospective student exploring program options or a current student seeking guidance on course selection, degree planning, or career development, our advisors are committed to providing you with the expertise and resources you need to thrive in the dynamic fields of computing and software engineering.

    Set up your advising appointment today to begin your path to success, with personalized major decisions and course guidance along the way.

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  • Good planning is an integral part of success. Wondering where to start and what you need in order to plan your upcoming semesters? The CCSE Academic Advising Team is here to help you plan, yet we cannot do that without your input.

    1. Before you start jotting down courses, think of what else is happening in your life – work, family, self-care, etc. and how much time per week you can devote to college. Divide the weekly number of hours you can devote to school by 3. The resulting number is a rough approximation of the credit hours you should aim to take for the semester you are planning. If you want to be a full-time student doing between 12 and 16 credits per semester, you should have available about 36 – 48 hours per week. If considering taking classes during summer semesters, please keep in mind that the summer workload is double, as the semester is only 8 weeks (general education classes are offered in 4-week sessions as well). 6 credits during the summer feel like 12 credits do in spring and fall, i.e. require on average 36 hours per week to attend class and do all course-related work. View our useful time management tips and apps.
    2. Log in to Owl Express and pull up DegreeWorks. Check that your student records look alright - I.e. all prior college coursework, including AP credit, CLEP credit, dual enrollment credit, transfer credit and courses you have taken at KSU are reflected there. Take note of your outstanding requirements. 
    3. Get a printout of the curriculum sheet for your major for the appropriate catalog year. If you are not sure what catalog year you are on, consult DegreeWorks. You can print your own curriculum sheet or pick up one from the CCSE Academic Advising Office. The human brain processes information on paper an on screen differently, and we recommend you have a physical printout. 
    4. Pull up the permanent schedule – it shows you which CCSE courses are guaranteed to be offered during which semester. While some classes are offered every semester, others are not.  When planning the upcoming semester, you may also consult Degree Works/OwlExpress for class availability – it gets posted there before the start of registration. 
    5. Start planning – the curriculum sheet shows you the prerequisites for each class. You can see them in DegreeWorks as well, by clicking on any class listed as an outstanding requirement.  Before you can register for a class, you need to have completed or to be currently enrolled and expecting to complete its prerequisite. Some classes have co-requisites – those you can take concurrently or need to have taken them previously. A good plan usually will mix major classes with general education classes each semester. It will mix major classes with general education classes. 
    6. Consider planning at least two semesters ahead. It is best to plan all the way to graduation – your plan will most likely change along the way, but you won't find yourself stuck with no classes to take, I.e. missing important prerequisites. You may use this planning template
    7. If you are doing a minor, consult the academic catalog for the requirements of your minor. If you are doing a double major, make sure you plan with both majors in mind.   
    8. Now that you have your draft, arrange to discuss it with a CCSE Academic Advisor. It is always best to schedule an appointment (on campus or distance, whatever works better for you) and actually discuss your plan, rather than simply emailing your advisor with a request to review it. Make sure you bring a paper copy of your plan to your advising meeting if meeting your advisor on campus. If meeting your advisor via phone or video, make sure you email the plan prior to your appointment. The process of drafting the plan probably made you aware of questions you need answers to – don't forget to bring these up during your advising appointment. 
    9. To make the most out of your academic advising appointment, make sure you have reviewed the academic advising conspectus.
    10. Congratulations! Not only do you now have a plan, but you have also developed and practiced your planning skills.   
  • Below are recommended computer specifications (specs) for students pursuing a major in Computer Game Design & Development, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Software Engineering.

    We have a Dell premier buying program that allows discounts and provides recommended specs.

    Remember that computing components tend to evolve rapidly, and buying a computer with more power, RAM and space will typically last you for a longer period.

    General Baseline Recommended Specifications

    Windows-based machines are generally recommended, however Apple/iOS/Linux machines are also a possibility. Many classes are set up assuming you have a Windows-based machine and so will use software built for Windows, but there may be alternative similar software for iOS and Linux Distro machines.

    • Intel i7 (preferred) or i5 processor
    • 16-32 GB (or more) of RAM
    • 500+ GB of storage (HDD or SSD)

     

    MAJOR RECOMMENDATION
    Computer Science & Software Engineering General baseline recommendations are sufficient, however if you are interested in high powered computing, multi-threading or doing research, a higher powered CPU (at least i7 most recent generation) and as much RAM as possible is recommended. Research interests may also go into GPUs (so you will likely want a discrete graphics card).
    Computer Game Design & Development

    Alienware towers or laptops are recommended or any general Windows-based machine.

    • i7 CPU
    • 32+ GB of RAM
    • 500 GB - 1 TB of storage (depending on whether you like to game or store additional things on the system you intend to use. Art, videos, game engines and images can take up quite a bit of space when working with assets for game development)
    • Separate graphics card/GPU or non-integrated graphics memory is recommended for performance - NVIDIA cards are typically recommended.

    Note: if you just want to play video games, i5 processors are sufficient for most games on the market right now, however performance and experience may be lower quality.

    Information Technology

    Information Technology
    Windows-based is preferred, however iOS and Linux are also viable options. 

    • i5 CPU
    • As much RAM as you can get (or have the capability to expand)
    • 256-500GB of storage, however if you have hobbies that include art, video-editing, photography, etc you may want more storage. External hard drives can also do in a pinch.

     

  • The Capstone course is the pinnacle of our curriculum, available to both undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Computing and Software Engineering. In this collaborative experience, you will form teams with peers to create and execute practical solutions that draw upon the knowledge gained throughout your academic journey.

    Get started now and begin addressing real-world challenges to put your skills to the test in a hands-on, professional setting!

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  • Start earning credit and gaining experience in your professional field before graduating with a Co-Op, Internship or job opportunity! Before you can enroll in an internship, you must undergo an approval process, which varies based on your degree requirements. All internships must have a technical focus relevant to your degree program.

    You can find general information below, but for detailed academic eligibility criteria, please refer to the Internships and Co-ops College-Specific Information from the Department of Career Planning and Development at Kennesaw State.

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  • The College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE) is delighted to provide financial support opportunities for our graduate students, including the Out of State Tuition Waiver and Graduate Assistantships, such as Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).

    To apply for these positions, take a look at the application instructions we've outlined for you below!

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  • The First-Year Experience (FYE) team is a dedicated group committed to supporting your growth as a successful computing professional. Our team consists of Lecturers, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, Graders, and Tutors, all of whom are eager to assist you in achieving your best possible outcomes.

    The FYE is home to three (3) essential computing courses here at KSU:

    • CSE 1300: Introduction to Computing Principles
    • CSE 1321: Programming and Problem Solving I
    • CSE 1322: Programming and Problem Solving II

    Learn about course availability, supplemental lecture series, tutoring resources and more!

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  • Feedback from students is crucial to our continuous improvement in the courses we offer. Please use the survey below to share your thoughts, comments, questions or concerns.

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  • Our state-of-the-art lab centers are designed to provide you with immersive experiences and opportunities to explore the forefront of technology. From the Main Lab, where you'll encounter a collaborative space, accessible to all KSU students, featuring computer desktops, tables equipped with power outlets, a paper shredder, and a printer, among other amenities, to the Realities Lab, where you'll explore virtual and augmented realities.

    The Machine Vision and Security Lab helps bridge the gap of future cybersecurity and image analysis and the G.U.I.T.A.R. Lab creates an experience as Graphical User Interface and Technologies for Augmented Reality. Each of our specialized lab centers offer a unique space for innovation, experimentation and collaboration.

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  • By participating as a mentor or mentee in this program, you can become better informed about your own skills, CCSE, Kennesaw State University, campus resources and support services, and opportunities for academic and career excellence. 

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  • The distribution of waivers will be determined based on merit, which may consider factors such as GPA and other academic accomplishments. By submitting your Tuition Waiver application, it will be included in the applicant pool for assessment. However, it's important to note that CCSE cannot assure or guarantee that all applicants will receive the waiver.

    Get to know the requirements prior to the application deadline to make sure you can be considered for Out of State Tuition!

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  • Introducing the Innovations in Computing Courses program at Kennesaw State, designed to ignite interest in computing and introduce a diverse range of topics to our academic curriculum. The application process is highly competitive, requiring faculty to submit proposals that demonstrate the significance of their proposed course. Classes are intentionally small, accommodating just 15 students, with limited equipment funding provided by the college.

    Our program's success has prompted us to transition some courses into permanent offerings. Find out more about our commitment to sustaining this initiative in the semesters to come!

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  • Research plays a vital role within the College of Computing and Software Engineering, shaping both faculty and student engagement integrated into our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Explore CCSE's research endeavors in detail and discover the consistent innovation happening within our college at Kennesaw State.

    Get to know our research centers in computing and data science and analytics, our past projects completed by undergraduate and graduate students and take advantage of the customized research guides provided by the KSU Library. 

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  • Explore a world of scholarship opportunities at Kennesaw State University's College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE). This comprehensive financial resource offers valuable insights into a myriad of scholarships tailored to our CCSE students. Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, aspiring to excel in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, this page provides a gateway to financial assistance options that can empower your academic journey.

    Discover how you can access these scholarships and propel your education to new heights within the CCSE community.

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  • Our diverse and engaging student organizations offer a dynamic platform for students to connect, collaborate and explore their passions with others in the fields of computing and software engineering. Whether you're interested in coding clubs, robotics teams or tech-focused societies, our student organizations provide a rich environment of experiences to complement your academic journey and foster lasting connections with like-minded peers.

    Discover the student organizations CCSE has to offer and begin making lasting connections through exploration, innovation and camaraderie!

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  • Available Virtual Machines

    • IT - 6713
    • CS - 3410
    • CS - 3153
    • IT - 5433
    • CCSE Standard
    • IT - 6863 Oracle
    • IT - 6863 MSSQL