Shipyard Curriculum
Where Classroom Learning Meets Real-World Experience.
Real Problems, Real Impact
The Shipyard gives students opportunities to gain real-world experience throughout their computing degree. Whether they're interested in working with industry partners, conducting research, or exploring entrepreneurship, students can build hands-on experience alongside their coursework, with many opportunities counting toward elective credit.
Shipyard Curriculum
Built Around Hands-on Experience for Real Challenges
The Shipyard gives students opportunities to gain real-world experience throughout their computing degree. Whether they're interested in working with industry partners, conducting research, or exploring entrepreneurship, students can build hands-on experience alongside their coursework, with many opportunities counting toward elective credit.
Explore (Year 1)
Students begin by exploring computing:
- CIS 100 - Computing Exploration Seminar (1 credit)
- CIS 198 - First-Year Computing Studio (2 credits)
Build (Years 2–3)
Students deepen their skills through semester-long applied projects in:
- Applied Computing Studio I
- Applied Computing Studio II
Apply (Year 4)
- Computing Capstone
- Internship
- Faculty Research
- Startup Venture
- Continued Studio Work
Applied Computing Practitioner Certificate
The Shipyard curriculum is aligned with the Applied Computing Practitioner Certificate as follows:
Complete 12 credits across the following 2 categories, choosing the path that fits their goals.
- Shipyard Explore Experience:
CIS 100 - Computing Exploration Seminar (1 credits) AND
CIS 198 - First Year Computing Studio (2 credits)
- Shipyard Professional Prep Experience:
CIS 290 - Professional Responsibilities and Practices (3 credits) OR
CIS 291 - Introduction to Computing Research (3 credits)
- Shipyard Build & Apply Experience:
Shipyard Build & Apply Experience:
CIS 398 - Applied Computing Studio 2 (3 credits)
Shipyard Build & Apply Experience:
CIS 490 - Internship (2 to 5 credits)
Shipyard Build & Apply Experience: One course in a Computing Capstone (3 credits)
AI 495 - Artificial Intelligence Senior Project (3 credits)
CIS 462 - Information Technology Project (3 credits)
CIS 463 - Information Systems Project (3 credits)
CIS 467 - Computer Science Project (3 credits)
CIS 468 - Cybersecurity Project (3 credits)
HCC 495 - Human Centered Computing Senior Project (3 credits)
Explore Shipyard
Discover how The Shipyard helps students build experience throughout their computing degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many ways to get involved such as providing mentorship, sponsoring projects, providing financial support. To get involved, please fill out the partner interest form.
Traditional courses teach students content, fundamentals, and critical reasoning skills. While crucial, they are only part of the story. Regardless of your interests, an important key to success post-graduation is getting practical, hands-on experience. The Shipyard initiative gives you the chance to develop this experience throughout your degree, allowing you the opportunity to work on real-world, applied projects from your first semester to your last.
Students can get involved by taking studio courses, computing the Applied Computing Practitioner Certificate, carrying out research, partnering with companies, or pursuing start-up ideas! To get involved, please fill out the student interest form.