Entrepreneurship in Computing at Hofstra

New Programs in Entrepreneurship for CS and CE majors

Starting Fall 2009

For students interested in complementing their CS or CE degree with an insight into the high-tech innovation and business process the CS department offers a Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (nickname CLIC) or an Option in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (nickname OLIC).

CLIC and OLIC programs target students:

• Who aspire to impact the society with innovative ideas in the computing field.
•  Who want to work in dynamic and innovative environments such as those of high-tech start-ups.
•  Who seek to expand their knowledge on entrepreneurship and business functions in the computing industry.

CLIC program consists of 18 s.h, out of which 4 courses (or 12 s.h) are offered by the Zarb School of Business, the remaining 2 are offered by the CS department such as: one Internship with a start-up (3 s.h.) and a Senior Design Entrepreneurial Project (3 s.h.) (more details about CLIC).

OLIC program consists of 9 credits, out of which one course in Foundations of Leadership and Innovation (3 s.h.), one Internship with a start-up (3 s.h.) and one Senior Design Entrepreneurial Project (3 s.h.)  (more details about OLIC).  OLIC is particularly suited for Computer Engineering majors whose program permits only a limited number of free electives.

How to Enroll in CLIC or OLIC

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering who have successfully completed CSC 14, 15, and 16 (typically at the end of freshman year) and have an overall average of at least C in these courses are eligible to declare the concentration or the option.
Interested students need to be advised by the program coordinator (Dr. Simona Doboli) prior to declaring the concentration or the option.

Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (CLIC)

Students will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-tech computing areas, to understand the computing business environment and the roles of core business divisions (such as marketing and accounting), to integrate entrepreneurial and computing skills and to work effectively in globally distributed teams.

CLIC Requirements (18 s.h.)

1. All the requirements of the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.
2. The following four courses offered by the Zarb School of Business *:
   1. ENTR 115 Entrepreneurship (3 s.h.).
   2. ACCT 101 Financial Accounting (3 s.h.).
   3. ENTR 120 New Business Ventures (3 s.h.) **.
   4. MKT 101 Marketing (3 s.h) ***.
3. CSC 195 Internship in Computer Science and Computer Engineering (3 s.h.). The internship will be in a local computing industry start-up, with the approval and under  the guidance of the  program coordinator.
4. (i) A two-semester Independent Senior Design Project sequence (2 s.h.) as follows: CSC197A (1 s.h.), CSC197B (1 s.h.). Both course are offered Fall and Spring. (ii) Two senior seminar courses:  CSC 198F (0.5 s.h.) and 198S (0.5 s.h.), to be paired with the Independent Senior Design courses:  in both semesters students must take simultaneously an Independent  Senior  Design Course  and  a Senior Seminar course. Interested students will have the opportunity to work on globally distributed teams.
5. All courses in the concentration must be taken with a grade of C- or better. 

* Non-business majors may take no more than 25 percent of their course work in business subjects.
** IT 14, usually a prerequisite for ENTR 120, is waived for Computer Science students enrolled in CLIC.
*** Note that MKT 101 is a corequisite for ENTR 120.

Option in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (OLIC)

Like the concentration, the option targets students who are interested in pursuing innovations in the computing field that can have an impact on society. Through an intensive, 9-semester-hour program, the students in the option will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-technology computing areas, to develop basic skills needed to start their own company or to work for a start-up company and to work effectively in globally distributed teams.  This option is particularly suited for Computer Engineering students whose program permits only a limited number of free electives. The option does not include the business courses offered by the Zarb School of Business that are part of the concentration.

OLIC  Requirements (9 s.h.)

1. All the requirements of the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.
2. CSC 194: Foundations of Leadership and Innovation in Computing (3 s.h); this cannot count as a technical elective.
3. CSC 195 Internship in Computer Science and Computer Engineering (3 s.h.). The internship will be in a local computing industry start-up with the approval and under the guidance of the  program coordinator.
4. (i) A two-semester Independent Senior Design Project sequence (2 s.h.) as follows: CSC197A (1 s.h.),  CSC197B (1 s.h.) . Both course are offered Fall and Spring. (ii) Two senior seminar courses:  CSC 198F (0.5 s.h.) and 198S (0.5 s.h.) ,  to be paired with the Independent Senior Design courses:  in one semester  a student must take simultaneously an Independent  Senior  Design Course  and  a Senior Seminar course.  Interested students will have the opportunity to work in globally distributed teams.
5. All courses in the option must be taken with a grade of C- or better.