An Outline of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Program
Majors Overview February 21, 2015Bachelor’s Degree Program in Computer Science
Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program are given a solid grasp of the theoretical and practical aspects of mathematics, computer engineering, and computer science. Admission criteria may require students to complete a software engineering project, wherein they engage in designing and creating an original program or participate in an internship to garner hands-on experience.
Schools commonly expect students to complete numerous computer science courses before seeking admission to the program. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Students enrolled in these degree programs receive training in mathematics and computer science, thereby enabling them to master specialized, industry-specific computer applications, software systems, and programming languages. Coursework may include the following topic areas:
•Social and ethical issues in computer science
•Database systems
•Imperative computation
•Software engineering
•Computational structures
•Algorithm design
•Artificial intelligence
•Computer organization
•Data structures
•Programming languages
Career Choices
Those that seek entry-level careers in computer science are required by employers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Graduates may pursue various career titles, such as computer systems administrator, computer programmer, and computer systems analyst.
Job and Wage Outlook
In 2012, computer systems analysts, computer programmers, and computer systems administrators took home average annual wages of $79,680, $74,280, and $72,560, respectively (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). A 25% job growth rate has been predicted for systems analysts over the 2012 – 2022 decade, while a growth rate of 8% has been projected for programmers and a rate of 12% for systems administrators during the same period.
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates of the bachelor’s program may seek continuing education by earning a Master of Science in Computer Science. At some schools, these programs are based on specific course requirements, while at others, students are allowed to customize their own coursework.
Core coursework may include topic areas such as computer science theory, artificial intelligence, and various computer systems, such as storage systems or operating systems. Varying by program and students’ objectives, a master’s project or thesis may have to be completed by students before they graduate.
Those seeking to continue their education beyond the master’s degree level may earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science. In these programs, graduates are typically required to complete a dissertation based on original research.
