12 Introduction to Computer Science

Computer Science is a broad field that contains four majors: Computer Science, Programming and Software Development, Computer Technology, and Network Administration and Information Security.

1. The major in Computer Science is appropriate for those students interested in mathematics and/or computer science who plan to transfer to a 4-year institution for further study in computer science. Graduating students will be prepared for careers as programmers for business and/or scientific applications.
2. The Programming and Software Development major introduces students to fundamentals of computer programming, software database, and game development. Emphasis will be placed on software development process including web and mobile application development (both iOS and Android). The program prepares students for careers as computer programmers, game developers, software developers, web developers, mobile application developers, database developers/administrators, computer systems analysts, and software quality assurance engineers and testers. The program provides students with fundamental skills to continue with their undergraduate education and provide supplementary skills to be successful in their careers.
3. The Computer Technology major offers courses in analog and digital electronics, circuit analysis, programming, hardware interconnection, and computer architecture. The variety of courses foster immediate technical skills and theoretical foundations for working in the growing field of computer engineering technology as field engineers, bench technicians, and computerized system integration. In addition, courses from this curriculum receive transfer credits from senior colleges toward a Bachelor of Technology degree. The latter opens a new horizon of highly paid employment in the field of computer hardware engineering, embedded systems engineering, embedded software engineering and firmware engineering.
4. The Network Administration and Information Security major prepares students for careers in a rapidly growing field of systems administration and information security, as security analysts, system administrators, network technicians, and IT specialists. Through our unique curriculum, which combines extensive hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the principles of data communication, operating systems and information security, students will learn the fundamental skills that allow them to pursue a bachelor’s degree and the practical skills to administer and maintain a network and protect systems, services and data against unauthorized use. Upon graduation, students will be well prepared to pass multiple certifications: CCNA, Network+, Linux+, Security+ and SSCP.

Visit the Mathematics, Engineerings, and Computer Science (MEC) website to learn more about each of these Computer Science majors.

 Approaches to inquiry and research

The Computer Science field encourages students to develop creative approaches to problems, carefully breaking down the problem into a series of steps – called an algorithm.  The algorithm is repetitively broken down, called step-wise refinement, until it mimics a software program. This is called pseudocode.  From there, the pseudocode can be translated into any software language.   This process converts a problem from English language (which can be ambiguous), into a software language, which is precise.

THREE TOP CAREERS FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WITH SALARY

1. Computer Programmers (Computer Programmers salary information)
2. Web Developers and Digital Designers (Web Developers and Digital Designers salary information)
3. Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers (Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers salary information)