Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player
Math, Science, and Technology

Undergraduate Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presents student projects and performances through oral presentations, paper submissions, and poster displays.

Computer Science Major

PDF Printable Brochure

Description

The computer science (CS) major deals with the systematic study of algorithms and data structures. The CS curriculum is consistent with recommendations outlined by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and emphasizes laboratory experience as a major component of courses. By integrating theory, abstraction, and design, the curriculum bridges the gap between hardware and software issues. The program provides students with an opportunity to gain in-depth, rigorous instruction in the following nine areas of computer science (as specified by the national ACM/IEEE Joint Curriculum Task Force): algorithms and data structures, architecture, artificial intelligence and robotics, database and information retrieval, human-computer communication, numerical and symbolic computation, operating systems, programming languages, and software methodology and engineering.

The CS curriculum is upgraded regularly through surveys of skills needs, ongoing dialogue with information technology business leaders, technical professionals, and monitoring of the business environment and technological trends. The CS curriculum provides a combination of technical skills, business skills, and hands-on experience to meet the needs of "the right person with the right skills at the right time." It provides a hands-on opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in high-technology industry and technical careers. Professionals with real-world experience are in the classroom at all levels.

Learning Outcomes

A successful computer science graduate is expected to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the field of computing, both as an academic discipline and as a profession within the context of society
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the theoretical foundations of the field of computing
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the essential elements of computer information systems and computer science
  4. Apply knowledge of computing and information systems to specific problems and produce solutions
  5. Demonstrate an appreciation for the ethical and societal issues associated with the computing field
  6. Demonstrate the capability for staying current and, more generally, for achieving ongoing self-education in the computing discipline
  7. Use current programming languages, software development tools, software systems, database systems, multimedia systems, and commonplace computing platforms

Dual Admission Option

Please refer to Dual Admissions Web site for additional information.

Career Opportunities

The rapidly expanding fields of information systems and computer science provide many opportunities for individuals with a degree in CIS/CS. Graduates can look forward to challenging careers in the following areas:

  • Computer Scientists: design computers, conduct research to improve their design or use, and develop and adapt principles for applying computers to new uses.
  • Database Administrators: work with database management systems software, testing, coordinating changes to, and implementing computer databases.
  • Computer Support specialists: provide assistance and advice to users, interpret problems, and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems.
  • Network/Systems Administrators: install, configure, and support an organization's systems.
  • Telecommunications Specialists: assist the interfacing of computer and communication equipment.
  • Computer Security Specialists: responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing an organization's information security measures.
  • Computer Engineers: work with hardware and software aspects of system design and development.
  • Software Engineers: design and develop both packaged and system software.
  • System Analysts: oversee the development process for new software and hardware and plan the design and structure of the new program, creating step-by-step instructions. Each step of the process must be specified, including the data to be used, input and output files needed, mathematical and logical operations to be performed, etc. After developing the design for the program, systems analysts prepare flow charts and other diagrams that show the flow of data. (Flow charts track data through an organization as well as through a computer program.) The analyst may also prepare a cost-benefit analysis to help management decide whether the proposed programming project is financially feasible and provides sufficient value to make it worth undertaking.
  • Computer Programmers: write computer code with detailed program instructions that tell the computer what to do to perform a certain function. Programmers write programs according to the specifications determined by systems analysts. The programming process includes: (1) Coding; (2) Compiling; (3) Debugging; (4) Testing; and (5) Maintenance. Today, many programmers use CASE (Computer Assisted Software Engineering) tools to automate much of the coding process. And programmers often do much more than code. The job of programmer has come to include the kind of problem-solving formerly done by systems analysts.

Format

Day Program (Main Campus Only)
Evening Program

Location

Main Campus, Fort Lauderdale