Computer Science
About
Computer science students master the underlying concepts of computing, with an emphasis on software engineering. At Scranton, computer science majors build an educational and experiential foundation to become innovators in the field or to pursue advanced study. Students in this ABET accredited program also have the option of pursuing an exciting track in game development.
Why Computer Science is in Demand:
Opportunities in computer science are literally all around us. Computer science powers our mobile apps. It's behind the websites we visit on a daily basis. It's everywhere from social networks to financial networks.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for computer and information technology occupations will grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026.
- The demand for computer science professionals far exceeds the supply. According to NetworkWorld, many of today's computer science graduates are entering the workforce with high starting salaries and multiple offers of employment.
- The average salary for a computer scientist is $103,005 per year in the United States.(Source: indeed.com)
Is it for me?
Are you:
- Tech-savvy?
- Curious and detail oriented?
- Creative and motivated?
- Mathematically inclined?
Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Computer Science
Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus
You'll learn how to:
With faculty members as your guides, you’ll learn to function as a software developer in a variety of application domains and communicate with a range of audiences. In addition, you’ll be able to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles and computer science theory in the modeling and design of systems.
You'll learn how to:
- Apply knowledge of computing and mathematics
- Analyze and then solve problems with computer technology
- Troubleshoot and improve systems
- Innovate and build new software, applications and systems
- Work in teams
What You'll Learnplus or minus
Curriculum
From data structures and algorithms to computer architecture, courses cover the underlying concepts of computing, emphasizing software engineering. An established core of major courses is supplemented with essential courses in mathematics and science. Students choose from electives in computer graphics, robotics, mobile applications, machine learning and others.
While our computer engineering majors integrate issues of hardware and software and our information technology majors learn to apply technology to solve problems in organizations, our computer science majors focus on the development of that technology.
Computer science majors also have the option of pursuing a track in game development, which is designed to prepare graduates for professional employment as software developers in the electronic entertainment industry.
Click here to see the curriculum.
An undergraduate student of the University may be admitted to the combined program of their undergraduate degree and the Master of Science in software engineering (MS SE) graduate degree.
Hands-on learning
Scranton professors understand well that graduates need to augment theory with experience to stay competitive in today’s job market. Opportunities exist for students to participate in research alongside faculty members, as well as work on real-world projects in conjunction with software development companies with whom faculty have ongoing connections.
The senior capstone course gives students a great opportunity to challenge themselves and develop meaningful software products that demonstrate their expertise.
Students have developed:
- A software interface for a patent-pending system for a local business.
- An app that provides hikers on the Appalachian Trail with information about food and water locations.
Additionally, in 2016, a sophomore computer science major, Joshua David, won the grand prize in the general computing category of the 2016 APL problem-solving competition. You can read more about this here.
Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus
Computer science majors learn to create technology and systems that improve the lives of individuals and advance society as a whole. For example, it’s computer scientists who develop mobile apps that make transactions more efficient and construct technological systems to ensure the security of our nation.
While computer science is a challenging technical field, it also provides great opportunities for creativity and innovation. Through hands-on class projects and internships, Scranton students begin to contribute to society long before they officially enter their fields of interest.
Careers
Where will Computer Science Take Me?
Outcomes for computer science majors range from developing software for websites to designing databases.
Here are some examples of jobs depending on your interests:
- DevOps specialist
- Software developer
- Database administrator
- Data scientist
- Computer systems analyst
- Network architect
- Web developer
- Information security analyst
- Computer programmer
Top Graduate Schools
Students are well prepared to pursue graduate study in computer or business fields. Often students continue at The University of Scranton and pursue an MBA or MS in software engineering.
Other alumni have completed advanced degrees at
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Connecticut
- Drexel University
- Iowa State University
- Lehigh University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- University of Massachusetts
- Yale University
Leading Employers:
You’ll find Scranton computer science graduates working with a wide range of companies and organizations, including:
- Benco Dental
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- FBI
- IBM
- Lockheed Martin
- MTV
- Met Life
- Microsoft
- NBC
- NSA (National Security Agency)
- TMG Health
- Prudential
How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge
At Scranton, computer science graduates have an exceptional success rate. The reputation of the program opens doors to employment and graduate school. Recently, 100 percent of students in the major have entered relevant employment or advanced study after graduation.
Plus, faculty members get to know students well through the years and become enthusiastic advocates for graduates. Their recommendations to employers and graduate schools are invaluable.
When I talked to Scranton faculty, I felt they were interested in me personally, as an individual.
-Shayne Wierbowski
Class of 2016
Accreditation
Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.orgTake the Next Step
Get the Facts
For More Information
Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu
Computing Sciences Department
(570) 941-7774
cmps@cs.scranton.edu