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Computer Science, B.S.

Computer Science, B.S.

What is a computer science degree?

Computer Science BS

Computer science focuses on the fundamental theory of computing. Far more than mere programming, computer science encompasses the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking and explores how to design, develop, and test software and information systems.

Whether you want to develop new methods of human-computer interaction, design intelligent systems, or program high-powered software applications, a computer science degree from Florida Tech develops a strong background in computer systems with experience in programming and information management.

Gain Practical Experience

Computer science students at Florida Tech can choose from a variety of sub-fields for their computer science degree including:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Computer architecture
  • Graphics
  • Databases
  • Operating systems
  • Computational science

Computer science students learn the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking and gain the ability to express solutions to problems using computer-programming languages. First-year courses for a computer science degree give you a foundation in software development and cover computer organization, allowing you to begin doing computer science on day one.

You also take a seminar in computer science disciplines and careers, learn about supercomputers, and develop high-performance applications using our Blueshark HPC cluster (a 576-processor core IBM system). As a senior, you’ll complete a team design project where you'll conceptualize, design, construct, and present a novel software application.

Why pursue a computer science degree at Florida Tech?

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Get the facts about graduate studies at Florida Tech

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. At an Education Center near you
  4. Get the Education Center Brochure

You have three graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. At an Education Center near you
  4. Get the Education Center Brochure

  5. 100% Online
  6. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. On Campus
  2. Download the Grad Guide!

  3. 100% Online
  4. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

You have two graduate study opportunities:

  1. At an Education Center near you
  2. Get the Education Center Brochure

  3. 100% Online
  4. Learn more about Florida Tech Online

Top computer science schools including Florida Tech have myriad reasons to be the choice for a computer science degree. For Florida Tech, the reasons begin with our program being listed among the Fiske Guide’s "Engineering/Top Technical Institutes" and Parade Magazine’s “College A-List in Engineering.”

AccreditationABET | Computing Accreditation Commission

The undergraduate computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Additional information can be found on the department’s ABET information page.

Small Classes—Personalized Attention from Internationally Renowned Faculty

Florida Tech is known for its small class sizes and low faculty-to-student ratio, creating a tight-knit learning community where professors give individualized attention. Students are often with the same faculty advisor throughout their college experience, and find it easy to interact with professors for consultation and mentoring. Because we are one of the top computer science schools, Florida Tech professors provide financial support to about 10% of students through research grants they direct—a true testament to Florida Tech’s student-centered organizational culture.

Florida Tech’s faculty are active and internationally known researchers with expertise in computer security, intelligent systems, computer vision, complex networks, and distributed negotiations. Research being done by our faculty involves students in projects related to machine learning, computer vision, biologically inspired computing, data mining, cyber security, cryptography, speech recognition and more.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Another reason many students choose Florida Tech over other top computer science schools is its high-tech facilities. As indicated by an entrance survey conducted in the last seven years, incoming first year students list the state-of-the-art F.W. Olin Engineering Complex as one of the top three reasons why they chose to attend Florida Tech. Here, the computing laboratories offer cutting-edge tools for student learning and research. Unlike other top computer science schools you may consider, the computers at Florida Tech are upgraded every three years to ensure they are always capable of running the most up-to-date software, and a full suite of software development tools is freely available to all computer science students.

Another reason we've earned the distinction among top computer science schools is the Harris Institute for Assured Information, an interdisciplinary center devoted to cutting-edge research in computer security and information protection.

Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-tech Corridor

Florida Tech is the perfect place for a Computer Science degree. The 130-acre campus is located on the Space Coast (so named because of the presence of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral just north of us), minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America.

The area has the fifth largest high-tech workforce in the country, with more than 5,000 high-tech corporations and government and military organizations located nearby. This workforce also provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities.

Florida Tech is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches, and a short trip to the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and collegiate sports, clubs, and social activities.

Build Lasting Professional Relationships through Campus Organizations

Beyond the classroom, students earning a computer science degree build leadership and professional experience through exciting participation in academic organizations like Upsilon Pi Epsilon (computer science honor society), student government, or over 100 other student organizations.

Outside the classroom, students join the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), a professional student organization that encourages members to network with other computer scientists from around the country. ACM also holds workshops and a “CS Fest” to promote interest in the field. You can also take part in ACM's Annual International Collegiate Programming Contest. In the last decade, programming teams have consistently placed in the top ten of the southeast region. Florida Tech has advanced to the world finals five times in the past 15 years in what is also referred to as the “Battle of the Brains” because it brings together the best student problem-solvers from all over the world.

Members of Florida Tech's chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (better known as FIT-IEEE) stress the importance of education, networking, research and friendship during their studies. They also compete in robotics competitions and other team-based projects.

Video gamers and science fiction fans can also join the Florida Tech Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy (FITSFF) to take part in gaming competitions, science fiction movie watching nights, and other group activities to make connections with students from other departments with similar interests.

How will a computer science degree prepare me for the future?

Participating in a wide array of computer science internships, research projects, competitions and professional clubs, our students never have a shortage of ways to become involved in activities that enhance their degree.

Peerless Study and Internship Opportunities

Computer science internships are a hands-on way that Florida Tech students engage with professionals in their chosen career field. This valuable learning opportunity builds skills and a highly competitive resume that equips students for the future. Top companies collaborate with Florida Tech to offer computer science internships including:

  • Harris Corp.
  • Microsoft
  • NASA
  • Northrop Grumman

Florida Tech students are encouraged to pursue multiple computer science internships during their academic careers to prepare for the working world.

Participate in Cutting-Edge Faculty-Led Research

Well-qualified computer science students are invited to join faculty teams researching a variety of different topics within the field. Our computer science faculty is made up of active and internationally known researchers in the fields of software testing, information assurance (cybersecurity), and intelligence systems who are gathering data on several topics, including:

  • Computer security
  • Intelligent systems
  • Computer vision
  • Complex networks
  • Distributed negotiations

Several special-purpose laboratories are available to students doing advanced research as well. Seniors complete a capstone project that challenges them to design, develop, program, and present a novel software application.

Research opportunities like these allow Florida Tech students to gather hands-on experience in their field before they graduate. Students can also conduct research during their computer science internships.

What can you do with a computer science degree?

Computer science careers are currently among the most popular for college graduates, primarily because the demand for qualified software developers, web designers, computer systems analysts and database administrators, to name a few, has never been higher.

Get Recruited Upon Graduation

Students who graduate with a degree in computer science find computer science careers in all sectors of the economy and have gone on to work for:

  • Electronic Arts (EA Games)
  • General Electric
  • Google
  • HP
  • Microsoft
  • Mozilla
  • NSA
  • Zynga
  • IBM
  • Texas Instruments

Career Outlook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things.

According to the Bureau, computer science careers are projected to grow 19% through 2020, as companies continue to add personnel to develop software controls for complicated electronics, improve hardware operations, and manage larger and larger amounts of data. From cars to large equipment to hand-held devices, there is a growing emphasis on creating advanced technologies as well as finding innovative ways to prevent attacks, manage cybersecurity, and track hackers.

Other Career Options

Computer science careers involve a variety of jobs, including inventing and designing new technology or finding new uses for existing technology. Computer scientists might explore issues in computation, invent new software languages, analyze methods to improve the way we work with computers, or improve computer algorithms that become the foundation for advancements in technology (such as cloud computing). Computer science grads go on to take jobs as:

  • Software designer and developer
  • Computer support specialist
  • Computer systems analyst
  • Computer programmer
  • Database administrator
  • Computer and information system manager
  • Information security analyst
  • Web developer
  • Computer network architect
  • Network administrator

Graduate and Doctoral Programs

After receiving their computer science degree, many of our students go on to graduate school at universities such as Florida Tech, Brown University, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, and the University of Florida.

Students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in computer science at Florida Tech before choosing computer science careers have gone on to study fields such as:

  • Database development
  • Computer vision
  • Bioinformatics
  • Computer graphics
  • Networks
  • Information management
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