Courses, Careers And Online Options – Forbes Advisor

Historically, students at various levels had to attend traditional classroom lectures to graduate and earn their degrees. But with the steady advancement in digital learning technologies, distance learning has come to stay.

Computer scientists made that happen.

Your smartphone, messaging apps and the AI software you use daily are all testaments to the impact IT professionals have made worldwide.

If you want the opportunity to create a digital solution that can improve people’s quality of life, a computer science bachelor’s degree is the right place to start. This program will prepare you for software development, web design and cybersecurity careers.

What Is a Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree?

Computer science is generally understood as the study of computers and computational systems. These computational systems are, in turn, applied to solve real-life problems across diverse sectors. Unlike computer engineers who typically work with computer hardware, computer science majors are more concerned with software, its development and applications.

Typical Curriculum

A computer science bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate program that covers all the theoretical and practical aspects of designing, developing and testing software.

Coursework for this major may differ from school to school, but subject areas generally include ethics in technology, database systems, data structures, operating systems, artificial intelligence and programming.

After Graduation

Computer science graduates can apply their skills in various industries including IT, sports, healthcare, finance and construction. During the bachelor’s program, students are encouraged to specialize in a subfield of computer science that aligns with their career interests.

Some concentrations offered in computer science undergraduate programs are artificial intelligence and machine learning, computing systems, information security, data analysis and software engineering.

Program Length

It takes about four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor’s in computer science. Part-time students, however, may need more time to fulfill the 120-credit requirement for this degree. Computer science bachelor’s programs generally culminate in a capstone project, but some schools may accept an academic internship in lieu of the capstone project.

Accreditation for Computer Science Degrees

ABET provides accreditation to computer science bachelor’s degree programs. Graduating from an accredited computer science program proves to prospective employers and industry peers that you have received sufficient training to join the global workforce of IT specialists.

Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s in Computer Science

To get admitted into most computer science undergraduate programs, you need:

• A high school diploma or GED® equivalent
• Academic transcripts that demonstrate a history of advanced mathematics training
• An acceptable high school GPA (aim for a 3.0 GPA or higher on a four-point scale)

Specializations for a Computer Science Degree

Computer science majors can concentrate in one of the following specializations.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML)

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers to simulate human intelligence, while machine learning refers to the algorithms that make the creation of AI systems possible.

The AI & ML concentration in a computer science major teaches students to develop AI & ML solutions for real-world problems, analyze large datasets with advanced computing tools and use AI & ML tools ethically.

In addition to the career options open to computer science graduates, those specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning can also work as machine learning engineers, business intelligence developers, data mining analysts, natural language processing analysts and data scientists.

Information Security

The information security specialization covers cybersecurity procedures and the fundamentals of computer networking. Students in this track learn how to protect networks from cyberattacks through courses such as computer networking, cybersecurity foundations, systems security, operating systems and ethical hacking.

This concentration is ideal for students interested in becoming network security analysts, security systems administrators, database administrators and IT support specialists.

Data Analysis

The data analysis specialization in computer science introduces students to the day-to-day responsibilities of data analysts, which include overseeing data systems, creating database environments and interpreting statistical information using computing tools.

Courses in the data analysis track may include big data, data validation, structured database environments and regression analysis.

Common Courses in a Computer Science Degree Program

Courses vary from program to program, but most computer science bachelor’s degrees require courses similar to the following.

Introduction to IT

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of information technology and the various disciplines within the IT field, including networking, systems security, data management, scripting and programming.

It also covers the history of information systems and how the subsets of IT relate to each other.

Operating Systems for Programmers

An operating system is a program that manages all other applications and resources on a computer through functions such as memory management, CPU allocation and task scheduling.

In this course, learners are exposed to how computers process data, the function of operating systems in application development and the techniques of process scheduling.

Software Design and Quality Assurance

This course emphasizes the need for quality assurance throughout the software development cycle. Quality assurance in software testing is a procedure necessary to ensure the quality of software products delivered to the end user. It involves code reviews, user testing, automated testing and test-driven development.

To help learners understand the important quality assurance techniques, this course covers topics such as best practices for software analysis, testing strategies and quality planning.

Back-End Programming

Back-end developers build all the infrastructure that powers functional applications and software. Their work is behind the scenes, ensuring that servers and databases run efficiently. The back-end programming course equips students with the skills to create the back-end components of a web application, using programming languages such as Java, Python, PHP, C#, Ruby and SQL.

What Can You Do With a Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree?

We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in June 2024.

Computer Programmer

Median Annual Salary: $99,700
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science
Job Overview: Computer programmers write, test and modify the code that brings software to life. They write programs in various programming languages such as Java, C++, SQL and Python.

Database Administrator

Median Annual Salary: $117,450
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field
Job Overview: Database administrators use specialized software to design, maintain and restore databases to ensure the safety of an organization’s data.

Information Security Analyst

Median Annual Salary: $120,360
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field
Job Overview: Information security analysts detect flaws in a company’s security architecture. They also research the latest cybersecurity trends, install firewalls and set up data encryption software.

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Median Annual Salary: $101,800
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology; master’s degree sometimes preferred
Job Overview: Software quality assurance analysts are responsible for ensuring the reliability and quality of applications throughout the development life cycle. They use specific testing strategies to assess software performance, report any defects in the program and recommend solutions to enhance user experience.

Web Developer

Median Annual Salary: $84,960
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma; bachelor’s degree in an IT field, sometimes required
Job Overview: Web developers design and maintain websites, in accordance with clients’ needs. While back-end web developers are concerned with the site’s framework and functionality, front-end developers prioritize the visual and interactive elements of the website.

Should You Earn a Computer Science Degree Online?

Not all degrees can be earned online. Disciplines with a practicum component, such as medical science, typically require on-campus presence. However, some other majors are more flexible, because their practical requirements can be completed anywhere.

Before deciding to earn your online computer science degree, consider the following factors:

• Is the program accredited? Ensure that your computer science program is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Programmatic accreditation is important for several reasons. It lends credibility to your program and indicates that you’ve been adequately trained for any role in your field.
• How flexible is the program? Earning your degree online might be beneficial if you have a job and other obligations. Moreover, students on campus and distance learners generally follow the same curriculum, so your location has little to do with the quality of education you’ll receive.
• Is it budget-friendly? Getting a degree is quite expensive, especially if you’re an out-of-state student. Online degrees, however, are cost-effective, as students can save on transportation and housing instead of commuting to and fro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Computer Science Degrees