Department of Computer Science Programs

The Computer Science major  is designed to prepare students for positions as computer scientists and software developers with industry and government, or for graduate study in computer science and related fields.

The computer science curriculum is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.  Visit ABET's "Why ABET Accreditation Matters" to learn more.

The concentration in Computer Information Systems prepares students for employment as an entry- level software developer, systems analyst, network administrator, computer support specialist, database administrator, or web designer in any industry involving technology.

Students are exposed to the breadth of computer science from programming in high and low level languages (Python, Java, ARM), to networking, Linux system administration, database design and development, front-end and back-end web development, as well as software engineering and project management concepts. Their technical knowledge is combined with management and information systems concepts to prepare students with the knowledge to develop strong problem-solving and trouble shooting skills that can be applied to a variety of areas in business envrionments leading to a wide range of career paths.

Students have the flexibility in this program to choose among a variety of advance electives which include, cloud computing, human-computer interaction, machine learning, data mining, distributed application development, advanced networking and cybersecurity.

There is a growing demand in all sectors for individuals with this combination of capabilities. This program was developed and is regularly reviewed by our technical advisory committee which is composed of employers and business professionals in the local tech community.

Students completing this program will have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. This concentration, unlike our other other concentration (Computer Science-General), provides a deeper focus on business and management practices as it applies to computer science rather then on theoretical mathematics and science.

The Master of Science degree in Computer Science prepares students for the challenges faced by professionals in the rapidly changing field of computer science, as well as for those planning to pursue advanced graduate study in the field of computing. The program provides students with foundations in computer science, along with state-of-the-art skills needed for its two areas of concentration namely, Software Development and Network and Information Security. The program is a 36-credit program in which all students must complete 30 credits of course work in addition to a 6-credit capstone requirement. The course work consists of 4 core courses, 4 concentration courses and 2 elective courses. The core courses provide the foundation for advanced studies in each of the concentrations and for the capstone experience. The Network and Information Security concentration prepares students with a solid foundation in information assurance strategies and best practices along with the skills necessary to utilize various security tools to monitor networks and systems for security beaches, respond to cyberattacks, and gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cybercrime. Students will also gain experience in the cybersecurity tools and techniques used by security professionals and hackers. At the end of their studies students select one of the capstone options: Thesis or Special Project. In either, students must demonstrate ability to independently complete either a research or a special project and present the final results to the academic community. Once completed, students are ready to pursue advanced careers in the area of computer science either professionally or academically.

The Master of Science degree in Computer Science prepares students for the challenges faced by professionals in the rapidly changing field of computer science, as well as for those planning to pursue advanced graduate study in the field of computing. The program provides students with foundations in computer science, along with state-of-the-art skills needed for its two areas of concentration namely, Software Development and Network and Information Security. The program is a 36-credit program in which all students must complete 30 credits of course work in addition to a 6-credit capstone requirement. The course work consists of 4 core courses, 4 concentration courses and 2 elective courses. The core courses provide the foundation for advanced studies in each of the concentrations and for the capstone experience. The Software Development concentration focuses on software engineering techniques, advanced database systems, mobile software development along with an emphasis on strategies, methods and techniques to measure and improve software quality. At the end of their studies students select one of the capstone options: Thesis or Special Project. In either, students must demonstrate ability to independently complete either a research or a special project and present the final results to the academic community. Once completed, students are ready to pursue advanced careers in the area of computer science either professionally or academically.

We prepare you for a promising career in business or industry and work in dozens of fields, from bio-technology to finance to business analytics.

Data science can be defined as gathering insight and information out of data. It is the science of everything associated with data: creation of algorithms, software, tools, and techniques, mathematical/statistical theory and practice of analysis, theory and practice of visualization and presentation, and data engineering.

In Southern’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science program, you’ll begin learning data science during your first and second semesters. These classes introduce you to Python programming and the fundamentals of data science. You’ll complete upper-level coursework covering a variety of topics from computer science and mathematics/statistics including data mining, machine learning, web and database development, linear algebra, Bayesian analysis and decision making, time series analysis, and non-parametric statistics.

Graduates are skilled in identifying and assessing organizational needs for data science, acquiring data, and implementing data science solutions based on knowledge of related models. For 2019, LinkedIn identified data scientist as the most promising job in the U.S., with a median base salary of $130,000 and a 56 percent increase in job openings in the last year.

Southern’s Certificate in Data Science is designed for business and industry professionals who work with data or who are interested in data-driven decision-making. The certificate introduces students to Basic Python programming concepts, Python libraries, machine learning algorithms and models, and basic statistical and mathematical principles. Students learn analytical skills taught with current industry-standard tools, as well as fundamental programming skills to retrieve, manipulate, and visualize data. They also learn to apply machine learning, data mining, and inferential statistical techniques to identify patterns in data and make predictions.

Whether your major is in the arts and sciences, in business, or in human services, technology is and will be a significant component in your discipline. The 18-credit Minor in Computer Science is designed with great flexibility so students, with the help of a faculty advisor from the Computer Science Department, can design a course sequence to support their major and area of interest.

This minor complements a variety of majors, including biology, computer science, earth science, economics, physics, political science, psychology, and liberal studies. It provides students with critical data-centric skills necessary for success for today's data-driven decision processes.