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What is Computer Science?

Get a Master's in Computer Science

The Computer Science B.S.

You benefit from computer science every day.

The phone in your hand, the social media you scroll through, your medical records at the doctor’s office, the video games you play, the goods and services you rely on daily—even the college applications you submit—are all made possible, faster and accessible through computer science.

The fundamental theories of computing are used to solve complex engineering and scientific problems and drive innovation in every field and industry. Far more than 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 create 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.

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Why Choose Florida Tech for Computer Science?

From our first-rate facilities to our expert faculty, Florida Tech is one of the best schools for computer science. Here, you will learn critical and analytical thinking and build a truly versatile skill set, enabling you to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges and collaborate effectively with others. The bachelor's in computer science provides the foundational knowledge you will need to adapt to evolving technologies throughout your career.

Our high-tech facilities are a big draw, and many incoming first-year students list the state-of-the-art F.W. Olin Engineering Complex as one of the top reasons they chose Florida Tech. Here, computing laboratories offer the latest in electronic and communications technology for student learning and research. Computers at Florida Tech are upgraded regularly 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.

At Florida Tech, you will build a strong foundation in computer science while customizing your degree with elective courses and research opportunities that align with your career goals. Choose from a variety of subjects to hone your skills, including:

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

A cyber operations concentration is available, as well. With this concentration, your junior and senior years will focus on cyber operations essentials, from assembly programming and algorithm analysis to software reverse engineering and vulnerability research.

Florida Tech is known for small class sizes, a low student-to-faculty ratio and our tight-knit, personalized learning community. You’ll find it easy to interact with professors for consultation and mentoring; in fact, students often have the same faculty advisor throughout their college experience.

Florida Tech’s faculty are active and internationally known researchers with expertise in computer security, intelligent systems, computer vision, complex networks and distributed negotiations—and they share that expertise with our students.

As a computer science student, you can be part of faculty-led projects in areas like machine learning, computer vision, biologically inspired computing, data mining, cybersecurity, cryptography, speech recognition and more.

We’ll help you develop skills that support your interests and career goals. You’ll take a seminar in computer science disciplines and careers, learn about supercomputers and develop high-performance applications. As a senior, you’ll complete a team design project to conceptualize, design, construct and present a novel software application. We’ll make sure you are career-ready when you graduate.

At Florida Tech, you are encouraged to pursue multiple computer science internships that prepare you for the working world and allow you to engage with professionals in your chosen career field.

 These valuable learning opportunities help you build skills and a highly competitive résumé. Top companies collaborate with Florida Tech to offer computer science internships to our students, including:

  • L3Harris Technologies Inc.
  • Microsoft Corp.
  • NASA
  • Northrop Grumman Corp.

Florida Tech’s location in a high-tech corridor makes us a great place for a computer science degree. Our area has one of the largest high-tech workforces in the country—and that means numerous internship and employment opportunities for our students. Our 130-acre campus is in the heart of the Space Coast; NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral are just north of us.

When it’s time to kick back and relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches, a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks and minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America.

But you won’t have to travel far for rest and relaxation. We also have a rich campus life with intramural and collegiate sports, over 200 campuswide student organizations and clubs and a wide variety of social activities.

Careers in Computer Science

The demand for qualified software developers, web designers, computer systems analysts and database administrators has never been higher. Companies continue to need talent 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 and finding innovative ways to prevent attacks, manage cybersecurity and track hackers.

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 jobs include:

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

Looking ahead to your future career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may entail additional prerequisites, such as an advanced degree.

Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for computer science careers.

Advanced Degree Options

Many of our computer science graduates pursue advanced degrees at Florida Tech or other prestigious graduate schools in fields such as database development, bioinformatics, networks and computer graphics.

Explore the Computer Science, B.S., Curriculum

The Computer Science, B.S., Curriculum

As a computer science student, you’ll 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—you’ll begin doing computer science on day one.

Classes include:

  • Computer Disciplines and Careers
  • Algorithms and Data Structures
  • Computer Architecture and Assembly Programming

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the Computer Science, B.S. Curriculum now!

Participate in Cutting-Edge Research

We invite well-qualified computer science students to join faculty teams of active and internationally known researchers in the fields of software testing, information assurance (cybersecurity) and intelligence systems.

Research opportunities allow you to gather hands-on experience in career areas such as:

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

Several special-purpose laboratories are available to students doing advanced research, including the L3Harris Institute for Assured Information, an interdisciplinary center and the university’s focal point for cutting-edge research and education in cyberdefense and spaceflight systems.

Learn more about Computer Science at Florida Tech on the website.

Campus Organizations Help Build Your Résumé

At Florida Tech, you’ll have many ways to become involved in activities that enhance your computer science degree. Beyond the classroom, you can build leadership and professional experience in over 200 academic organizations, professional clubs and honor societies. Here are just a few:

Student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
A professional student organization that encourages networking with computer scientists from around the country. The ACM Annual International Collegiate Programming Contest, also known as the "Battle of the Brains," brings together the best student problem-solvers from all over the world.

Florida Tech's chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Our IEEE student chapter helps educate and refine students' skills in engineering—especially in the fields of computer science, electrical engineering and mechatronics—and facilitates networking, research and friendship.

FITSEC
FITSEC, Florida Tech’s highly ranked competitive cyber security team welcomes members interested in putting their skills to the test and competing to solve challenges in topics such as open-source intelligence, cryptography, enumeration/exploitation, network traffic analysis and much more.

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The Computer Science (Bachelor of Science) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs. Additional information can be found on the department’s ABET information page.

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