Computer Science DEGREE

Modern software development tools are woven throughout the program so that students gain experience using cutting-edge techniques.

Overview

The computer science major at Anderson University emphasizes hands-on application of knowledge by incorporating state-of-the-art programming techniques and tools throughout the curriculum, which meets the most recent guidelines of the Association of Computing Machinery for computer science programs.

In computer science courses, core concepts are taught in an applied environment, allowing students to immediately see the applications of the material that they are learning.  Cybersecurity principles are incorporated through several courses, such as Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, and Applied Cryptography & Cybersecurity. The importance of incorporating the security viewpoint in software design is critical to nearly every application in today’s world.

Computer Science

At Anderson University, computer science students are encouraged to pursue hands-on experiential learning starting their freshman year. Most students graduate with at least two internships on their résumé, allowing them to see what a “real-world” job is like in different areas of the computer science field. This rich experience guides students as they start their career after graduation, and allows their résumé to stand out from other applications for full-time positions.

Employers of our student interns and graduates describe the winning combination of core computing knowledge, programming ability, and excellent communication and teamwork skills that Anderson University students demonstrate. The liberal arts education that our students receive is an important contribution to their successful careers.

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Options

Students wanting to pair computer science with another major can complete the 32-hour complementary major with another bachelor of arts major, such as cybersecurity, chemistry, mathematics, English, physics, accounting, or finance.AU offers two degrees in computer science.

Major

  • BA in Computer Science (graduate in three or four years)
  • BS in Computer Science

The computer science department also offers a major in cybersecurity.

Double Majors

Computer science can be completed by a well-motivated student in three years. It can also be paired with other majors as a double major over four years, including English, writing, cybersecurity, and mathematics.

Complementary Major

Students wanting to pair computer science with another major can complete the 32-hour complementary major with another bachelor of arts major, such as cybersecurity, chemistry, mathematics, English, physics, accounting, or finance.

Minors

The computer science minor is well-suited for math and science majors, as well as those students pursuing a career in medicine and life sciences. The information systems minor focuses on business applications of computing.

  • Computer Science
  • Information Systems
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3+1 Program

Accelerate Your Career

Want to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years? Anderson University and Ball State University have an agreement to facilitate your accelerated program of study. You can earn your BA in Computer Science here at AU, and then transition to BSU to earn your Master of Science in Information and Communication Sciences. Many of our AU students gain placement in the BSU graduate assistantship program, which makes grad school tuition very affordable.

 

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Careers

Our graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Amazon
  • Ernst & Young
  • GEICO
  • Genesys (formerly Interactive Intelligence)
  • Navient
  • Northrop-Grumman
  • Ontario Systems
  • Performance Assessment Network
  • Renaissance Electronics Service
  • Salesforce
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Classes

  • Database Programming
  • Data Structures & Algorithms
  • Introduction to Web Applications
  • Computer Networks
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Engineering
  • Senior Design I & II

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Tech Talks

Tech talks provide a glimpse of industry and research to our undergraduate students. We bring in 5-6 guest speakers per semester in areas related to computer science and cybersecurity.

Fall semester tech talks included:

  • Jim Ostrognai, vice president of engineering, Salesforce, “LifeHacks: Things I wish someone would have told me when I was at A)”
  • Bob Huba, former system security architect and team lead for the Security Incident Response Team at Emerson Automation Solutions, “Critical infrastructure cybersecurity: Using the internet to make things go boom”
  • James Weaver, quantum developer advocate, IBM, “Quantum party tricks: An entertaining introduction to quantum computing”
  • Presentations by interns of their work done at our on-campus internship centers, Genesys and the Ontario Systems CUBE, which are located on the third floor of Decker Hall

Explore On-Campus Internships

Genesys Center

Anderson University is the only location where Genesys maintains an on-campus internship center, staffed with full-time Genesys employees. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience—between classes! The Genesys interns receive close mentoring and professional development opportunities, competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and the chance to network with the leaders of the Indianapolis technology scene.

Computer Science Department

Paid work experiences are available within the computer science department as early as a student’s first semester. Opportunities include maintaining the computers in the computer science labs, supporting the departmental network, administering the servers in the Cybersecurity Engineering Lab, as well as serving as web designers and classroom lab assistants.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Computer science students also have the opportunity to work with Anderson University ITS. Past on-campus positions have included university-wide classroom technical support, database programming, network administration, and instructional resources support.

OUR Computer Science FACULTY

Let’s connect during your campus visit.

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