Computer Science

“The function of good software is to make the complex appear to be simple.” ― Grady Booch

Program Overview

About Our Programs

The skills you need to solve problems…and the skills that employers need to solve theirs. Our world often emphasizes technological skills, but that is a shallow approach. Those “mad skills” will be out-dated in a handful of years. Our curriculum is designed, maintained, and updated to keep pace with the real world, but it is also grounded in the most important skills of all: the ability to think and the ability to learn.

Our students apply and adapt what they’ve learned in our projects courses, giving them real world experience before they graduate. In the sophomore projects course you will to learn how to analyze the needs of an actual client, to design and implement a solution for their problem, and to deliver that project on time.

By the time you graduate, you will be prepared not just to thrive in today’s world, but to change tomorrow’s world. That’s what thinkers and learners do.


Degrees

This degree provides a solid background in computer science with supporting coursework in applied mathematics and business. Adding an appropriate minor field of study can complement the program, as well as give the graduate a competitive edge in the work force.

LSSU is also a member of the National Center for Women & Information Technology – Academic Alliance (NCWIT).


Women in Computer Science

There are many opportunities for women today in computer science! To help prepare young women for careers in computer science, students attend the biennial Michigan Celebration of Women in Computing Conference. MICWIC is part of a nationwide effort to inspire women to enter computer science professions.

LSSU is also a member of the National Center for Women & Information Technology – Academic Alliance (NCWIT).

Students Dominique Taylor, left, and Lauren Rawson pose with Microsoft’s Jennifer Marsman, a keynote speaker at the Michigan Celebration of Women in Computing Conference held in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Choosing the Right Academic Program

Most of the careers in computer and information systems require at least a bachelor degree. At LSSU you can choose the academic program that works for you. Some students pursuing a bachelor degree in computer science also choose to complete an associate’s degree or a minor in business, accounting, mathematics or web development. Some students choose to complete the associate degree and continue on to finish your bachelor degree.

Most of the careers in computer and information systems require at least a bachelor degree. At LSSU you can choose the academic program that works for you. Some students pursuing a bachelor degree in computer science also choose to complete an associate’s degree or a minor in business, accounting, mathematics or web development. Some students choose to complete the associate degree and continue on to finish your bachelor degree.

For more information about our computer science program, contact Dr. Christopher Smith at [email protected].


See Program Catalog

Why Study Computer Science at LSSU?

  • Our Curriculum - We have a strong, applied CS curriculum that is highly-values by both corporations and graduate schools. Our  small class sizes facilitate closer interaction with, and greater individual attention from, our professors.  Our curriculum is continuously updated to address shifts in the marketplace and follows the latest ACM Computer Science Curricula.

  • Programming Languages - At LSSU, students learn a variety of programming languages including Python, C/C++, Java, Perl, Lua, JavaScript, PHP, Swift, SQL (MySQL/SQL Server), and ASP with MVC.

  • Current Technologies - LSSU is a member of the Apple University program, providing students with access to the software needed to learn how to create mobile applications for Apple devices. Students in the mobile applications programming course develop iPhone applications using Apple laptops.

  • Facilities - Our facilities provide students with the tools they need. Students have 24-hour access to two dedicated labs! Using VMWare and virtual machines, students are able to gain experiences across multiple operating systems and programming languages.

  • Senior Projects/Research - In the sophomore projects course you will to learn how to analyze the needs of an actual client, to design and implement a solution for their problem, and to deliver that project on time. In your senior year, you will complete a two semester senior capstone experience where you will be challenged to manage larger and more complex client projects. You will develop “soft skills” to communicate with clients, to prepare written documentation and reports, to deliver presentations and training to clients, and to work effectively on teams.

  • Internships - Our project clients come from the university, state and local government, and corporations. The work can be a software or networking project, an internship with a local corporation, or even a research project!

Senior Projects/Research

Isaac Anderson, Andrew Folkersma, Austin Keppel, Thomas Sliger

The current assessment software, Nuventive Improve, used by faculty and staff has several problems, such as being slow, unorganized, and difficult to use. The LSSU Assessment Software project is a multi-year computer science and computer networking project that has the goal of creating a new and improved software suite tailored to the needs of LSSU faculty and staff while managing assessment data. The LSSU Assessment Software project is a web-based application that will give users an improved user experience with the ability to more easily manage data.

Karalyn Jobe, Caden Moran, and Bryce Toman

This project is intended to assist professors with the advising process and make more efficient, as it is infeasible for one advisor to memorize the specific needs of every student that they advise. Our group has created an application that will be used to generate plans of study for Engineering students at LSSU. The application has an interactive interface for ease-of-use and creates a customized plan of study for students based upon the classes for which they have credit, the classes which they still need to take, and the prerequisite chains for those remaining Engineering classes. The project was designed to allow extension in the future to cover other degree programs at LSSU.

iconWhere Our Students Are Working

  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Software Developers and Computer Programmers
  • Database Administrators
  • Computer Support Specialists
  • Computer and Information Research Scientists

Choosing A Career In Computer Science

Computer Science isn’t just about programming, it’s about solving real-world problems. So it’s no wonder that you will find computer scientists working in a variety of careers.

In today’s world, students want to know if they can get a job in their field when they graduate? With computer science, you are not just limited to one career path. A degree in computer science can lead you in many directions. Computer Science is the umbrella for three technology-related majors, Computer Science, Computer Networking and Web Development.

Did You Know?

The job outlook for a graduate with a computer science degree is very exciting.

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Computer Science careers listed among the best jobs?

Software Developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.

Jobs that generally require a degree in Computer Science listed among the top 11 Best Jobs by CBS News:

  • #1 Data Scientist
  • #2 DevOps Engineer
  • #3 Data Engineer
  • #5 Analytics Manager
  • #7 Database Administrator
  • #11 UX Designer

Job Outlook

Job outlook is 22%, faster than average with a projected increase of 222,600 jobs between 2012 – 2022. That means there are jobs are available now and will continue to grow in numbers in the future.

$135,800

Computer and Information Systems Managers

$111,840

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$102,280

Software
Developers

$87,220

Computer Systems Analyst

$84,950

Database Administrators

$79,840

Computer Programmers

Description of Computing Science Careers

Computer Science isn’t just about programming, it’s about solving problems. So it’s no wonder that you will find computer scientists working in a variety of careers. A bachelor degree is the minimum recommended level of education for all of these careers.

Help bridge the gap between business and information technology. Sometimes they work as IT Project Managers overseeing the implementation of a new application system, technology project or manage the IT staff. Professionals in this field may have additional specialties in:

  • Quality assurance analysts work with programmers to make sure the programs work as they were designed.
  • Program analysts do more than program! They also work with business to understand the needs of the company and how the programs can help improve the business.
  • Systems designers or systems architects help manage the company information technology infrastructure, including choosing the hardware and software programs that the company will use in the workplace.

Write code to create software programs. They not only create programs that run on a single computer, but they also can create network applications, and programs that are run over the Internet or a gaming machine.

Help companies manage large amounts of data, including storing data. They help companies to retrieve data in different ways to help them understand the problems and identify solutions. They help secure the data and prevent the data from unauthorized access. Database administrators may work with financial data, e-commerce data, and even health care data.

Provide assistance in companies to employees and customers.

  • Computer network support specialists, provide technical support for employees.
  • Computer user support specialists provide technical support for non-IT users.

Create and improve computer algorithms to help solve problems in business, science and other areas. Some professionals specialize in data mining of large datasets, which help them analyze data and find new ways to solve problems. These fields often require additional education at the graduate level. Professionals in this field may have additional specialties in:

  • Data mining is a field that is very popular now and often includes both corporate data mining and client data retrieved from their visits to the company web site.
  • Robotics is a field that studies how to create programs that work with physical objects such as a manufacturing assembly or a robot on Mars that can analyze the soil.
  • Programming at this level is focused on development of new programming languages, tools and techniques.

Where Our Students Are Working

Citrix Systems, Inc.

Krista Cobourn (BS Computer Science, 2007) and her sister Aimée Walker (BS Mathematics, 2007) both work for Citrix Systems, Inc., which is based in Santa Barbara, CA. Krista works as a Technical Specialist, and Aimée works as a Technical Coordinator.

Both jobs involve resolving technical issues long after most agents and the customers themselves have given up hope of a resolution. One of their favorite perks is the ability to work from home or from just about anywhere. For example, Krista now lives in Portland, OR, and works from her home office. Both Aimée and Krista enjoy spending month-long “work-cations” at their parents’ home in Dafter, MI, usually during the summer.