Computer Science
The computer science undergraduate major at Penn State has two phases. The first phase introduces the concepts of modern computer science, including structured programming languages and efficient, productive programming. The second phase examines data structures, programming languages, and computer systems in detail. Course work involves writing computer applications and polishing programming skills.
The baccalaureate program in computer science provides a fundamental education to prepare students for positions in industry, government, education, or commerce, or to pursue graduate study. The computer science curriculum is organized with two goals in mind. First, upon graduation a student must be prepared to meet immediate demands in solving computational problems. Second, a student must have sufficient understanding of basic principles and concepts in computer science to avoid technological obsolescence in the rapidly changing information technology environment.
Graduates of our computer science degree will be prepared with technical knowledge and professional skills for the practice and future development in their profession along different career paths. We expect them to engage in continuous learning activities, to continue to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders in multidisciplinary and multicultural work environments, and to maintain a strong commitment to ethical practices in their profession. Due to their experience in our program, within a few years of their graduation we expect our graduates to have the following career and professional accomplishments:
- Those employed in industry and focused on technical accomplishments will demonstrate professional advancement by their promotion or other recognition of their technical skills.
- Those who pursue additional formal education related to their technical skills, either directly or soon after graduation, will have completed or be near completion of a graduate degree or other technical certification.
- Those who pursue career paths or formal education unrelated or tangential to their degree program will have applied their broad educational skills, including analytical problem solving, communication and independent learning, towards a new discipline.
- Those employed by government or industry and focused on leadership will demonstrate professional advancement through expanded leadership responsibility based on their acquired technical knowledge and experience.
- Those employed by government or industry and focused on management will demonstrate professional advancement through expanded management responsibilities based on their acquired management training and experience.
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The computer science program is designed to enable students to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
This program is intended to produce computer science professionals and not merely technicians with some training in computer programming. Success requires a strong aptitude in mathematics. Because of the close relationship to computer science, concurrent majors in computer engineering and computer science are not permitted.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
A description of all computer science courses can be found in LionPATH.
