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������ý���� has announced that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will offer a computer science major that will lead to a Bachelor of Science degree beginning fall 2017. The computer science major will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to launch a career in computing, a field in especially high demand.

Students will be prepared for careers in software development, systems analysis, computer networking and programming, and for graduate study in computer and data science.

“Computer science touches every aspect of modern human life,” says Dr. John Bochanski, the program’s director and assistant professor of physics at ������ý����. “It’s a necessary life skill. Whether you work in biology, chemistry, business or another field — computing is used. We wanted to give students the chance to make their own impact on this exciting industry, and we’ve constructed a bona fide computer science program for the needs of today’s students.”

The new major comes at a key time for prospective students. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, there are currently more computing jobs available than there are qualified graduates, and the median starting salary of 2015 computer science graduates was $57,273. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computing and information technology jobs will grow overall by 22 percent through 2022.

The program is designed to teach students the principles of computation and algorithms, and to help them develop the essential programming and computing skills needed to step into any computing environment. Students will focus on team-based assignments to analyze problems and collaborate on solutions. 

“It comes down to problem solving,” says Bochanski. “You’re taking a powerful tool and coaxing it to solve a problem. You’re developing a mindset of looking at a problem and figuring out how to solve it, and that will benefit you no matter what type of student you are or what field you go into.”

The aim of the major is to help students develop skills that can transfer to any line of work. Bochanski highlights the growing need for positions like information security analysts and health data or business intelligence analysts, in addition to computer programmers and web developers.

“The program is cutting-edge, and we’re following the latest trends. Cybersecurity is getting quite a bit of attention right now, so we will have classes that focus on that throughout the four-year program,” Bochanski explains. “And employers look for students who can read and understand big data — that’s something we’ll focus on too.”

The curriculum was developed with the help of leading computer experts, including Elizabeth Hawthorne, chair of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Committee for Computing Education in Community Colleges. It aligns with the latest curriculum standards of the ACM and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society.

"The new degree in computer science is a welcomed addition to the curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences," says Dean Jonathan Millen. "It represents a wonderful balance between a traditional liberal arts education and the applied focus that is in such demand today."

To learn how to apply for admission to ������ý����, contact the Office of Admissions at 800-257-9026.