Plenty of Job Opportunities
For students who are skilled in mathematics and enjoy logic and solving problems, computer science degrees may be the perfect route to a lucrative and fulfilling career. The outlook for graduates from computer science schools is excellent; employment research indicates that job opportunities in computer science will continue to grow in the near future.
Areas of Study for Computer Science Degrees
Computer science programs are offered at a large number of colleges and universities, technical trade schools and through online institutions. Online computer science degrees are particularly attractive to students who are currently working or are unable to move to be near the institution where they will study.
Although it varies slightly by program, most computer science programs involve coursework in the following areas of study:
- Analysis of algorithms
- Animation and special effects
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer architecture
- Computer graphics
- Computer networks
- Cryptology
- Database systems
- Digital logic design
- Discrete mathematics
- Engineering software
- E-commerce technologies
- Fault-tolerant computing
- Image synthesis
- Information system security
- Internet engineering
- Object-oriented analysis and design
- Operating systems
- Software development methods
- Usability engineering
- Web development
- Wireless networks
Recruiters for computer science positions are interested in graduates from computer science colleges who also possess skills in communications and collaboration in addition to their technical skills. As a result, more computer science programs are introducing course offerings in these "soft skills." Some institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon University, are now requiring computer science majors to take courses in humanities and to study for a minor in a non-technical area.
Prospects for Computer Science Graduates
The outlook for graduates with degrees in computer science is excellent, due in part to the increase in job opportunities in this field and also to the relatively smaller number of candidates. Computer science graduates are receiving some of the highest salary offers of any degree major, and the trend is expected to continue.
There are excellent prospects for jobs in computer science in the private sector and in government and non-profit organizations. The top jobs for computer science graduates include:
- Information technology business analyst
- Information technology consultant
- Information technology manager
- Programmer analyst
- Software architect
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Systems engineer
- Web developer
