Computer Science
The goal of a computer scientist is to create and maintain effective computer systems possible using the most current technology available.
The B.S. in Computer Science prepares you to meet this goal by giving you a solid foundation in not only system programming, database management, and data visualization, but also the unique and evolving fields of computer game development and cybersecurity. You’ll learn to use algorithms, design efficiencies, and computer system applications to improve the productivity of businesses, industry, education, and government—wherever there is a computer, there is a need for computer scientists.
Typical beginning careers for our graduates include applications programmer, systems programmer, systems analyst, systems administrator, and network administrator. You also can prepare for emerging careers in data science, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence. With careful planning and the addition of science course work, you also can prepare for graduate study in computing sub-disciplines such as biological modeling, computational chemistry or physics, or scientific visualization.
Why Penn State Behrend?
The School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend offers you the opportunity to learn in state-of-the-art facilities, conduct research with award-winning faculty, and be recruited by companies around the world.
Your foundational course work in the Computer Science major will stress the fundamentals of computer science— programming, discrete math, data structures, and analysis and design of algorithms. In your fourth year, you’ll complete a two-course senior capstone project in which you’ll propose a significant software project, work with a team to implement that project, and present your work to faculty and peers. This offers you meaningful professional experience and demonstrates relevant skills to potential employers.
You will be strongly encouraged to arrange a computer science internship during your third or fourth year of study. The college’s Academic and Career Planning Center can assist you in your internship search.
Accreditation Matters
The B.S. in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org
A Top 50 School
The School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend consistently places in the Top 50 in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the nation’s undergraduate engineering programs.
Want to Learn More?
The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
