Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Computer Science] From University of St Francis

?You name it, and computer science is right there, making it work in so many different ways.?

• Majors: Computer Science, Computer Science & Mathematics, Information Technology, and Web Application Development
• Minor: Information Technology (combined with Business)
• Certificates: Computer Science Concentration, Information Technology Concentration

So, if you want a career in a field that is always new, always challenging and always growing, computer science is for you, and the University of St. Francis will help you be ready through unique learning experiences.

You will learn:

• That you can attend seminars on topics from Bioinformatics to Human Computer Interaction to Game Programming.
• To design a top notch website and how to support the infrastructure it needs.
• To work on real world projects that offer service opportunities in and out of the classroom.
• That you can study C++, Java, Visual Basic, and more.

Two paths, four majors

USF offers two paths of study and four majors in Computer Science. Two of the majors are cross-discipline to focus on your specific area of interest and career choice.

What is Computer Science? Programs that control what computers can do like move a robotic arm; track patient information; provide data for a 911 call or shuffle a deck of cards are developed by computer science programmers.

For those interested in Computer Programming, there is the Computer Science major and the Computer Science and Mathematics major that is offered in conjunction the Mathematics Department.

Computer Science / Mathematics is for you if like to develop scientific applications or those that require use of higher mathematics. Write the programs that people use to perform tasks on their computers. Businesses and agencies need specialized tasks for their employees and their customers on computers.

What is Information Technology? It?s the infrastructure: the network and machines that make computers work together. Example: operating systems that run computers; communication between computers; wired or wireless; and security to protect computers.

Information Technology prepares you to install and support servers and their operating systems and networks. You?ll gain an understanding of the issues behind supporting large scale environments and working with users to provide them with the platforms they need. Not only will you understand today?s software, but you?ll learn the concepts that will prepare you to cope with software of the future.

For those interested Information Technology such as networking and web development, there are majors in Information Technology and Web Application Development offered in conjunction with the Mass Communication Department.

Web Application Development means designing websites and building and supporting their infrastructure. In other words, you will make web pages and learn about installing and maintaining the servers and networks needed to make them accessible to users. The Internet and the Intranet (a company?s internal version) are fast growing areas of development as companies now see an Internet presence as a requirement for doing business.

Real world application of the theory you learn is important, particularly in the field of computer science where the specific operating systems, programs, even languages will change over the years. We teach the theory firmly grounded in the application in today?s corporate world.

Getting out in the real world is an important component of the innovation that USF students can expect to experience. Our students pursue internships at top companies:

• Argonne National Laboratory
• Caterpillar
• Spring Green
• Intercon Solutions
• Littelfuse
• Sports Nutrition Direct
• Franciscan Communities
• Joliet Fire Department
• Turtol

Why an IT minor with your business major?

Because business relies on IT! The data that contains the heart of the business resides in IT: customer records, inventory information, sales history and invoices. That?s only the beginning. For an insurance company, a bank or a financial institution, there is no other product but ?data? and access to the information that governs your decisions is crucial.

Need more reasons? Communication between locations keeps a business running, so reliable, high speed access to data and customers are an integral part of most businesses. Being able to understand which systems will provide the features and information you need gives you a distinct advantage in productivity.

You?ll be able to communicate with the professionals so that you know what will be needed for reliable and efficient access to your systems. And this is just a start.