Computer Science

Curriculum

As a computer science major, you'll be exposed to in-depth study of programming, computer organization, algorithms and data structures, theories and applications, networks, and operations systems. Not only will you study courses that focus on computers, but you will also study discrete mathematics, statistics, and calculus, which will prepare graduates to enter technological fields such as systems programming, technical support, research, and teaching. 

COMPUTER SCIENCE LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Students will demonstrate the ability to extend current knowledge and/or skills to a computing environment or problem currently unknown to the student.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to solve problems in the discipline. 
• Students will demonstrate interpretive skills, incuding the ability to: a) analyze data statistically, b) interpret results of experiments, c) draw reasonable conclusions based on experimental results.
• Students will learn and demonstrate standards of professional behavior, including rules of ethics and etiquette. 
• Students will develop and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a group on a common problem.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to search the relevant literature of the discipline to find information that addresses a specific problem.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to produce a technical document. 
• Students will demonstrate the ability to give an effective presentation using visual aids and/or software demonstrations. 

Experiential Learning 

Computer Science majors can participate in off-campus internships, independent study projects, part-time computer employment, lectures by guest speakers, Society of Computing Students, programming, and on-campus employment as lab assistants, lab supervisors, and HelpDesk assistants. These many opportunities to get "real-world" experience outside of the classroom will better prepare graduates for a successful technological-based career and graduate school. 

INTERNSHIPS 

Internships provide you the chance to go into the workforce and gain hands-on experience, which is critical to finding a job after graduation. Internships provide a significant learning experience outside the traditional academic environment and it can be tailored to align with your career goals. Mount Union students have the opportunity to pursue challenging internships with industries in the region including: 

• Patriot Software
• H-P Products
• Progressive Insurance 
  
  

RESEARCH 

Research allows you to analyze and investigate areas that you're most interested in. Students at Mount Union have the following reserach opportunities: 

• Independent reserach study 
• Research with faculty or student peers 
  
  

SOCIETY OF COMPUTING STUDENTS  

Society of Computing Students (SoCS) is a student-led organization on Mount Union's campus. The society provides opportunities for leadership, professional networking, programming contests, and other related activities. 

Careers 

Our rapidly changing, technological world demands innovative minds that are highly trained and grounded in theory to work in the field of computer science. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment in this field will grow by 24 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for increasingly sophisticated technologies will drive this demand, as will the rapid growth in computer systems design and related software sectors, that BLS projects to be among the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy. 

Mount Union's combination of computer science and liberal arts is recognized by business and industry as excellent preparation for a variety of computer and data processing positions. As a major, you will be prepared for meaningful work in a number of areas.

Facilities and Equipment 

The Computer Science Labs, located in the Kolenbrander-Harter Information Center (KHIC), contains Windows workstations with access to Linux and OSX systems with a variety of specialized software, a computer projection system, and a group project and study spaces. Besides the large, main lab, the department has two small labs for special projects.