Design Creative Solutions
You're interested in exploring both your technical and creative sides—left brain and right brain. In IUP's BA in Computer Science program, you'll get the ultimate combination of both. This major can prepare you to develop software, design games, further artificial intelligence (AI), and more.
Working with computers goes beyond the machinery and teaches you how we interact with technology. A Computer Science BA is where digital skills and the principles of humanities meet. With 20 percent growth expected over the next 10 years, the computer science industry needs prepared, creative graduates like you.
Why Major in Computer Science at IUP?
Virtually every industry worldwide, from law enforcement to financial systems, manufacturing, and entertainment, will need your computing and analytical skills. You'll work in small learning communities and collaborate within a group of like-minded peers, under the close instruction of our experienced faculty (not graduate students).
You'll interact with both computer science faculty and alumni. They'll help you:
- Secure internships.
- Get hands-on experience.
- Lead research projects.
Graduates of IUP's computer science program find jobs in both public and private enterprises, from Fortune 500 technology companies to local startups.
What can you do with a BA in Computer Science? The possibilities are endless:
- Algorithm design
- Animation
- App development
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Gaming
- Language processing
- Software and development
- Systems administration
- Web development
You'll gain in-depth skills and graduate ready to enter the workforce and analyze complex problems, identify interdisciplinary solutions, and manage software implementations.
What You'll Learn
You'll learn the fundamentals of computer science and take classes in other subjects that will help you adapt to new technologies as they arise.
- Algorithms
- App development
- Coding
- Creative problem-solving
- Data structures
- Programming
- Solution modeling
- Web development
In your capstone course, you'll work on a team to develop a large-scale system.
Imagine Your Future
You'll be entering an industry with rapid and consistent growth. And you'll be armed with the skills you need to get hired in a number of positions. You might go to graduate school or find a career in analytical and computer-dependent areas of business, government, and industry.
Recent graduates from our BA in Computer Science program find top career placements at:
- Comcast
- Fidelity
- Naval Supply Systems Command
- PNC Bank
- US Department of Defense
The world of computer science is consistently evolving. Here is the latest salary and career information.
Classes and Requirements
You'll choose the computer science courses that best fit your interests and abilities. Most of our computer science classes are held in computer labs, so you get hands-on experience that connects theory with supervised practice.
The BA in Computer Science program has fewer requirements than the BS in Computer Science tracks. With fewer required classes, you can customize your upper level classes to fit your interests and meet your career goals. Consider taking a six- to eight-month paid internship to understand the true nature of applying computing knowledge to industry.
The BA in Computer Science is IUP's most flexible degree option. You might choose this major if you're planning to double major or tailor your degree program to meet specific interests.
After finishing the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science program, alumni often pursue graduate degrees at institutions including:
- University of Notre Dame
- Georgia State University
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Computer Science Tracks
There are several tracks within the computer science program that can add to your knowledge and skills:
- Cyber Security
- Languages and Systems
- Software Engineering
All of the computer science programs cover core computer fundamentals, such as:
- Algorithms
- Data structures
- Database design
- Problem solving
- Programming
- Software engineering
Progressing through the computer science core gives you time to identify the right track for your interests and goals. The broad foundation you'll gain—along with the addition of a specialization—will teach you to be agile so you'll be ready to adapt to rapidly changing trends in the computer science field.
Amazingly Interactive Student Experience
From contests and competitions to internships and research with faculty, computer science at IUP is engaging and dynamic.
- Student competitions—Our IUP Programming Team was highly successful at the PACISE competition.
- PACISE activities—IUP is a PACISE member, so you can join in on conferences, programming contests, and security competitions, including a capture the flag event with topics spanning stack overflow, heap overflow, and kernel overflow.
- Internships—You'll get guidance from a faculty member dedicated to mentoring students through the internship search and application process.
- A small student cohort and a close sense of community.
- Opportunities for publication.
- One-on-one research with faculty—Past research projects span anomaly detection, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), development and implementation of machine learning algorithms, embedded cyber-physical systems, and cybersecurity systems.
Research Opportunities
IUP's computer science professors are passionate about computer science. And they're committed to giving you personal attention to help you meet your goals.
You'll learn from our renowned computer science faculty, who have:
- Industrial experience on what is needed for a career.
- Connections to paid internships with local and national employers.
Along with research project and publication milestones and awards, computer science faculty are senior members of these well-regarded professional organizations:
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Our faculty members are experts in their disciplines as well as effective teachers. Learn about the Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department faculty and their research projects.