BS in Computer Science
Florida Institute of Technology
Key Information
Campus location
Melbourne, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 21,173 / per semester
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
Introduction
What is a Computer Science Degree?
Computer science focuses on the fundamental theory of computing. Far more than mere programming, computer science encompasses the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking and explores how to design, develop, and test software and information systems.
Whether you want to develop new methods of human-computer interaction, design intelligent systems, or program high-powered software applications, a computer science degree from Florida Tech develops a strong background in computer systems with experience in programming and information management.
Accreditation
The undergraduate computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Small Classes — Personalized Attention from Internationally Renowned Faculty
Florida Tech is known for its small class sizes and low faculty-to-student ratio, creating a tight-knit learning community where professors give individualized attention. Students are often with the same faculty advisor throughout their college experience and find it easy to interact with professors for consultation and mentoring. Because we are one of the top computer science schools, Florida Tech professors provide financial support to about 10% of students through research grants they direct—a true testament to Florida Tech’s student-centered organizational culture.
Florida Tech’s faculty are active and internationally known researchers with expertise in computer security, intelligent systems, computer vision, complex networks, and distributed negotiations. Research being done by our faculty involves students in projects related to machine learning, computer vision, biologically inspired computing, data mining, cyber security, cryptography, speech recognition, and more.
Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-Tech Corridor
Florida Tech is the perfect place for a Computer Science degree. The 130-acre campus is located on the Space Coast (so named because of the presence of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral just north of us), minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America.
The area has the fifth-largest high-tech workforce in the country, with more than 5,000 high-tech corporations and government and military organizations located nearby. This workforce also provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities.
Florida Tech is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches, and a short trip to the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and collegiate sports, clubs, and social activities.
Build Lasting Professional Relationships through Campus Organizations
Beyond the classroom, students earning a computer science degree build leadership and professional experience through exciting participation in academic organizations like Upsilon Pi Epsilon (computer science honor society), student government, or over 100 other student organizations.
Outside the classroom, students join the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), a professional student organization that encourages members to network with other computer scientists from around the country. ACM also holds workshops and a “CS Fest” to promote interest in the field. You can also take part in ACM's Annual International Collegiate Programming Contest. In the last decade, programming teams have consistently placed in the top ten of the southeast region. Florida Tech has advanced to the world finals five times in the past 15 years in what is also referred to as the “Battle of the Brains” because it brings together the best student problem-solvers from all over the world.
Members of Florida Tech's chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (better known as FIT-IEEE) stress the importance of education, networking, research, and friendship during their studies. They also compete in robotics competitions and other team-based projects.
Video gamers and science fiction fans can also join the Florida Tech Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy (FITSFF) to take part in gaming competitions, science fiction movie-watching nights, and other group activities to make connections with students from other departments with similar interests.
Curriculum
Gain Practical Experience
Computer science students at Florida Tech can choose from a variety of sub-fields for their computer science degree including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Human-computer interaction
- Computer architecture
- Graphics
- Databases
- Operating systems
- Computational science
Computer science students learn the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking and gain the ability to express solutions to problems using computer programming languages. First-year courses for a computer science degree give you a foundation in software development and cover computer organization, allowing you to begin doing computer science on day one.
You also take a seminar in computer science disciplines and careers, learn about supercomputers, and develop high-performance applications using our Blueshark HPC cluster (a 576-processor core IBM system). As a senior, you’ll complete a team design project where you'll conceptualize, design, construct, and present a novel software application.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the computer science major at Florida Tech is a unique and well-rounded program that provides a solid technical background for careers in the computing profession or for graduate studies. Computer science majors study the structure of typical computer systems, the techniques and theories supporting software development, and specialized areas such as computer graphics, artificial intelligence, networks, and information management. After graduation, they are equipped to enter the workforce as systems analysts, application and system developers, or software specialists and are provided with the background necessary for graduate study.
Students must complete the following minimum course requirements:
Freshman Year
Fall (16 credit hours)
- COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric
- CSE 1001 Fundamentals of Software Development 1
- CSE 1101 Computing Disciplines and Careers 1
- CSE 1400 Applied Discrete Mathematics
- FYE 1000 University Experience
- MTH 1001 Calculus 1 or MTH 1010 Honors Calculus 1
Spring (18 credit hours)
- COM 1102 Writing About Literature
- CSE 1002 Fundamentals of Software Development 2
- CSE 2120 Computer Organization and Machine Programming
- MTH 1002 Calculus 2 or MTH 1020 Honors Calculus 2
- Restricted Elective (laboratory science*) Credit Hours: 4
Sophomore Year
Fall (17 credit hours)
- COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication
- CSE 2010 Algorithms and Data Structures
- Restricted Elective (laboratory science*) Credit Hours: 4
Select the first HUM Core Course:
- HUM 2051 Civilization 1: Ancient Through Medieval
- HUM 2141 World Art History 1: Pre-History to Early Global Awareness
- HUM 2211 British Literature and Culture
- HUM 2212 British and American Literature 1
- HUM 2331 American History: Pre-Columbian to Civil War Era
- HUM 2551 Survey of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
Select the second HUM Core Course:
- HUM 2052 Civilization 2: Renaissance Through Modern
- HUM 2142 World Art History 2: Early Modern to Post-Colonial
- HUM 2212 British and American Literature 1 (may not be repeated for credit)
- HUM 2213 British and American Literature 2
- HUM 2332 American History: From Reconstruction to the Present
- HUM 2552 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
Spring (15 credit hours)
- CSE 2050 Programming in a Second Language
- CSE 2400 Applied Statistics
- CSE 2410 Introduction to Software Engineering
- MTH 3102 Introduction to Linear Algebra
- Humanities Elective (HU) 3000-level or higher recommended Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year
Fall (15 credit hours)
- CSE 4001 Operating Systems Concepts
- CSE 4020 Database Systems
- CSE 4250 Programming Language Concepts
- Restricted Elective (CSE) Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective (MTH or Science) Credit Hours: 3
Spring (16 credit hours)
- CSE 3100 Junior Project
- CSE 3120 Computer Architecture and Assembly Programming
- CSE 3231 Computer Networks
- CSE 4083 Formal Languages and Automata Theory
- Restricted Elective (MTH or Science) Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective (Social Science) Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year
Fall (15 credit hours)
- CSE 4081 Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms
- CSE 4101 Computer Science Projects 1 (Q)
- CSE 4301 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Technical Elective Credit Hours: 3
Spring (15 credit hours)
- CSE 4102 Computer Science Projects 2 (Q)
- CSE 4232 Computer Network Programming
- CSE 4251 Compiler Theory
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Electives (CSE) Credit Hours: 3
Total Credits Required: 127
*Students select one laboratory science sequence (BIO 1010 Biological Discovery 1 and BIO 1030 Introduction to Biotechnology /BIO 1020 Biological Discovery 2 and BIO 1040 Introduction to Biodiversity and Physiology, CHM 1101 General Chemistry 1/CHM 1102 General Chemistry 2, or PHY 1001 Physics 1/PHY 2091 Physics Laboratory 1 and PHY 2002 Physics 2/PHY 2092 Physics Laboratory 2). Students who complete the physics sequence may apply two credits toward the Restricted Elective (Science) requirement.
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions, and job outlook, among other things.
According to the Bureau, computer science careers are projected to grow 19% through 2020, as companies continue to add personnel to develop software controls for complicated electronics, improve hardware operations, and manage larger and larger amounts of data. From cars to large equipment to hand-held devices, there is a growing emphasis on creating advanced technologies as well as finding innovative ways to prevent attacks, manage cybersecurity, and track hackers.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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