Work on the cutting edge of technology and innovation in a rapidly growing career field.
As a computer science student, you have the opportunity to get a concentration in cybersecurity. This is the study of computer security, network management, encryption, traffic monitoring, intrusion detection and incident response management.
This cybersecurity concentration prepares you for a variety of careers in network defense and as a cybersecurity analyst. It also prepares you for continued education in masters, or doctoral programs, at other universities. The program has strong connections with graduate schools in our region and some students transfer into these programs after completing their undergraduate degrees, while other start careers in cybersecurity after graduation.
This program follows the U.S. government’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) curriculum and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
In addition to the standard computer science courses focusing on computational science, operating systems, programming languages, computer architecture, system analysis and design, data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, students in the cybersecurity concentration take six courses in cyber-crime, governance, cyber forensics, network security, ethical hacking and computer security.
Program Overview
LR's computer science and information technology programs strive for academic excellence by offering rigorous courses designed to challenge the qualified and motivated student and to liberate the mind through an emphasis on quantitative and abstract reasoning, problem-solving, critical thinking and strong communication skills.
A major in computer science prepares students for positions in business, industry, education or graduate programs in computer science, information systems or information technology. The computer science major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and includes courses that provide a balance between the development of science, mathematics and business-related applications. Available courses provide the necessary theoretical fundamentals for the study of algorithms, programming and the design of computer systems, as well as the application of computing to business and management. The wide variety of electives allows the student to tailor the major to theoretical computer science or to information systems.
Learning Outside the Classroom
Computer science majors have numerous opportunities to gain firsthand experience outside the classroom. Students are encouraged to take advantage of internships and mentor opportunities, allowing them to work with and learn from experienced computer science professionals. There are also opportunities to attend conferences that highlight new
developments and opportunities in the growing and exciting field of computer science.
Career Opportunities
Students who complete degrees in computer science generally have bright professional futures-if they are prepared to stay current with a fast-moving field. As computing technologies continue to expand and evolve, professional opportunities will arise for individuals with expertise in developing and maintaining computers and computer systems. Opportunities exist across a surprisingly diverse array of professions:
- software engineering, programming and development
- systems and database analysis and administration
- computer engineering
- web development
- quality assurance and cybersecurity
Students who can combine technical skills with the ability to communicate, collaborate, think critically and assess analytically will possess a distinctive advantage. LR's rich integration of professional preparation with a deep grounding in the liberal arts provides an excellent model for professional practice.
One Year Practical Project
Before graduating, both computer science and information technology students have an opportunity to use their new skills in a one-year software development team capstone project.
As a student, you will have the ability to explore the inner workings of constructing a software program that will be used in the real world. You will also learn teamwork skills and how to interact with other software developers. This one-year experience can boost your résumé and provide powerful talking points when interviewing for a job after graduation.
In the fall semester, the year before graduating, a CSC-400 course covers methodologies that can be used when starting with an idea and then developing it into actual working software. Throughout the first four months, you will discover many intricate design and software engineering details involved in building programs.
In the following spring semester, the CSC 460 course gives you hands-on experience creating a complete set of working software. Your team meets with real-world clients and implements a software solution for their needs. Once you understand multifaceted requirements, the fun part of software development begins. This is a time when your team experiences the thrill and excitement of real project teamwork.
For many students, this is a lasting memory that stays with them for a lifetime and also provides an experience that helps them land that dream job.
Major Requirements
As a computer science student, you also have the opportunity to get a concentration in cyber security. This is the study of computer security, network management, encryption, traffic monitoring, intrusion detection and incident response management.
This program follows the U.S. government's National Initiative for Cyber Security Education (NICE) curriculum and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
In addition to the standard computer science courses focusing on computational science, operating systems, programming languages, computer architecture, system analysis and design, data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, students in the cyber security concentration take six courses in cyber-crime, governance, cyber forensics, network security, ethical hacking and computer security.
NOTE: For students wishing to double-major in Computer Science and Information Technology, required courses for both majors must be satisfied, and at least 15 unique credit hours must be earned in the second major.
Honors
Students majoring in Computer Science or Information Technology who are judged qualified by the faculty may, upon invitation, elect to pursue honors work in Computer Science or Information Technology. To graduate "With Honors is Computer Science or Information Technology" students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum major GPA of 3.2. In addition, they must complete twelve credits of honors work in the relevant program (Computer Science or Information Technology), including an acceptable senior project, complete an original thesis to be submitted for approval of the faculty, and pass an oral defense of the research.