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Utica University
Computer Science - Huss - Student at Computer_0048

Computer Science Department

  1. Directory
  2. Computer Science Department

What We Do

The Utica University computer science department follows a curriculum recommended by the Association for Computing Machinery. ACM is the oldest organization of computer professionals and establishes the guidelines used by most colleges.

Phone
(315) 792-5291
Email
arivera@utica.edu
Department Type
Academic
Office Location
191 Gordon Science Center

Computer science majors at Utica University pursue concentrations in one of three areas: business applications, scientific applications, or computer security.

Foundations in the theory of computer science, including data models, structures, and algorithms. Prepares students for a wide range of careers, including knowledge engineering, virtual reality, aerospace, computer security, and business.

Program Features

  • Access to the on-campus Computer Forensics Research and Development Center, which supports the military, law enforcement, and commercial industry in the prevention and detection of economic crime

  • Individual attention from faculty with extensive experience in business, industry, and government

  • Follows guidelines provided by the Association for Computing Machinery, the nation's oldest professional organization for computer scientists

Special Opportunities

The Economic Crime Investigation Laboratory at Utica is unique in the country and is used by both computer science and economic crime investigation majors to get hands-on experience working with computer security.

Facilities

Utica University maintains many academic computer laboratories on campus. Classes are taught in some of the computer labs; all labs are accessible to any Utica student during published hours. The labs are equipped with laser printers and scanners, and the computers have word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs as well as specialized software for specific courses. Student assistants and a Computer Help Desk provide any assistance that students need.

Faculty

While the curriculum is excellent, the real strength of the program is its faculty. The professors have a significant experience with computer systems and continue to share their professional knowledge with students both in and out of the classroom.

Co-ops

There are many opportunities for paid work experiences related to the computer science field. They include part time positions during the semester with full-time work in the summer. Among the organizations actively recruiting our students for co-op positions are IBM, New York Power Authority, Air Force Research Lab, and PAR Technologies. There are also many relevant and interesting work experiences available on campus.

Career Opportunities

Perhaps one of the best indications of the strength of the faculty and curriculum is the success of Utica University's graduates. Alumni have gone on to employment in knowledge engineering, virtual reality, aerospace, NASA, computer security, business, and many other related fields.

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR

COMPUTER SCIENCE MINOR

The major in computer science will prepare the student to work with computers and develop systems utilizing the computer in areas of science, industry, civil service, and education. For those desiring more specialization, the program is a sound preparation for graduate study in computer science.

There are three concentrations that can be taken to meet the major-related requirements of the computer science major.

  • The Scientific Concentration is intended for the science and technology oriented student. The mathematical background obtained will prepare the graduate to handle analytical problems and systems requiring a scientific preparation and mathematical sophistication.
  • The Business Concentration is intended for the student who needs less mathematical sophistication and who intends to work primarily in areas where the computer is applied to business or non-mathematical problems.
  • The Computer Security Concentration is intended for the student who is interested in pursuing a career that focuses on protecting information within both government and private sectors.

Students considering public school teaching as a career should refer to the programs in education.

Total credit hours required for degree: 120

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR

1. Computing is part of everything we do!

Computing and computer technology are part of just about everything that touches our lives from the cars we drive, to the movies we watch, to the ways businesses and governments deal with us. Understanding different dimensions of computing is part of the necessary skill set for an educated person in the 21st century. Whether you want to be a scientist, develop the latest killer application, or just know what it really means when someone says “the computer made a mistake”, studying computing will provide you with valuable knowledge.


2. Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging problems.

Computing is a discipline that offers rewarding and challenging possibilities for a wide range of people regardless of their range of interests. Computing requires and develops capabilities in solving deep, multidimensional problems requiring imagination and sensitivity to a variety of concerns.


3. Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world.

Computing drives innovation in the sciences (human genome project, AIDS vaccine research, environmental monitoring and protection just to mention a few), and also in engineering, business, entertainment and education. If you want to make a positive difference in the world, study computing.


4. Computing offers many types of lucrative careers.

Computing jobs are among the highest paid and have the highest job satisfaction. Computing is very often associated with innovation, and developments in computing tend to drive it. This, in turn, is the key to national competitiveness. The possibilities for future developments are expected to be even greater than they have been in the past.


5. Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are located.

There actually are more computing jobs than qualified people to fill them in the United States. U.S. IT employment was 17% higher in 2004 than in 1999. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says computing has the greatest potential for new jobs through 2014. Yes, some IT jobs have gone overseas. If you consider the expected growth in computing, it’s easy to see that companies simply need more talent. Don’t miss out on pursuing the large number of open positions available right now, here in the United States.


6. Expertise in computing helps you even if your primary career choice is something else.

Having a computing major will provide you with a foundation of knowledge, problem solving and logical thinking that will serve as a competitive advantage to you in your career, in whatever field you choose.


7. Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness.

Creating high-quality computing solutions is a highly creative activity, and computing supports creative work in many other fields. The best solutions in computing exhibit high levels of elegance and beauty.


8. Computing has space for both collaborative work and individual effort.

Computing is often about being part of a team that requires people with many different kinds of skills. Yet there is also plenty of space for individual flair and imagination.


9. Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic preparation.

An increasing number of universities and employers see successful completion of a computer science course as a sign of academic well-roundedness.


10. Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries.

Computing is one of those fields where it is almost impossible to predict what will happen next. This is why we cannot even begin to imagine all the ways that you can make a contribution to it and it can make your life’s work exciting and real.


Source: Computing Degrees & Careers, ACM 
 

Related Links 

  • Coding: http://www.code.org/
  • Scholarships: http://www.computerscience.org/scholarships/

    1. What is a prerequisite?

    A prerequisite is a requirement that you must satisfy before you can take a particular course. For example, CSC 101 is the prerequisite for CSC 102. This means that you cannot sign up for CSC 102 until you have successfully completed CSC 101. Check the "Recommended Course Schedule" link on the left for more information.
     

    2. In what semester should I be taking specific computer science courses?

    Visit the Recommend Course Schedule to learn more.
     

    3. How is my advisor chosen?

    A secretary in the Arts and Science division office (room 286 Gordon Science Center) assigns an advisor to you based on the number of advisees each faculty member currently has. A student can request that a particular faculty member be his or her advisor simply by telling one of the division secretaries of your choice.
     

    4. What kinds of work will I be doing if I earn a computer science degree?

    The work that you maybe doing with a computer science degree is Programming, Networking, Information Technology things. Types of Jobs and Place that you maybe able to work if you get a computer science degree are listed under the Job opportunities and Co-ops.
     

    5. How much money can I earn if I graduate with a computer science degree?

    See "Job Opportunities and Co-Ops" Drop Down.
     

    6. How can I become a computer science major at Utica University?

    * For new students simply state on the application form that you want to be a computer science major.
    * For current students, go to the Arts and Science Division office in room 268 Gordon Science Center and ask one of the secretaries for a change of major/declaration of major form. Fill it out and hand it to the secretary.
     

    7. Who can I contact to learn more about Utica University's computer science major?

    Angel Rivera 
    Chair of Computer Science 
    Email: arivera@utica.edu
    Phone: (315) 792-5291

    8. How can I arrange a visit to Utica University?

    Check out the UC Admissions Visit page for more

    Job Opportunities and Co-ops

    Career Opportunities

    Perhaps one of the best indications of the strength of the faculty and curriculum is the success of Utica College's graduates. Alumni have gone on to employment in knowledge engineering, virtual reality, aerospace, NASA, computer security, business, and many other related fields.

    Co-ops

    There are many opportunities for paid work experiences related to the computer science field. They include part time positions during the semester with full-time work in the summer. Among the organizations actively recruiting our students for co-op positions are IBM, New York Power Authority, Air Force Research Lab, and PAR Technologies. There are also many relevant and interesting work experiences available on campus.

    Employers of Utica University graduates

    Air Force Research Lab
    Booz-Allen Hamilton
    Par Technology
    BAE Systems
    Metropolitan Insurance
    Utica National Insurance Co.
    NY Central Mutual
    Disa-Datal Interchange Co.
    AskPaul, Inc
    United Cerebral Palsy
    NYS Taxation Dept.
    Interboro System Corp.
    Utica University
    AMS
    Utica First Insurance
    Syracuse China, Inc
    Daniel Green Co.
    American Management Systems
    Syracuse Research Corporation
    Martin Marietta
    Gilbarco
    United Parcel Service
    ADP
    Utica Mutual Insurance
    Johnson & Johnson
    Wells College
    DAQ Electric
    Lockheed Martin
    LittonTASC
    IBM
    GTE

    Types of Employers

    Insurance Companies
    Electric Companies
    Mail Delivery Companies
    Universities/Colleges
    Credit Card Companies
    Engineering Companies
    Computer Companies
    Leasing Companies
    Government Agencies
    Technology Contractors
    Pharmaceuticals
    Defense Contractors
    State Agencies
    Accounting Firms
    School Systems

    Job Titles

    Electronic Data Processing Manager
    Operations Research Specialist
    Technical Support Representative
    Applications Programmer
    Database Manager
    Artificial Intelligence Specialist
    Operating Systems Programmer
    Special Effects (FX) Specialist
    Technical Sales Representative
    Computer Engineer
    Computer Programmer
    Technical Writer
    Software Engineer
    Facility Engineer Specialist
    Systems Analyst
    Systems Programmer
    System Software Developer
    Web Technologist
    Manager, Management Info.
    Computer Systems Manager

    More information about Computer and Information Technology Occupations can be found HERE.

    National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

    The median annual wages for Computer and Information Research Scientists can be found HERE.
     

     

     

    In what semester should you be taking specific computer science courses?

    Below is a general plan showing which semester a particular computer science course could be taken. There are many factors that go into determining what is best for any individual student so the following should be used as a general guideline only. Each student should work with a computer science faculty member to design a schedule that meets his or her individual needs. Note that only the major course requirements are shown below. Major-related (Mathematics 201, Mathematics 202 and Philosophy 108) and courses required for the concentration and general education core are not shown in the framework below. Note also that this plan assumes that you are at Utica College for eight semesters. It would be difficult to create this kind of a plan for transfer students. Therefore, if you are a transfer student it is important for you to work with your advisor to create a schedule that makes sense for you.
     

    Freshman Year

     Fall Spring
     CSC 101 CSC 102
     CSC 116 CSC 301
     CSC 201 

    Sophomore Year

     Fall Spring
     CSC 316 CSC 303
     CSC 323 

    Junior Year

     Fall Spring
     CSC 322 CSC 425
     CSC 325 

    Senior Year

     Fall Spring 
     CSC 343  CSC 433
     
     

    Prerequisites For Computer Science Courses


    CS_curriculum_graph


     

    • The Advising Form for Computer Science Majors can be found HERE.
    • Academic Requirements for Computer Science can be found HERE.
    • The information about Core Requirements and Core Exemption Criteria can be found HERE.
    • Utica University Catalogs can be found HERE.

    Keep up to date on events, projects, and resources out of the Utica University Computer Science Department.

    VISIT CS.UTICA.EDU

    Contact Us

    Dr. Angel Rivera

    Dr. Angel Rivera and students

    Dr. Angel Rivera

    Chair of Computer Science
    (315) 792-5291
    arivera@utica.edu

    I would like to see logins and resources for:

    For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

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