Computer Science
College of Engineering
Emphases: Entertainment Arts & Engineering (EAE)
Bennion
Center
Capstones
Program
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with your advisor
- Enroll in a pre-major course: CS 1400 or CS 1420
- Start with the right math course for you (ask advisor if unsure)
- Begin GE courses (spread these out)
- Consider the EAE emphasis
Making Progress
Meet with your advisor often to:
- Discuss your progress & CS track certificates
- Learn about course options for CS electives
- Create a path to graduation that works best for you
Keep track of degree requirements:
Finishing Up
- Enroll in senior capstone courses (project or thesis)
- Finish remaining GEs & degree requirements
- Check your degree audit & meet with your advisor to confirm graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend Weeks of Welcome events
- Attend the Get Involved Fair & Engineering Club Rush to explore student groups on campus
- Check out EAE student clubs if interested in games emphasis
Making Progress
- Get connected to the Utah Center for Inclusive Computing (UCIC)
- Join an engineering-related student club/organization
- Form study groups with classmates and peers
- Check out the U calendar for events and try something new
- Use your Arts Pass to access events
- Find a job on campus
- Consider getting involved in ASUU
- Become a UCIC Student Ambassador
Finishing Up
- Network with your fellow classmates & professors
- Take on a leadership role in a student-led club or organization
- Get involved with the Alumni Association and Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Utilize tutoring resources in the School of Computing, Math Center, & the Learning Center
- Research careers that interest you to get an understanding of skills they require
Making Progress
- Attend a STEM or Computing Job Fair to find internships
- Attend Computing Research Day, join a research team, & connect with professors whose research interests you
- Learn about research opportunities through OUR including programs like UROP & SPUR
- Enroll in CS 3011 or CS 3020 to learn about different career paths & prepare for entering the job market
Finishing Up
- Take electives that pique your interest & prepare you for your desired career
- Collaborate with your team to complete your senior capstone
- Present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Transformation
Getting Started
- Find a mentor by connecting with faculty & student leaders
- Request a learning consultation through the Learning Center
- Attend a workshop with the Center for Student Wellness
Making Progress
- Explore resources & services available to you at the University Counseling Center
- Go on a learning abroad trip
- Reach out to professors to engage in research experience
- Analyze your study skills - talk to a Student Success Coach about ways to improve
- Complete an internship that allows you to utilize your knowledge and skills
- Check out student games at EAE's Play and Launch events
Finishing Up
- Showcase your CS skills & share your senior capstone during Demo Day!
- Reflect on what you've learned in the CS program & extracurricular experiences
- Participate in graduation events
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 info session
- Engage in service opportunities with the Bennion Center
- Meet with a Student Success Coach
Making Progress
- Apply to work as a TA, tutor, or UCIC Student Ambassador
- Apply to participate in the Alternative Breaks program through the Bennion Center
- Explore for-credit internships with the Hinckley Institute
- Check out flexible & intensive course options through FLEXU
- Contribute to a project in the Sorenson Impact Center
- Consider taking a community-engaged learning course
Finishing Up
- Present research at a local, national, or global conference
- Prepare to develop your capstone project into a business venture or research project
Careers
Getting Started
- Meet with a career coach and explore resources & workshops offered at the Career & Professional Development Center
- Develop a resume & sample cover letter
- Attend Career Fest
Making Progress
- Update your resume and cover letter regularly to reflect your experiences and skills
- Seek out an internship and/or undergraduate research opportunity
- Check out internships & jobs posted to COE's Jobs Board
- Attend Pathways or the STEM Career Fair in the fall
- Job shadow or conduct informational interviews with alumni & professionals in your field of interest
Finishing Up
- Meet with a career coach to create a job search plan, do a mock interview, & polish your resume
- Participate in career fairs & expos
- Apply for jobs or graduate programs
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Computer science is field that focuses on solving problems using computation. As almost every major industry and academic endeavor becomes increasingly dependent on computers and their programs, computer scientists are needed to write software, create applications for phones and websites, engineer human-computer interfaces, and ultimately use technology to make life easier. In the Computer Science major at the U, you take core coursework in topics like object-oriented programming, discrete mathematics, software practice, discrete structures, computer organization, algorithms, and computer systems. In addition to our Entertainment Arts & Engineering (EAE) emphasis, you can tailor your studies to specialize in one or more areas of computer science with courses and certificates in software development, web/mobile development, computer systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, theory, information, visual computing, computer organization, embedded systems, and CAD for digital systems. In your final year, you work with a group to complete a senior capstone. The School of Computing’s nationally-ranked program offers a rigorous blend of theory and practice as well as opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research with faculty and gain experience through internships. With a Computer Science degree, you acquire the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in a variety of technical areas as well as graduate programs in computer science, engineering, information systems, and other sciences.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a knowledge of general computer science principles and the ability to develop and work with abstractions.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of classical algorithms and data structures, analyze the efficiency of algorithms and implement efficient algorithms to solve computational problems.
- Show proficiency as a software engineer by demonstrating programming skills, the ability to learn new languages and tools and effectively work with a large code base.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between application software, systems software, and hardware.
- Apply computer science knowledge to solve problems that are specified by, or of interest to, an end-user, company, institution, or social group.
- Demonstrate general engineering and communication skills by working in a team setting using clear technical communication, and by applying current ethical standards as related to computer science.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.