Imagine completing a day of errands without a cell phone, laptop, GPS, or debit card. If you’re like most people, you have no idea how to imagine life without computers or the internet. But these programs, hardware, and platforms don’t
invent themselves. It takes all kinds of professionals, including computer scientists.
If you’d consider yourself to be a logical thinker, a problem solver, and a tech-savvy individual, a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science degree could be a natural fit. Keep reading to find out what you can expect from this versatile undergraduate program.
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science: Degree Overview
The goal of a computer science program is to prepare students with the intellectual and professional competencies needed to analyze, design, and develop computer software and hardware. Students should also understand important contemporary issues in programming,
operating systems, computer networks, and software engineering.
The Bellarmine curriculum is unique because students earn both their BA in Computer Science, but also a minor in Mathematics which is an important ancillary discipline to computer science," says Dr. Robert Kelley, chair of the Computer Science Department.
At Bellarmine, we teach our students to become “developers” rather than “users” of computer technology. Some of the most important computer science skills students develop are:
The ability to develop computer programs to solve problems
Proficiency with operating systems and computer networks
Competence in the design and development of software engineering tools
Understanding of contemporary issues in translators
BA in Computer Science: Curriculum outline
Computer science graduates are not only well-versed in the field of study, but also possess highly valuable communication and critical-thinking skills that will enable them to go far in their careers. Our long-standing tradition of providing students
with an educational foundation in the liberal arts that prepares them for the workforce or further study.
"Our graduates enter the workforce in a variety of industries including insurance, logistics, food service, manufacturing, power generation, healthcare, and government."
"Our graduates enter the workforce in a variety of industries including insurance, logistics, food service, manufacturing, power generation, healthcare, and government. Consequently, the broad foundation our degree provides a foundation
that includes critical thinking, writing, and analysis skills that are useful regardless of industry," says Kelley.
Curriculum includes core classes and electives, including:
- Programming Fundamentals
- Logic Design
- Operating Systems
- Compiler Construction
- Algorithms
- Data Communication and Networking
- Software Design and Development
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning in the Cloud
Bellarmine students have the opportunity to complete an internship locally or nationally. While it’s not required for graduation, this is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience and build your professional network.
Computer science graduates are in high demand – more internships are available every year than the department can fill.
Bellarmine CS interns have worked at every major company in Louisville, including:
Local hospitals
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Brown & Williamson
Capital Holding
General Electric
IBM
LG&E
New Horizon
UPS
Yum! Brands
Bellarmine CS students must also complete a capstone project in order to graduate. The capstone project is an opportunity for each student to work on a development project of their own. These projects range from building web-based
applications to 3D visualization tools and everything in between including machine learning, building a compiler, and algorithm design. When complete, students have a large project on which they have spent at least one semester working
that they can show potential employers.
Computer science jobs to consider
Computer science graduates are in demand and the trend is only continuing upward. Because computer technology is integral to the global economy, there are jobs in nearly every industry imaginable: fashion, healthcare, agriculture,
technology, finance, education, etc.
We used real-time job analysis software to examine job postings in Kentucky from the past year. This data revealed there were 7,243 open positions seeking professionals with a computer science bachelor’s degree.*
Curious about what computer science careers are out there? Here’s a taste of the job titles from our analysis:
Software engineer
Data analyst
Software developer
Systems administrator
Data engineer
Business analyst
Java developer
Bellarmine computer science students are typically able to find jobs quickly after graduation and, on average, have a starting salary higher than graduates of many other programs. In most cases, our graduates opt for immediate
employment, but some have pursued graduate studies in computer science or electrical engineering at schools such as Purdue, Notre Dame, and University of Louisville.
Students graduating from with a BA in Computer Science from Bellarmine find meaningful employment. In the last few years, our graduates have gone to work for the Federal Government, Texas Roadhouse, Whayne Supply, UPS, YUM Brands,
Thorntons, and many other others. In short, Bellarmine graduates get hired!
Join the growing computer science field
Bellarmine’s Computer Science Department offers small class sizes and high faculty interaction that ensures students won’t get lost in the crowd. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an active alumni network, you’ll
have support during and after your studies. Take the first step toward your future computer science career today!
*Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 7,243 computer science job postings in Kentucky, Dec. 01, 2020 – Nov. 30, 2021).