What Can You Do With A Major In Computing?

 
There are many aspects in the field of computer and information sciences.  Some of these include computer programmer, computer operator, computer engineer, computer graphics specialist, computer service technician, and computer network manager.  The computer programmer writes, tests and maintains the programs that the computer must accomplish in order to function properly; a computer operator manages the computer's hardware, operating system and application software; a computer engineer researches, designs and develops new computer hardware systems and secondary equipment; a computer graphics specialist uses computer technologies to create and manipulate electronic imaging; a computer service technician installs, services and repairs mainframe computers; and a computer network manager is responsible for the planning, operation and management of a local area network or a wide area network.  Most professions in the field of computer and information sciences are in some type of office setting.

 

Tracks

Computer Science – The curriculum incorporates course work ranging across the computing sciences, including computing theory and algorithms, computer hardware logic and architecture, systems software including both compilers and operating systems, data structures and object-oriented design, data modeling and simulation modeling, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and networks.

Information Science - The Information Science program has computer course work requirements identical to those of the Information Systems program. In contrast to the Information Systems program, however, a student majoring in Information Science may select a minor other than Business Administration. Depending upon the minor program chosen, graduates are prepared to embark on careers in network applications, software development, systems analysis and design, or other more specialized computer-related careers.
Information Systems - The curriculum has an interdisciplinary flavor in that a core selection of Business Administration coursework is an integral part of the program. The computing course work students take for this program is reflective of current computing practices, whether legacy or state-of-art, as employed to implement solutions to business problems. This includes coursework in applications programming, data and file structures, object-oriented design, system design, database design, systems implementation, systems maintenance, networks, and computer communications. Graduates are prepared to embark on careers ranging from software development specialists to information systems managers.
Information Technology - This track combines professional requirements with general education requirements and electives to prepare all students for a career in the information technology field, for further study in information technology, for functioning in modern society, and for graduate work in Information Technology. Students completing this program will be specialists ready to face high expectations of organizations with respect to planning, implementation, configuration, and maintenance of a computing infrastructure.
 

 

Some Related Career Titles

(To research these titles and more go to: (Occupational Outlook Handbook) and see the related print resources in the Career Services Library).

  • Applications Programmer
  • Computer Consultant
  • Computer Engineer
  • Computer Graphics Designer
  • Console Operator
  • Data Control Administrator
  • Database Administrator
 
  • Mainframe Technician
  • Operations Research Analyst
  • Programmer
  • Robotics Programmer
  • Systems Administrator
  • Systems Analyst
  • Systems Engineer
 
 

 

Typical Employers/Work Settings 

 
  • Computer Industry
  • Educational Institutions
  • Financial Organizations
  • Government Agencies
  • Hardware Installation Agencies
  • Independent Consultant
  • Information Technology Industries
 
  • Large/Small Corporations
  • Law Firms
  • Medical Agencies
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Self Employment
  • Telecommunications Industry
  • Transportation/Logistics Industry
 
 

 

Beginning Salary Range

Entry Level with a Bachelor’s Degree: $52,000-  From the Spring 2008 NACE Salary Survey (National Association of Colleges and Employers)

For more information on salaries click here
 
 

 

Links To Professional Associations

Professional Associations are important to explore because many offer student memberships and can give you access to other professionals and their experiences, research, convention or workshop opportunities, professional development and most importantly job databases.
Association for Computing Machinery
Association of Information Technology Professionals
IEEE Computer Society
Network Professional Association  
 

 

Job Search Information

National Organizations or Databases
http://www.cisjobs.com/ 
http://www.dice.com/
http://www.itjobs.com/
http://www.justtechjobs.com/ 
http://www.tech-centric.net/ 

http://www.odinjobs.com- specializes in IT, tech, and programming

http://www.computercareerstips.com 

 
 

 

Graduate Schools

Local Programs - Master of Computer Science and other related programs
 University of North Florida
Florida A&M
Florida Atlantic University  
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of Miami
University of South Florida
Technology Education Site:  http://technology.schools.org 

http://www.computertechnician.net


 

Other resources for graduate program research

http://www.gradschools.com/
http://www.petersons.com/
http://www.princetonreview.com/  
 

 

Link To UNF Program

The  College of Computing, Engineering and Construction  at the University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in  Computer and Information Sciences.