Undergraduate Program
Program Objectives
The goal of the Computer Science program at Idaho State University is to provide students with a broad, yet rigorous Computer Science education, with emphasis in operating systems, computer organization and architecture, data structures and algorithms, software implementation, programming languages, computer security, networks, and project management.
Careers, Jobs, and Flexibility
The discipline of Computer Science has arisen as one of the highest-paying disciplines in the last decade; the average starting salary for a Computer Science graduate in the USA is roughly $63,000/year. The Computer Science Program at ISU can prepare you to succeed in a wide range of exciting computer-science-related careers including software engineering, databases, computer security, networks, system administration, etc.
While many computer science graduates focus on technical work, the computer science major can also be a fairly general purpose degree leading in a number of additional directions: By adding a minor or second major in Philosophy or Political Science, computer science majors can go on to Law School and specialize in patent law. Or by adding the minor in Business Administration, they may complete the MBA in a 5th year leading to many technical management possibilities. The MBA is also important for those students interested in graduate work in as part of the National Information Assurance Training and Education Center (NIATEC).
Computer Science Curriculum and Advising Handouts
Students wishing to become computer science majors should contact the computer science office to have an advisor assigned to them (Ms. Goldbeck goldpris@isu.edu). The computer science student advising handout provides details about ISU's computer science major and minor including the advising process. The computer science four year plan provides an example of what courses might be taken in which semesters. The computer science program-of-study form and computer science graduation form should prove useful in developing a plan of study and in completing the major. An alternate computer science four year plan shows how the CS major and Business Administration Minor can be obtained in 4 years allowing the MBA to be completed in about a 5th year.