Short description: 3-4 year bachelor's program studying theoretical or practical aspects of computing
The Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (abbreviated BCompSc or BCS or BS CS or B.Sc. CS) is a type of bachelor's degree awarded after collegiate study in computer science. In general, computer science degree programs emphasize the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computing.[1]
The same core curriculum may, depending on the school, result in other degrees, including:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (B.Tech)
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng or BE) in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Computer Science) - BSE (CS)
- Bachelor of Computer Security in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science (BSc or BS) in Computer Science (BSc CS or BSCS or BSc (Comp))
Some post-secondary institutions also offer an Honors Bachelor of Computer Science.
Professional qualifications after finishing the degree
The required skills and qualifications for working as a Computer or Software Engineer comprise a large number of theoretical aspects within the areas of Computer Science and Electronics. The following list shows a classification according to the professional profiles that are currently demanded:[4]
- Knowledge of, at least, one programming language (currently in use) or a specific technology in depth.
- Being able to read English, since most of the documents relating to the areas of work as a computer engineer are written in this language.
- Handling of version control systems. Although this is not mandatory, most companies employing computer engineers make use of version control systems.
- Knowledge related to Information Theory and Telecommunications, enabling optimised and legally-compliant designs and facilitating self-control and audits if required.
- Computability Theory to calculate the viability of the problem to be solved.
- Efficiency awareness for industrial mechanization of information (scalability, reliability, etc ...).
- Automata Theory and Algorithm Design Theory to design suitable automation solutions in information processing.
- Software Engineering understanding to evaluate the best techniques of design, development and maintenance of software, subject to calculations of quality constraints, time, cost, etc..
- Artificial Intelligence or Knowledge Engineering such as pattern recognition or neural networks to calculate and design knowledge production systems as an industrial competitive advantage in information management.
- Electronics to calculate and design communication and control interfaces between computers and various mechanical and electrical devices, such as data acquisition systems.
- Industrial and business organization understanding needed for planning, management and control of computer projects and, management of ICT departments.
- Hardware knowledge to analyze and design solutions in the field of microprocessor architecture.
Typical requirements
Because computer science is a wide field, courses required to earn a bachelor of computer science degree vary. A typical list of course requirements includes topics such as:[2]
Some schools may place more emphasis on mathematics and require additional courses such as:[3]
Beyond the basic set of computer science courses, students can typically choose additional courses from a variety of different fields, such as:[4]
Some schools allow students to specialize in a certain area of computer science.[5][6][7]
Related degrees
- Bachelor of Software Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Computing
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Computer Information Systems
- Bachelor in computer design
See also
References