Computer scienceis thescientificand practical approach tocomputationand its applications. It is the systematic study of the feasibility, structure, expression, and mechanization of the methodicalprocedures that underlie the acquisition, representation, processing, storage, communication of, and access toinformation, whether such information is encoded asbitsin acomputer memoryor transcribed ingenesandproteinstructures in a biologicalcell.Acomputer scientistspecializes in the theory of computation and the design of computational systems. Computer science is a discipline that spans theory and practice. It requires thinking both in abstract terms and in concrete terms. The practical side of computing can be seen everywhere. Nowadays, practically everyone is a computer user, and many people are even computer programmers. Getting computers to do what you want them to do requires intensive hands-on experience. But computer science can be seen on a higher level, as a science of problem solving. Computer scientists must be adept at modeling and analyzing problems. They must also be able to design solutions and verify that they are correct. Problem solving requires precision, creativity, and careful reasoning. Finally, computer science has a wide range of specialties. These include computer architecture, software systems, graphics, artificial intelligence, computational science, and software engineering. Drawing from a common core of computer science knowledge, each specialty area focuses on particular challenges. Computer science is a discipline that involves the understanding and design of computers and computational processes. In its most general form it is concerned with the understanding of information transfer and transformation. Particular interest is placed on making processes efficient and endowing them with some form of intelligence. The discipline ranges from theoretical studies of algorithms to practical problems of implementation in terms of computational hardware and software.
Graduates from the Computer Science Undergraduate Program are employed in a variety of positions and have many career paths available to them. In addition to opportunities in "traditional" computing science positions, graduates work in the petroleum, chemical, business, medical, auto, publishing, telecommunications, and consulting industries. Job responsibilities are as diverse as the industries are varied. Computer Science functions often include areas such as software engineering, hardware design, systems analysis and design, network and communications engineering, database design and development, graphics and image processing and technical consulting and marketing.
Common positions recent Computer Science graduates have accepted:
Computer Programmer: For this type of position, the ability to implement algorithms in a programming language is a basic skill. As a programmer a person's primary task is to "write code". Often, tasks involve maintenance and modification of existing programs as well as the development and implementation of new ones. Programmers are often part of a team that works with the end user to analyze, design, and implement a solution for a specialized problem. This type of position is often listed by one of the following job titles: programmer analyst, programmer trainee, or associate programmer.
Systems Analyst: The responsibilities assigned to the Systems Analyst involve areas of analysis and algorithm development as well as coding. The individual will gather information that will assist in specifying the requirements for the desired system and will analyze existing systems and develop a plan for building an enhanced or entirely new system. Almost all areas of computing involve some level of systems analysis. Occasionally, systems analyst positions are titled programmer/analyst or requirements analyst.
Software Engineer: A software engineer uses formal methodologies to help ensure that programs are reliable, maintainable and do what they are supposed to do. The responsibilities involve activities from the beginning to end of a product's "life cycle", from the planning and designing stages through documentation and validation of the final product. Many systems analyst positions are actively involved in software engineering. Software development is another common title for this area.
Consultant: Consultants design and implement software similar to the above categories. Working with a consulting firm, you are likely to become specialized in a particular area and deal with a variety of clients who need your knowledge and skill to assist with a particular problem. The day to day life of the consultant is much the same as that of a systems analyst. However, consulting offers a chance for diversity that comes with a series of project opportunities with a variety of clients.
Skills required
It is the job of the entire Computer Science degree program to teach its students to think critically. Every Computer Science course requires students to clarify their thoughts sufficiently so that those thoughts can be expressed in a form that a computer can carry them out. The various courses in the program focus on different areas of critical thinking, but each has as its primary objective to teach students to think critically in that area.
Programming a computer to perform complex operations is probably more demanding of critical thinking skills than almost any other activity.
First, before one can write a computer program to do something, one must understand what the program is supposed to accomplish. Since the intended objectives of a software system are described in English (at best), significant critical thinking skills are required simply to understand what is to be done. Often the objectives of a software system are not described in any language. Software developers are required to interview the intended users of the system to try to determine what really is needed. This is often an extraordinarily difficult job, which requires quite sophisticated critical thinking skills.
Second, students must determine, in precise detail, how the objectives determined by the previous step may be accomplished.
Finally, students must express the required steps as a computer program. A computer program is a text in an unforgiving language, a programming language. Programming languages are interpreted more formally and literally than virtually any other language in existence. Syntax and semantics are rigidly defined. Everything must be correct for the program to operate properly.
Accomplishing these steps successfully requires well honed and sophisticated critical thinking skills, skills that students are forced to develop through their studies in Computer Science. Besides the general discipline of critical thinking students develop in their course of their studies, students are also required to learn the formal elements of logic.
Students learn Boolean Algebra (truth tables) and the propositional calculus when writing programs containing conditional (if-then-else) and looping (while-do)control structures, as all computer programs do.
Students learn SQL, which is derived from relational algebra and relational calculus, variants of the predicate calculus, in our required database class. Students also learn to manipulate (predicate calculus) quantifiers in CS 386, our required theoretical Computer Science class, in which they prove properties of automata and formal languages
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
During 2008, there were nearly 28,900 computer scientists employed throughout the United States. These specialists were found in every industry, but nearly one fourth of computer scientists worked in computer systems development and related fields. They also worked for companies specializing in education, organizational development, and software publishing.
Job Outlook
Job growth is projected to be better than average, so there should be plenty of job opportunities for people entering this profession.
Employment change: Job growth for computer scientists is projected to increase by 24 percent through 2018, which is a faster rate than projected average growth in other industries. Increased demand for new technology will be part of the impetus behind job growth. Another factor behind job growth will be increased demand for software publishing technology and computer networks. These two fields are among the quickest growing fields in America.
Computer scientists hypothesize the theories that serve as the basis for new technologies. The need for more efficient software, computer processors, and network technology will drive job growth in these fields. Likewise, increased demand for improved information security will spur job creation.
Job prospects: Computer scientists more than likely will have numerous job opportunities to choose from. Those with doctorate degrees in engineering and computer science will be highly sought after by companies seeking skilled specialists. Moreover, there should be plenty of opportunities for computer science specialists as people already in the industry retire or make career transitions.
Earnings
During 2008, median annual incomes for information and computer science professionals exceeded $90,000. Those in the 50th percentile made anywhere from $75,340-124,370 a year. Specialists in the bottom 10th percentile made under $57,480 a year, while those in the upper 10th percentile made over $151,250 a year. During 2008, computer and information specialists working in computer network development and similar fields earned median yearly incomes near $100,000.
Recruiting Companies
Wipro
HCL Info system
Tata Consultancy Service
Infosys
IBM
Microsoft
Dell
Accenture
Google
Face book
Oracle
CTS
Cisco
Mc Graw Hills
InfoTech etc
How do I get there?
Option 1:
Entry is possible without a third level qualification which means jobs are open to graduates from all disciplines, but relevant qualifications are becoming increasingly more in demand by employers. In addition, most employers ask for some previous experience within the computer and IT industry.
Other relevant degree subjects
Computer Architecture
Software System
Graphics
Artificial Intelligence
Computational science
Software Engineering
Postgraduate study
ME in Computer Science
Specific entry requirements
Previous relevant work experience is often a requirement.
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