COMPUTER SCIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Big Data. Big opportunity.
Computers and networks are behind nearly everything we do: at home, at work, in school, or on the road — and technology is advancing and evolving faster than ever before. This growth has created incredible demand for computer science professionals — and for positions that didn’t exist a decade ago.
With emerging fields like data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, it’s certainly an exciting time to pursue a career in computer science. The possibilities have never been broader for logical problem solvers.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts computer-related occupations to be among the fastest-growing in the country. According to code.org, 67% of all new STEM jobs through 2028 will be in computing. IT and computer science jobs, such as data scientist and software engineer, consistently rank at the top on “best job” lists, for both availability and pay.
A degree in computer science prepares you to work in an array of areas, including software development, web development, database management, data analytics, information security, robotics and gaming.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
Advancing technology, Advancing your career.
100% of recent graduating computer science students were employed or pursuing an advanced degree after graduation. (2020-21 research survey)
Why study Computer Science at UW-Whitewater?
If you were to visit our classrooms or walk our halls, you’d find our students are curious and industrious, and our faculty are energetic and helpful.
Here are just a few reasons why the Computer Science department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater might be a fit for you:
- Personalize your pathway by adding a minor that fits your career goals, or dive deep into the field with our comprehensive emphasis.
- Learn from active researchers in cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity.
- Attend our annual internship and undergraduate research Fair, where you can find new opportunities or share what you’ve learned and discovered with your peers.
- Find career and professional development opportunities, such as mock interviews and guest speakers, with industry professionals.
What our Computer Science students do
Participate in undergraduate research
Gain hands-on experience in interactive lab classes
Get involved with career-related clubs and activities
Hands-on learning experiences
Developing technical and problem-solving skills is critical for career preparation, and you’ll have plenty of chances for real-world learning as a computer science major at UW-Whitewater.
Undergraduate research
Computer science majors participate in the Undergraduate Research Program and Research Apprenticeship Program. Also, the interdisciplinary nature of technology means our students and faculty members often collaborate with majors and departments, including math, biology, business and communications.
Internships
While the bachelor’s degree in computer science doesn’t require an internship, gaining real-world experience in a professional environment could be valuable to your future computer science careers. Our students have found internships at software, telecommunication, financial, insurance, medical, marketing, retail and other types of companies in the region, and even from afar.
For example, a UW-Whitewater student was selected for a competitive summer research internship with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
How to train a robot
Sadiq Wanyaka, a computer science major, has an internship at Tormach in Monona, Wisconsin, where he is exploring robotic programming. It’s a transformative experience, transitioning him from a software-focused background to a realm where robotics and software intersect, paving the way for exciting future endeavors.
Service learning
Whether as part of a class or senior project, you can use your skills to make a difference. For example, software engineering and data science classes often involve working with a local nonprofit client.
Campus and community involvement
You’ll find many ways to get involved on campus and in the local community.
Clubs and organizations
UW-Whitewater has scores of student clubs on campus. A few that might stand out to computer science majors include:
- Association of Computing Machinery
- Whiteboard Club
- Game and Media Entertainment Developers (GAMED)
- Student Math Association
- ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)
Thinking in Code Learning Community
First-year students at UWW have the chance to join a learning community, where they share a residence hall and classes with like-minded students. Thinking in Code is the designated learning community for computer science majors.
Science outreach
Students can participate in UWW’s Science Outreach programming, such as Game Development Camp or Tech Savvy.
What our graduates do
Software engineers and developers
Application developers and analysts
Database administrators
Careers in Computer Science
Our graduates start their computer science careers in a variety of positions in industries and companies of all kinds. Employers often report UW-Whitewater computer science majors as team players who are hard-working, humble and happy, with good technical skills.
Here’s a sampling of companies:
- Amazon
- Diesel Forward Inc.
- Northwestern Mutual
- TDS
- Quad/Graphics
- QuadMed LLC
- American Family Insurance
- Acuity Insurance
- JDA Software
- Epic
- U.S. Cellular
- Google (Madison office)
- IBM (Madison and Norway offices)
Job titles include:
- Senior software engineer/software engineer/associate software engineer
- Application developer/front-end application developer, back-end application developer/ full-stack application developer
- Software developer
- Computer science teacher
- Application analyst
- Cryptography specialist
- Computer support specialist
- Cyber-security analyst
- Game designer
- Database administrator
Hired Before Graduation
Julie Wisniewski from Wind Lake, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in computer science and was hired as a technology department program employee with Milwaukee Tool in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Hired Before Graduation
Shawn Pieper from Villa Park, Illinois, earned an M.S. in computer science and was hired as a software engineer with Optimal Blue in Mequon, Wisconsin.
"Dr. Hien Nguyen was my advisor for my capstone project and helped me succeed in her research group and beyond, which helped me obtain the summer internships which landed me my upcoming job."
Hired Before Graduation
Samuel Ewert from Brookfield, Wisconsin, earned an M.S. in computer science and was hired as a full-stack development manager working virtually with Joy Research.
"Dr. Hien Nguyen has advised me throughout my entire college career and referred me for multiple job opportunities."
Hired Before Graduation
Bryce Rothschadl, from Watertown, Wisconsin, earned a B.S. in computer science and was accepted to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Hired Before Graduation
Collin Janaes, from Libertyville, Illinois, earned a B.S. in computer science and was hired as an IT operations specialist with Trelleborg in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Graduate and professional school
Ready to level up? UW-Whitewater offers a high-quality and affordable master’s degree in computer science (you can learn in-person or earn the degree fully online).
Other places where Warhawk students have pursued graduate degrees and doctorates include:
- Dartmouth College Thayer School of Engineering (Ph.D. in computer science)
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Marquette University
- University of California-Berkeley
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas (Ph.D. in data science)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Our faculty
The UW-Whitewater computer science faculty works together as a team to promote a student-centered approach to teaching.
We have diverse expertise and research interests, many of which reflect the most in-demand computer science skills today, from AI to data science. Areas of speciality include:
- Artificial intelligence (computer vision, machine learning, user modeling, decision modeling)
- Cybersecurity (data privacy, internet of things security and privacy, AI for attacks and defenses )
- Data science (block chain, data science in medicine, deep data)
- Software engineering (software verification)
- Computational biology (bioinformatics, genome evolution)
- Theory of computer science (mathematical programming and optimization, algebra and combinatorics, operation research, data structure)
- Web development
Our faculty members are also heavily engaged in undergraduate research.
Want to learn more about earning a degree in Computer Science?
262-472-1666 | cs@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater offers the following undergraduate Computer Science degrees and programs:
- Bachelor of Arts — Computer Science | 4-year plan
- Bachelor of Science — Computer Science | 4-year plan
- Bachelor of Arts — Computer Science, Applied Computing emphasis*
- Bachelor of Science — Computer Science, Applied Computing emphasis*
- Bachelor of Science — Computer Science, Comprehensive emphasis | 4-year plan
* Requires an associate degree from an institution that has an articulation agreement with UW-Whitewater
Minors:
In addition to UW-Whitewater’s general education requirements, as a computer science major, you’ll take a variety of core and elective classes that will vary based on your chosen emphasis. Here’s an example of classes most computer science majors will take:
- Introduction to Java
- Introduction to C++
- Data Structures
- Assembly Programming
- Database Management Systems
- Theory of Algorithms
- Software Engineering
Students interested in the comprehensive emphasis will take an ethics course and complete two lab science courses.
Students earning the general degree are required to choose a minor.
To apply, you’ll complete the UW-Whitewater standard application for admission and indicate your interest in earning a degree in Computer Science.
