Become a leader in one of the most exciting and fastest-growing fields.
Major Roadmap
Explore your options — classes, internships, research and study abroad. Find what interests you, discover what you love, and create a major experience that jumpstarts your future using the following documents:
Computer Science BA Major Guide
The Computer Science major at St. Edward’s provides you with a strong foundation and technical knowledge. But it doesn’t stop there: You’ll apply what you learn in the classroom to projects and internships. You’ll be challenged to create solutions to multi-faceted problems using existing technologies and technological tinkering.
Our faculty members bring years of academic and industry experience and will guide you to creating and presenting professional-level work. You’ll graduate prepared to work across industries.
Earn Two Degrees in Five Years
Complete your BA in Computer Science and Master’s Degree with our pathways to receive two degrees in five years down below.
Explore the BA in Computer Science and Master's Degree (MSBA) pathway.
Explore the BA in Computer Science and Master's Degree (MSDGMA) pathway.
Explore the BA in Computer Science and Master's Degree (MBA) pathway.
Success Coaches and Academic Advisors guide students through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits. Learn More.
What Do Our Graduates Do?
Computer Science majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.
- Become software engineers for companies like CDK Global, Khoros, Dun & Bradstreet and Duo Security
- Worked as a product development specialist at Facebook
- Been site reliability engineers for JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Worked as software developers for companies like IBM and Dell
- Gone onto graduate school at top-ranked programs, such as UT–Austin, Baylor University, Rice University, Purdue University, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Tech University and Manchester University
What Can You Do with a Computer Science Major?
Sophie Gairo ’17 shares how she used her Computer Science degree to land a job at Silicon Valley–based cloud computing as a software engineer.
The Classroom and Beyond
As a Computer Science major, you’ll be part of a program known for strong job placement, especially within Austin’s vibrant tech scene. Get an edge by participating in research, internships and student organizations that build your skills.
Experiential Education
In Software Engineering, you’ll work on a large-scale team project — from specification and design, to implementation, to testing, evolution, maintenance and management. You’ll learn how to use industry-standard tools and communicate effectively with clients.
In Undergraduate Research and Development, you’ll research a computing problem; investigate a possible solution to the problem; and design, evolve, and articulate a solution.
Student Organizations
The Computer Science Club helps students build their skills through events like Capture the Flag, a cybersecurity-focused programming competition.
The St. Edward’s Maker Club attracts tinkerers and programmers who have worked on projects involving 3-D printing, soldering, programming LED strips, and creating art through programming.
Tracks and Degree Requirements
This helpful course map shows the sequence of prerequisites in the department.
1. Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
This degree track offers more options to take non-computer-science-related courses than the BS track, which is especially helpful for students who seek a double major or a broader technical degree prior to advanced study in graduate school. In this major you will…
- Study the algorithmic processes that create, describe and transform information
- Learn to develop software designed to solve problems in a variety of fields
- A strong background in mathematics and computer science is recommended
Major Requirements: The BA in Computer Science requires 58 hours of Computer Science major courses, including supporting courses in Mathematics.
General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.
View and download the full degree plan for our BA in Computer Science major (PDF).
2. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
This degree track provides a course of study based on computer science theory and its application in various aspects of business and industry. It includes support courses to prepare students for graduate study in computer science.
Major Requirements: The BS in Computer Science requires 72 hours of Computer Science major courses, including supporting courses in Mathematics.
General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.
View and download the full degree plan for our BS in Computer Science major (PDF).
3. Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Science
This degree track emphasizes application of computing knowledge to business practices and prepares you for careers working with the design, implementation and management of multi-user computer systems. In this major you will...
- Build a strong theoretical and practical foundation in computer science
- Take business coursework, in addition to computer science coursework
Major Requirements: The BA in Computer Information Science requires 63 hours of Computer Information Science major courses, including courses in subjects such as Business and Mathematics.
General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.
View and download the full degree plan for our BA in Computer Information Science major (PDF).
Research
You’ll have the opportunity to conduct independent research and present your work at meetings like Consortium for Computing Sciences, the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers national convention.
Outstanding students can participate in Research Experiences for Undergraduates, in which they join the lab of a professor at a major research university over a summer. These experiences help you decide if a career in research is right for you. A St. Edward’s Computer Science major recently secured an REU at Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Software Research, where she worked with some of the top minds in the world — including Mary Shaw, who created the field of software architecture and was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Barack Obama.
Internships
Computer Science students have built their professional skills in the following internships. Several were extended full-time job offers afterward.
- vSphere integrated containers internship at VMware
- Technology internship at AIG Insurance
- Digital technology leadership internship at GE
- System validation engineer internship at NXP Semiconductors
- Software engineer internship at Corva
- Software engineering internship at dealership management software company CDK Global
- Software development internship at Emerson Automation Solutions, which builds software for manufacturing and industrial plants
As a student in the Computer Science program you are afforded access to the funding programs, including paid internships, offered exclusively to STEM students at St. Edward’s University by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). For more information on these programs please visit the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4).
The St. Edward’s Office of Information Technology hires students to work as support technicians. In this job, you can help students, faculty and staff with computer troubleshooting; maintain the computer labs; and set up software on new computers for employees. In addition to covering “Help desk” issues, you can specialize in networking or enterprise software and earn credentials like Google Cloud certification.
Our Faculty
Our distinguished faculty members are scholar-practitioners dedicated to developing responsible and independent learners. Meet a few of our Computer Science professors ...
Dr. Baker's research interests include artificial intelligence, case-based reasoning, computer science education, and programming languages. She is currently researching computer science pedagogy involving project code testing and student learning.
– Laura Baker, PhD, Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Shebaro's research interests are focused on digital forensics and information security and privacy, including privacy preserving forensic investigations, cyber security, anonymity networks, and network security.
– Bilal Shebaro, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
At St. Edward’s, Dr. Kart leverages his professional experiences by teaching with industry-standard tools and software development methodologies. In 2009, he envisioned, created, and taught the course iPhone Apps: Imagine. Design. Build., making St. Edward’s one of the first schools in the country to have such an offering.
– Michael Kart, PhD, Professor and Chair of Computer Science
Computer Science Minor
Minoring in Computer Science can help you expand career opportunities in a technologically-driven field. Courses in the Computer Science program will help you broaden skill sets and further strengthen critical thinking skills. Students who are not Computer Science majors and are interested in developing programming skills and providing technical support for other fields that require computational needs should consider a minor in Computer Science.
Required Minor Courses:
- Computing Concepts I
- Computing Concepts II
- Intro to Algorithmic Problem Solving
- Component-Based Programming
- Discrete Mathematics
- Algorithms and Data Structures
- Programming Languages
- Database Theory and Applications
Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for next steps on declaring your major or minor.