What Does a Computer Science Degree Entail?

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science at Texas A&M University-Commerce can qualify you for a range of dynamic careers. Would you like to be a software or games developer? How about a database administrator or cyber-security consultant? Earning a computer science degree in Texas imparts skills that are in high demand across a wide breadth of industries from hospitals and government agencies to banks and multinational corporations. Heres what youll need to master in order to successfully earn your degree.

Math Skills

Computer programming rests on a mathematical foundation. Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations are just the beginning of what you must know. In order to become a crack programmer, youll also have to understand:

Set theory: Programming languages have their roots in mathematical logic, and set theory is essential to any understanding of mathematical logic.

Statistics and probability theory: Data science is impossible to grasp without a firm grasp of probability and statistics.

Graph theory: Graph theory gives computer scientists a way to organize, label and process various abstractions.

Abstract algebra: Abstract algebra, which is also known as algebraic topology, is employed in tasks that require high-dimensional data analysis.

Number theory: Number theory is one of the cornerstones of modern cryptography, which provides security for computer networks.

Convex optimizations: Convex optimization programming is used frequently in machine learning models.

Computer Programming Languages

Computer programming languages are keywords and sequential rules that allow programmers to instruct computers to perform specific tasks. Many different computer programming languages exist, and each one uses a different syntax and a different set of definitional keywords. Among the ones most often taught in computer science curricula are:

Java: Java is the programming language that is used most often in the development of enterprise-level, web-based applications for both computers and handheld devices. One of its advantages is that you can use Java to program applets that end users can then use when theyre not plugged into the internet. Programs that are written in Java include Minecraft, Open Office and Adobes Creative Suite.

Python: Python is widely used to create the frameworks that support graphic user interfaces both on the web and within computers. Sites such as Google, Instagram and YouTube are built with Python, and this language is also utilized in practically all science-related computation.

C Language: C is a workhorse, structure-based language thats used to develop embedded software and other low-level applications. Engineers at Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and Cisco do much of their programming in C language.

C++: C++ is a C language hybrid. Its used by many of the same software engineers and companies that use C language, but it can be compressed into tighter code that requires less cache space.