Computer Science and Information Systems
Information for Prospective Students
Computer Science is a very broad field that offers a wide array of opportunities for
rewarding and well paid careers. Winthrop offers its computing majors many gratifying
opportunities to engage with their field of study in ways that deepen students' knowledge
and abilities.
Fields of Study in Computer Science
- Just as physicians usually specialize in a particular area of medicine, computer scientists
also usually have a specific area of expertise. Career specializations include:
- Applications programming
- Business analysis
- Database engineering
- Interface design and testing
- Network engineering and security
- Scientific computation
- Web application design
- and many, many more!
Recent graduates from Winthrop's B.S. in Computer Science degree program have careers
in each of these areas.
Job Outlook
The job outlook continues to be very strong for computing careers in the Carolinas
and the Southeastern US. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Tomorrow's
Jobs.
"Employment in computer systems design and related services will grow by 38.3 percent
and add nearly one-fourth of all new jobs in professional, scientific, and technical
services. Employment growth will be driven by the increasing reliance of businesses
on information technology and the continuing importance of maintaining system and
network security. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services also will
grow at a staggering 78 percent and account for another third of growth in this supersector.
Demand for these services will be spurred by the increased use of new technology and
computer software and the growing complexity of business."
For the last several years, over 90% of Winthrop Computer Science graduates who are
not pursuing graduate degrees have obtained well paying full-time employment in their
chosen field within one month of graduation. Some graduates go to work for large corporations
such as Blue Cross Blue Shield in Columbia, SC, and Bank of America in Charlotte,
NC. Other graduates elect to take positions with small companies, regional software
development companies, or government agencies. Starting salaries for our graduates
are typically about $48,000.
Why Winthrop?
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ABET Accreditation - Winthrop's Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science has been accredited by
ABET since 1990. ABET is the premier accrediting body for engineering and computing
programs. Winthrop's CS degree is one of 13 CS programs in South Carolina and North
Carolina that is accredited by ABET.
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Experienced Professors - Nearly all computing courses are taught by full-time faculty members. Our faculty
has years of industry and academic experience. No CS courses are taught by grad students.
Even your required freshmen lectures and labs are taught by full-time faculty members.
All full-time faculty members have PhD degrees.
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Jobs - Our graduates are highly recruited by area businesses.
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Opportunities Outside the Classroom - Opportunities to excel are abundant! Students are strongly encouraged to participate
in internships. Many Computer Science majors spend the summer of their junior year
working as Undergraduate Researchers funded by the National Science Foundation at
regional research labs. Students may also work individually with a faculty member
on projects that relate to the student's career goals.
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Preparation for Grad School - Winthrop's Computer Science degree prepares students for further education in graduate
school, as well as full-time employment. While most of our graduates take full-time
employment positions upon graduation, some elect to go to graduate school. In the
last two years, Winthrop Computer Science students have been accepted to PhD programs
at University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and UNC-Charlotte.
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Small Classes - Typical class sizes of junior and senior CS courses are 10 to 20 students. Professors
know their students well and professors are very available to students outside of
class times.
More Information
For more information about Winthrop's computing programs, contact the computer science
department chair, Dr. Stephen Dannelly, at dannellys@winthrop.edu.
Information about Winthrop's undergraduate computing programs and curriculum information.