Computer scientists are in high demand in mobile, big data, electronics, automotive and digital companies worldwide. In fact, most modern companies depend on computer scientists to keep their companies safe from cybercrime and to solve database infrastructure issues.
Program Overview
Become a leader in digital discovery and analysis.
At Western Colorado University, the Computer Science program focuses on software development, information security and data science. You’ll have the opportunity to learn fundamental concepts, languages, tools and techniques in the new, state-of-the-art Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering at the heart of Western’s campus. This experience will prepare you with the skills and expertise you’ll need to thrive in a career in software development, systems engineering or information technology. Each track within the Computer Science program is built on a core of programming in current languages such as Python, C++ and Java, while focusing on skills such as database management, GUI design, web development and software engineering.
To put your knowledge to practice, you’ll execute difficult projects in software development, learn state-of-the-art security methods and become proficient with leading industry hardware and software systems. You can get hands-on experience in competitive internships with Fortune 500 companies and work on original research projects developing facial recognition software, machine learning and more.
An in-demand career path
The growing demand for high-tech professionals is driven by a broad and expanding need for computer specializations in software engineering, artificial intelligence, big data applications and the “internet of things.”
Courses
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS 150 | Computers in Society | 3 | View |
| CS 170 | Information Security and Hacking | 3 | View |
| CS 190 | Computer Science I | 3 | View |
| CS 191 | Computer Science II | 3 | View |
| CS 195 | Database Management Systems | 3 | View |
| CS 220 | Data Analytics | 3 | View |
| CS 235 | Computers Networks | 3 | View |
| CS 250 | Web Applications Development I | 3 | View |
| CS 280 | Data Structures | 3 | View |
| CS 303 | Machine Learning | 3 | View |
| CS 310 | Programming Projects with X | 3 | View |
| CS 317 | Genome Analysis (with laboratory) | 3 | View |
| CS 320 | Programming Languages | 3 | View |
| CS 330 | Operating Systems and Architecture | 3 | View |
| CS 340 | Computer Graphics | 3 | View |
| CS 350 | Web Applications Development II | 3 | View |
| CS 360 | System Security | 3 | View |
| CS 365 | Big Data Analytics | 3 | View |
| CS 370 | Systems Programming in C | 3 | View |
| CS 380 | The Internet of Things | 3 | View |
| CS 390 | Software Entrepreneurship | 3 | View |
| CS 410 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 | View |
| CS 412 | Software Engineering | 3 | View |
| CS 415 | Software Engineering II | 3 | View |
| CS 435 | Mobile Development | 3 | View |
| CS 440 | Distributed Computing for Machine Learning and Data Analysis | 3 | View |
| CS 450 | Ethical Hacking and Malware | 3 | View |
| CS 460 | Network Security | 3 | View |
| CS 470 | Algorithms | 3 | View |
| CS 480 | Computer Science Application Project | 3 | View |
| CS 495 | Senior Project | 3 | View |
| CS 499 | Internship or Field Experience in Computer Science | 1-12 | View |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 | View |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus (GT-MA1) | 4 | View |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 | View |
| MATH 200 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 | View |
| MATH 213 | Probability and Statistics | 3 | View |
| MATH 260 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 | View |
Spotlight
Lindsey Possehl
Alumni
"A 2015 graduate, Lindsey Possehl double majored in Mathematics and Computer Science, which led to her current role as a data scientist for Ruffalo Noel Levitz."
Kate Robinson
Alumni
“A liberal arts degree is so valuable....but really the most important thing Western did for me was give me an environment where I was able to succeed.”
Kendric Evans
Alumni
"At Western, you really have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty, which helped me gain a very real depth and breadth of knowledge in my field."
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- Students majoring in Computer Information Science
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at Western, 3 of which can be applied toward their majors
- Must have minimum 3.0 GPA
- Plan on enrolling in at least nine credits
Description
This scholarship is provided by Stephen Watson.
Amount: $500
Selected by: Math and Computer Science Scholarship Committee
Application:
Contact the Mathematics & Computer Science Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2015 | Hurst Hall 128
Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 15 for 2021. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Board, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming freshman or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found here (click). Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Description
The Western Presidential Honors Scholarships, established by the Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Foundation shall be an elite class of scholarships awarded to Western’s highest achieving and most deserving students, celebrating the ideals of academic excellence and service to the campus and community. Recipients of the Scholarships will be members of the Western Colorado University Honors Program.
There are eight Presidential Honors Scholarships of $2500 each. Each year two new Presidential Honors Scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Independent Projects: Students have worked on projects such as facial recognition software, a gesture-controlled quadcopter, machine learning, Android apps, an online guided tour, commercial websites, and self-guiding vehicles.
- Information Technology Services: Many computer science students work for the Western IT Department, keeping student and university computers and networks running smoothly.
- Internships: Students have gotten internships with Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Raytheon, Dell, Northrop Grumman and other companies large and small. Computer science internships pay well and very often lead directly to a permanent job.
Understanding the “internet of things”
Computer Science plays an increasingly critical role as technology becomes integral to everyone and everything. As a Computer Scientist, you can be an architect of the foundation upon which we build our future.
News & Research
Department Information
Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
Department Chair
Robert A. Cohen, Ph.D.Professor of Mathematics, Chair of the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Office Support Coordinator
Lainy SorensenOffice Support Coordinator
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231