Why study computer science at BGSU in Ohio?
- Invaluable co-op experience. Computer science majors complete co-ops with top employers, including Fortune 100 companies. You’ll receive academic credit, valuable practical experience and good pay while growing personally and professionally.
- A legacy of leadership. BGSU has always been a standout in the field of computer science. It was the first in Ohio to offer an undergraduate computer science major in 1969. It’s also still the only one to have received a Program Excellence Award from the Ohio Board of Regents.
- ABET-accredited. The BGSU B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- First-rate faculty. All computer science major classes are taught by highly-qualified professors with diverse industry experience.
- Quality classroom experiences. Faculty foster a collaborative, student-centered and interactive learning environment. Class sizes are kept small by design.
- Explore BGSU computer science clubs.
- Join the ACM Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, the world’s largest computing society, for interactive coding events, industry conferences and social gatherings.
- Bowling Green Women in Computing (BGWIC or BGSU ACM-W Student Chapter) offers professional development, community engagement and social connections.
- The Linux Club welcomes students passionate about open-source software.
- Capture the Flag (CTF) Club offers exciting cybersecurity challenges and competitions.
- BGSU graduate option. We offer a Master of Science in computer science to equip you with in-depth knowledge and advanced skills to advance in today’s evolving tech landscape.
Computer science occupations as a group are projected to grow about three times as fast as the average over the next decade.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Career - what can you do with a computer science degree?
Demand for graduates with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in computer science is growing and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Half of computer and IT careers are projected to expand by double digits over the next decade.
Computer science majors will be well-compensated to tackle some of the most fascinating and complex challenges in history.
Few fields offer this rare combination of personal fulfillment, high salary, intellectual challenge and societal impact. There’s promise in virtually every aspect of every industry.
Unparalleled opportunities for growth, creativity and innovation. Every day brings constant mental exercises to keep you engaged and energized about your work.
Flexibility – whether you work for a fast-paced startup, government agency or corporate tech giant. Many jobs allow remote work.
The satisfaction of knowing your work matters. Impact lives in ways you never dreamed of – from designing software to help doctors diagnose diseases faster, creating apps to make learning tools more accessible for rural residents or developing algorithms that help businesses run more efficiently or ensure secure online voting systems.
Career paths
- Cybersecurity/Digital forensics
- Information technology specialist
- Data scientist
- UX/UI designer
- System programmer
- Database administrator
- Software developer
- Network analyst
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The median annual wage for workers in computer and information technology is more than double the median annual wage for all occupations.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in computer science at BGSU offers a robust set of core computer science courses designed to provide a broad base of computing concepts and programming and problem-solving skills.
Learn in state-of-the-art computer labs and work on live programming projects that offer experience on a variety of computing platforms.
You can choose to specialize in cybersecurity or computational data science.
An array of useful electives includes:
- Machine learning
- Web application and development
- Windows application development
- Computer/software security
- Usability
- User experience
- Rapid prototyping
Other more advanced electives may include artificial intelligence methods, computer and mobile forensics and database management systems.
Computer science majors complete one department-approved co-op experience for academic credit. The BGSU Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections and Career EXPO Week help you connect with top internship opportunities and employers – including Fortune 100 companies.
A minor is required for both the B.S. and B.A. in computer science. Many choose minors in fields such as mathematics, business, data science, engineering or technology. We waive the minor requirement for students who pursue a specialization within the program.
Sample courses
- Computer Networks
- Computer Programming
- Data Structures & Algorithm
- Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
- Operating Systems
- Software/Computer Security
- Software Engineering
- Web/Windows Application Development
- Capstone Project
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Computer science: Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts
The B.S. in computer science provides a rigorous education in computing with a strong emphasis on technical and mathematical foundations. This ABET-accredited degree track is ideal if you’re seeking in-depth knowledge in areas such as programming, software engineering, data structures and algorithms.
With intensive coursework in computer science and mathematics, the B.S. prepares you for specialized roles in fields like software development, artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity.
The B.A. in computer science offers a more flexible, interdisciplinary approach. This route is ideal if you’re interested in pursuing dual majors or combining computer science with studies in other fields. The B.A. covers core computer science skills but also allows you to explore additional coursework across a variety of disciplines. This makes it a great choice for careers that benefit from broader perspectives.
The computer science program is part of the Department of Computer Science in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 04/28/2025 09:06AM