Computer Science

The Computer Science department at BGSU was the first CS department in Ohio when it was established in 1969. For over 50 years, we have prepared many accomplished alumni to work in many capacities throughout the industry, and our program continues to grow. In recent years we saw a nearly 50 percent increase in student enrollment, and we’re working on developing new majors and specializations to attract even more quality students to fulfill market needs.

Our Computer Science Advisory Board consists of faculty, alumni and IT leaders that have a stake in the vitality of the department. Our department meets the national standards for excellence and our program is one of few to have received the Program Excellence Award from the Ohio Board of Regents. In addition, the B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

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What Can You Do With a Computer Science Major?

Computer scientists use technology to solve problems. Click to see how.

News and Stories

Students Mentor Young Women in Programming

BGSU computer science students are coaching the next generation through an innovative program designed to encourage females to study science. Made possible by a $10,000 Google IgniteCS grant plus an additional gift from the widow of a former faculty member, the new program—Code4Her—provides free computer science mentoring for girls in grades 5 through 8. Mentors are students in the BG Women in Computing (BGWIC) organization. Participants learn the basic principles of computer programming via Lego Mindstorms robots. The 32 participants came from 18 communities around Northwest Ohio.

Internships Lead to Employment at Adobe

Alumna Julia Grummel had a dual major in digital arts and computer science and a great familiarity with Adobe software products like PhotoShop and InDesign. When she heard about internship opportunities at Adobe as an undergraduate, she applied and landed what would become a three-summer internship at its headquarters in San Jose, California. A month after graduation, she was offered a full-time job there. “The BGSU computer science program was really valuable because the department is so closely tied to the industry,” she said. “There were so many valuable opportunities that it made the transition from the classroom to corporate life much smoother.”

Visually Impaired and Learning Programming

There’s no question that teens love technology, and Alex Mitov is no exception. In fact, the Bowling Green High School student, who is visually impaired, not only navigates fluently with his phone and computer, but he also plans to major in Computer Science at BGSU after graduation. He’s currently working with Assistant Professor Sankardas Roy to further his programming skills. Alex’s interest in computer science began about two years ago when a peer challenged him to a game of Minecraft. In their current arrangement, Dr. Roy gives him Java programming assignments that take a week or two to complete.

Computer Science - Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes – Bachelor of Arts
Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Computer Science are expected to be able to:

Analyze a given problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution;
Use current computing techniques, skills, and tools in a real-world environment;
Apply mathematical foundations and computer science theory as appropriate in modeling and solving problems;
Understand the impact of professional, ethical, and social issues in computing;
Understand design and development principles in the construction of software systems;
Communicate effectively with others.

Learning Outcomes – Bachelor of Science
Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Computer Science are expected to be able to:

Analyze a given problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution;
Use current techniques, skills, and tools in computing practice;
Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory as appropriate in modeling and solving real-world problems;
Understand the impact of professional, ethical, and social issues in computing;
Apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity;
Communicate effectively with large audiences using oral, written, and electronic mediums;
Contribute effectively to professional teams in order to accomplish a common goal.

Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Bowling Green State University [BGSU]. The Higher Learning Commission has accredited BGSU since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012-2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. ABET is a nonprofit organization that accredits higher education programs in engineering and engineering technology, applied science and computing. It is recognized as the worldwide leader in quality assurance for programs in those disciplines.

Professional Licensure (If applicable)
Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Computer Science program does not lead to professional licensure.

Gainful Employment (If applicable)
Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Computer Science program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Specializations:

Business Systems, Digital Forensics, Computational Data Science

Updated: 02/27/2023 03:38PM