Computer Science, Bachelor's , Minor
Overview
Gain the skills you need for graduate study, a career, or both in the continuously changing fields of computer science.
Our curriculum provides a solid foundation in both computer science theory and practice. It focuses on the design, development, testing, and maintenance of a versatile set of software applications and hands-on experience with hardware.
As a DeSales computer science major, you'll have plenty of options. Earn the general Computer Science degree, or specialize your degree with a Cyber Security track, a Digital Art track, a Game Programming track, or a Data Science/Applied AI track.
Options
- General Track—Focus on the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software and hardware systems.
- Cyber Security Track—Focus on the practical and theoretical aspects of the fast growing cyber security sector.
- Digital Art Track—Study and create digital art, combining the science of computing with the creativity of art.
- Game Programming Track—Concentrate on the visual aspect of computing combined with the logic of movement and design.
- Data Science/Applied AI Track—Learn the structures, concepts, mathematics, and computer languages of data analytics and AI.
What makes our computer science major unique?
Small Class Sizes- less than 15-20 students in upper level courses
- no more than 30 students in lower level courses
- each major receives an academic advisor within our department
- 15-20 Computer Science majors per class
- tight-knit, community feel
- accessible, experienced and highly trained faculty with
expertise in such areas as 3D computer animation, computer security, game programming and more
- multiple tracks within allow you to focus on specific areas of interest
- double majors and minors are achievable within four-year time frame
- opportunities for students to participate in undergraduate research with full-time faculty members
Get Involved
- Coed Varsity Esports team
- Computer Science Club
- Anime Club
- The Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
- The Department of Homeland Security: Academic Alliance Partner
A computer science degree can be the gateway to an ever-growing field known for diverse career opportunities, high starting salaries, and job security.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
A computer science degree can be the gateway to an ever-growing field known for diverse career opportunities, high starting salaries, and job security.
General Computer Science courses* include:
- Introduction to Python
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Data Structures
- Computer Architecture & Hardware Support
- Database and Data Visualization
- Operating Systems
- Communications and Networks
- Software Engineering
- Database Analysis and Design
- Security
*Many of these courses are omitted in specific tracks. Please consult the Tracks section and the Graduation Requirement sheets to see track specific course loads.
Students who graduate from DeSales University with a major in computer science will be able to demonstrate:
- critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to use computer science methodologies to solve problems;
- advanced knowledge of current technology based on industry standards;
- advanced knowledge of theoretical concepts based on industry standards;
- knowledge of ethical and social principles in the computer science field;
- integration of skills relevant to a profession or advanced studies.
Academic Catalog
Graduation Requirements
View the graduation requirements and example schedule for this programFaculty
Facilities
Computer Labs/Classrooms
- three dedicated computer labs (one programming; one digital art; one hardware)
- labs are equipped with modern technology including dual monitor computers, digital art drawing tablets, smart boards and flat screen televisions classrooms are equipped with smart board technology and have a maximum capacity of less than 30 students
Software
- up-to-date software used in our classes include Microsoft Visual Studio, Eclipse, Virtual PC, Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Game Engine, Oracle, Autodesk Mudbox, Geometer’s Sketchpad and Android Studio
Careers & Internships
Recent graduates of the department have obtained employment at companies including:
- Air Products & Chemicals, American Heritage Federal Credit Union, B. Braun Medical Inc.,
- Cigna Health Insurance, Crayola, LLC, Department of the Navy, ETS-Educational Testing Services,
- Harleysville Insurance, Hatch House Ventures, Lockheed Martin Corp., Lutron Electronics,
- Merck, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., PPL Corp., Prudential, St. Luke’s University Health Network, TD Bank,
- Trifecta Technologies, T-Mobile, Vanguard, amazon.com
Recent graduates of the department have pursued graduate studies at institutions including:
- University of Pennsylvania (Statistics/Analytics), Temple University (Applied Mathematics),
- Villanova University (Applied Statistics), Lehigh University (Pure Mathematics),
- University of Delaware (Financial Engineering), Rutgers University (Computer Science),
- University of Michigan (Data Mining; Bio-statistics), DeSales University (M.B.A., M.Ed., M.S.I.S.)
Employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 557,100 new jobs. Demand for these workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
Tracks
At DeSales, you'll have the opportunity to choose an area of focus within the Computer Science major.
General Track
Gain the skills needed for graduate study, a career, or both in the continuously changing fields of computer science. The general track focuses on the design, development, testing, and maintenance of a versatile set of software applications with hands-on experience with hardware.
Cyber Security Track
This track focuses on the practical and theoretical aspects of the fast growing cyber security sector. You'll learn the preferred methods and security systems needed in the corporate IT world. You'll also learn how to secure communication methods, establish custody of data, and securely transport and store data.
Your Cyber Security track will include:
- CS216 Cyber Security
- CJ270 Digital Forensics
- MA387 Cryptology
Digital Art Track
Study and create digital art, combining the science of computing with the creativity of art. Courses in this concentration teach students advanced techniques in graphic design, animation creation, game programming, simulation development, and user interface. Fine arts courses offered through the humanities department enhance this degree by complimenting the graphical design with an artistic approach.
Your Digital Art track will include:
- CS119 Digital Art Story Development
- CS265 Web Page Design
- CS270 Multimedia
- CS340 Digital Art
- CS390 3D Modeling for Production
- CS392 3D Animation Production
- TV225 Basic Studio Productions
- FA106 Introduction to Drawing and Painting
- OR FA251 Introduction to Photography
- OR FA101 Introduction to Drawing
Game Programming Track
Concentrate on the visual aspect of computing combined with the logic of movement and design. This concentration isn’t just for those interested in the video game industry. Video game development, animation, and simulation have shifted the technology marketplace. Our graduates have gone on to jobs in the healthcare industry as well as the information science fields.
Your Game Programming track will include:
- CS119 Digital Art Story Development
- CS333 Web & Mobile App Development
- CS340 Digital Art
- CS392 3D Animation Production
- CS394 Game Development/Interface
- CS494 Advanced Game Development
Data Science/Applied AI Track
You will learn the structures, concepts, mathematics, and computer languages of data analytics and AI. You will learn to use the software and cloud platforms in demand in the job market, such as Tableau, SAS, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google TensorFlow.
You will conduct real data analytics projects using open source datasets and data from local companies.
You will learn how to govern data ethically and legally, in accordance with the Christian humanist mission of the DeSales U.
Your Data Science/Applied AI track will include:
- CS250 Introduction to Data Science
- CS362 Introduction to Machine Learning
- CS370 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- MA222 Statistical Analysis using R
During my time at DeSales, I found a supportive learning environment that helped ignite and pursue my passions. I had never thought about esports being an attainable career path — until receiving invaluable tutelage from the esports program director. The connections I made through my time in the classroom, as well as my experience in esports, are some of my most treasured memories.
— Hubert Whan Tong, '20
If you’re interested in majoring in computer science, I definitely recommend visiting DeSales and seeing for yourself the beauty of the campus and the atmosphere. Interact with students, ask them questions, meet the faculty, sit in on a class, or go to a club meeting just to see for yourself how awesome it really is here.
— Karen Ruggles, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Study Abroad
DeSales has an international experience for every student, every major, for every student athlete — we have something for everyone, no matter what.
We have many international agreements that allow you to study abroad for a semester at the same cost as your DeSales tuition, and you can use your financial aid!
Interested in Teaching Computer Science?
Students who earn an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and are interested in becoming a teacher are eligible for our Secondary Education 7-12 Master of Education and Certification program.
