The Computer Science Information Technology Concentration is a versatile and valuable program of study that will have its effects throughout all aspects of society. This program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to work with computers without the same level of math requirements as a traditional computer science program. Information technology students will support business, government and nonprofits with their knowledge of systems that support all of these organizations.
Information Technology concentration graduates can pursue careers in various industries such as business automation, business applications, IT support, e-commerce, cyber security. Additionally, they can continue their education to pursue a graduate degree based upon the foundation which Tusculum has provided them.
Tusculum developed this program with feedback from an advisory panel of people who work in the IT field across East Tennessee, including the head of the largest IT department in Northeast Tennessee, and tech recruiting firms.
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree with the information technology concentration at Tusculum University, students must complete the computer science core curriculum, which include topics such as basic programming skills, databases, web design. In addition, students will take classes within their concentration, such as networking, server administration and data analysis along with many more subjects.
To ensure students have real work experience, students will take a one credit hands-on experience class with our own IT department during their sophomore year of school, as well as have the opportunity to take up to two more three credit hour internship classes. Students will graduate with almost a full year of experience.
Additionally, computer science information technology concentration students may take a couple of other courses that qualify them for a minor in web development.
During the course of study, students are prepared for taking several industry standard certifications. While certification isn’t required of students, we know some students, and employers, will like to see them. At this time, we’re currently helping prepare students for:
The major is finished by a capstone project, which can be substantive in an IT-related topic, under the supervision of the computer science faculty.
Program highlights include:
Computer Science students are prepared to solve critical problems in in multiple industries and to work across disciplines. Students build the necessary experience by working in collaborative projects and building experience through their learning to work on substantive projects.
Computer science students learn from working on a growing complexity of projects both individually and as part of a team so that they have as close to real-world experience as they can upon graduation.
Students are provided opportunities to engage with one another through peer mentorship and tutoring, along with the Pi-oneers computer science and math club.
Computer science students are treated with respect and kindness and receive one-on-one attention from their professors who are focused on mentoring them and from staff members who will support them.
Students constantly learn from industry professionals, whether they are their instructor, or an outside speaker who has been brought in. A series of projects and research prepares the student for future classes, graduation, and beyond.
The curriculum culminates in a senior capstone project, where students work together to develop a substantial project over the term.
Computer science students routinely achieve highly at Tusculum, including recognition for scholastic achievement within the university. While still a new program, we’ve had several graduates go on to graduate school in different majors including engineering, computer science, and accounting.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase of 15% in computer and related careers through at least 2031 with a median salary of over $97,000, or approximately twice the median annual wage for all occupations. (https://bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm) Computer science students are always in high demand thanks to their broadly applicable training in problem solving, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning.
