Computer Science

One of the most innovative and essential fields of study, computer science has been, is, and will continue to be responsible for most of our technological world.

Computer scientists are the ones who write the software that runs on the computers found everywhere in modern life, from military to medical, communications to transportation, and manufacturing to entertainment. They find software solutions to address issues for companies and the world.

The Computer Science student at St. Mary’s studies programming languages, operating systems, algorithms, databases, computer architecture, computer networks, computer security and software engineering.

They will know at least six common programming languages (C, C++, C#, Java, Python, SQL) by the time they graduate. All of the CS-type degrees have the same CS core classes.

Students learn to develop not only strong software development skills, but also problem-solving and oral and written communication skills.

Internships and Research

To be successful in computer science, students must be able to perform in the real world. As a result, many Computer Science students work as interns in local industry such as H-E-B, USAA, Southwest Research Institute, Rackspace, Labatt Food Services and Valero.

These students may work full-time in the summer and part-time in the fall and spring. Some have done co-ops at IBM and Microsoft, while others may complete their senior project as part of their internship or as a community service project helping local non-profit organizations become technologically up-to-date.

Student research opportunities are essential components of the Computer Science program at St. Mary’s. Students may assist in faculty research involving the National Science Foundation and other grants, as well as tutor mathematics and computer science in the Rattler Success Center.

Center for Cyber Excellence

The Center for Cyber Excellence at St. Mary’s University is a collaborative venture drawing on the expertise of faculty and staff from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology, as well as from other disciplines within the University and the University’s Information Services Division. The Center provides guidance and general cyber defense information, and promotes collaboration and interaction with other students, faculty and programs.

Activities

The Department hosts Computer Science Seminars which help students learn how to be great students, as well as providing them with opportunities to learn how to interview and meet potential employers.

Students can participate in the Computer Science club called Infinite Loops and the cyber security club called Buffer Overflow, which are open to all students. They can also go to or join the St. Mary’s student chapter of the IEEE Computer Society, a professional organization that allows students to network with professionals worldwide.

The Computer Science Department hosts its semi-annual Computer Science Symposium on the Friday evening of exams. The Symposium is a forum for and an expression of the accomplishments of St. Mary’s upper-level Computer Science majors and graduate students. The students and groups compete for the best in their class research or product area. Their posters and presentations are judged by industry professionals from the San Antonio community. The top student or top group of each class/software division is awarded an honor cord that they may wear when they graduate.

Living and Learning Together

Many of our students live in the Science Living Community, a residence hall dedicated to students who are majoring in the sciences. In this community, students live down the hall from their classmates studying similar subjects and have tutors available in the dorm for some math and science courses.

This community partners with the school of Science, Engineering and Technology to host programs throughout the academic year and invites faculty to visit the halls and share their passion and experiences.

Customize Your Learning with Tracks

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program offers students the option to pursue one of three tracks to meet their professional and personal goals: cyber security, data science, and game development. The 120-credit-hour major includes 12 hours (cyber security or game development) or 9 hours (data science) of specialty courses in your track of choice. Examples of courses include:

  • eLearning and Gamification (game development track)
  • Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime (cyber security track)
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (data science track)

Students also have the option to pursue the Computer Science degree without a specified track.

Academic Programs in the Department of Computer Science

Computer Information Systems

Computer Science

Computer Science and Application Systems

Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

Graduate Certificate in Educational Computer Gaming

Master of Science in Computer Information Systems

Master of Science in Computer Science

Master of Science in Cyber Security

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