Computer Science

Undergraduate Students

Students in lower division courses are advised by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Student Services Center/EOP. Students in the department’s majors taking upper division courses are advised through the department office. New transfer students should schedule an initial advisement with the transfer advisor.

Graduate Students

Graduate students are initially advised by the graduate coordinator. After the formation of their graduate committees, graduate students are advised by the committee chair.

A degree in Computer Science can lead to a career in software development and software engineering where graduates design, implement, test and maintain large software systems, or a career in such specialized fields as computer graphics, games, security, robotics, artificial intelligence and expert systems, distributed systems, embedded applications, databases, web applications, network applications and networking. The degree can lead to a career in almost any industry, including aerospace, manufacturing, banking, health, research, entertainment, telecommunications, social media and education. Computer scientists often become essential members of interdisciplinary design and research teams, working on problems from all technical domains.

A degree in Computer Information Technology can lead to a career in such fields as computer system administration, computer security, database administration, website development and administration, enterprise network administration, computer system analysis, computer system planning, computer forensic analysis, cloud computing services and IT management.

The B.S. in Computer Science and B.S. in Computer Information Technology programs are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Honors Cooperative Internship Program

The college offers an opportunity for highly qualified students to work in local industry throughout an entire calendar year. Students work full time during the summer and half time during the academic year. Students receive 6 units of academic credit in conjunction with this experience. The program is open to undergraduates who are nearing their senior year, have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and have passed the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam. Graduate students who want to participate must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. Applicants are matched to employer-supplied job descriptions and scheduled for interviews with prospective employers. The competitive nature of the program usually generates more applicants than available positions. The application period begins in early March, and the period of employment is typically from July 1 through June 30.

Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Department faculty provide advisory support to students who are interested in managing the local student chapter of the ACM.

CECS Senior Design Project Showcase

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) Senior Design Showcase is an annual event at which teams of students from the college compete with one another and present their senior design coursework to a panel of judges from industry. Prizes are given for the best oral presentations and best displays.

SS12 Code for a Cause Programming Competition

SS12 Code for a Cause is a weekend-long programming competition at which teams of students work with professionals to develop software applications for persons with disabilities. Competition starts at the campus level, and the winner advances to a statewide competition. Teams from CSUN have won first place at several recent competitions at the state level.

Layer 8 Computer Network and Security Club

The Layer 8 club educates students about computer security and holds friendly internal competitions to increase students’ knowledge of computer security issues and to develop their skills. The club organizes workshops on computer and web security and invites guest speakers from industry. They compete regularly in the Western Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

Computer Science and Technology Student Club

This club performs outreach to high schools and community colleges to increase awareness of computer science and technology and to motivate students to consider majoring in those areas when they enter college.

Scholarships and Awards

The College of Engineering and Computer Science administers a substantial scholarship program, dispersing more than $60,000 each year to high-achieving engineering and computer science students. The college also administers memorial scholarships and scholarships donated by friends of the University.

Applications and information are available in January, with applications due in early March. Specific dates and further information can be obtained from the college administrative offices.