Computer science is the systematic study of computing systems and computation. Numerous professional opportunities exist for graduates with computer science degrees including software engineering, internet systems and technology, game design, computer graphics, animation, robotics, artificial intelligence, security, medicine, biotechnology, business management and consulting, modeling, as well as graduate study in computing-related fields.
The computer science program at the University of Houston is rigorous. There is a strong correlation between the logical thinking and computer science. Students considering a major in computer science should thus have shown considerable ability in logical reasoning and mastered the fundamentals of applied mathematics. Students majoring in computer science also receive extensive instruction in state-of-the-art computing architectures, operating systems, compilers, software engineering methods and practices. Therefore, they combine good mathematical background with the ability to design and develop quality software on a large scale.
Students majoring in computer science choose one of three options:
- the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with software design option, or
- the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with science option, or
- the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science with business option.
Students planning to continue into graduate work are encouraged to pursue the B.S. with science option degree program.
The department’s teaching and research fields of specialization include bioinformatics, biomedical image analysis, computer networks, computer vision, computer graphics, databases, high performance computing, internet computing, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, physics-based modeling and simulation, real-time systems, software engineering, scientific computing, and theory.
Several faculty members have interdisciplinary interests in chemistry and the biological/medical sciences.
Students who choose to major in computer science must meet the following requirements in addition to the special requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree: