Computer Science Major

What field has made countless impacts on the way we live in the 21st century? Computer science.

The bedrock on which modern technologies and tools are built, computer science enables people around the world to reliably communicate. It empowers us to easily access information on virtually any topic at the touch of a button or click of a mouse.

With continued advancements in computer science—and the algorithms that drive it—new technologies will continue to impact business, healthcare, education, entertainment, and virtually every other economic sector in the U.S. and abroad.

That means college graduates with strong hardware, software, networking, database, information systems, programming, and web development skills are in demand.

Learn more about our Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences and faculty

Why choose computer science at Marian?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science (CS) at Marian University will open your mind and your heart to endless possibilities. In our program, you can expect to:

Gain broad understanding and practical mastery of computer science and its applications in business, healthcare, science, education, and other fields through a robust math and computer science curriculum.
Apply cutting-edge and emerging approaches to problem-solving using computation and explore innovative uses of modern technologies.
Build essential professional competencies (like good written and verbal communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills sought by top employers) through general education courses grounded in the liberal arts.
Complete hands-on learning opportunities and real-world projects to help local nonprofit organizations, businesses, and others solve computing and technology challenges.
Develop strong professional ethics, personal integrity, and a desire to make the world a better place thanks to courses and programs that reflect our Franciscan values.

Thanks to our location, you’ll have easy access to excellent internship and employment opportunities throughout central Indiana. Our strong regional economy and technology infrastructure attracts industry leaders in advanced manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and the life sciences, among others. Indy is also home to hundreds of established high-tech companies and technology start-ups.

Software.org reported software employment in Indiana grew by 32 percent (about 8,800 jobs) from 2014 to 2016, making Indiana second in the U.S. for the largest percentage increase in software development during that period.
Indianapolis was named one of the top six cities in which to start a business by Inc. in 2017. The city was recognized by Fast Company as the nation’s tenth best for women in technology in 2018.
Infosys, a global leader in next-gen digital service and consulting that serves corporate clients and enterprises in 45 countries and employs more than 225,000 staffers, has chosen Indianapolis for its new U.S. headquarters. An initial $35 million investment in Indianapolis is expected to create about 3,000 new jobs by 2023.
Indianapolis is home to tech giant Salesforce as well nearly 700 other tech companies like Appirio, Kronos, Genesys, Springbuk, and Zylo.

What will you study?

To earn the 128-credit Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Marian, you’ll collaborate with your faculty advisor to develop a plan of study that fits your academic interests and career goals.

Defined course sequences help you build early foundational knowledge that you’ll expand upon each semester:

Programming and computer science theory
Object-oriented design and data structures
Important algorithms and techniques for their analyses
Principals of computer architecture and hardware design

As a student in our program, you can expect to achieve substantial learning outcomes before you graduate, including:

Understanding of essential data abstraction and structures.
Experience in the design and analysis of algorithms.
Knowledge of structured, object-oriented, and functional computer programming.
Advanced proficiency in multiple programming languages like C++, Python, and others.
Mastery of software development techniques.
Comprehension of computer components, including processor design and performance principles.
Strong problem-solving skills and abilities.

You will also complete a senior seminar, senior capstone project, and have opportunities to engage in directed research and independent study before graduation.

Examples of courses available for CS majors include:

CST 171: Procedural Programming
CST 220: Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming
CST 315: Computer Graphics
CST 318: Artificial Intelligence
CST 330: Computer Networking
CST 340: Database Systems
CST 371: Software Engineering
CST 420: Operating Systems
CST 450: Theory of Computation

Sample Four-Year Plan and Checklist

What career paths are available?

Entry-level jobs for those with a bachelor’s degree in computer science are plentiful. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), here are some examples:

Occupation	Growth through 2026	Median 2017 salary
Information security analyst	28 percent	$95,510
Software developer	24 percent	$103,560
Web developer	15 percent	$67,990
Computer and information systems manager	12 percent	$139,220
Database administrator	11 percent	$87,020
Computer systems analyst	9 percent	$88,270
Computer network architect	6 percent	$104,650
Network and computer systems administrator	6 percent	$81,100
Computer hardware engineer	5 percent	$115,120

More advanced career paths in computer science may require a master’s or doctoral degree. If you plan to apply for graduate school, the B.S. in computer science at Marian will prepare you to be a competitive candidate for admission to the program of your choice.

For more information about careers in computer science, visit: