Computer Science BA

Computer Science B.A. students at the University of Oregon can take their learning beyond the classroom through internships, industry-connected capstone projects, undergraduate research, hackathons, student organizations, and faculty-mentored projects. The School of Computer and Data Sciences specifically emphasizes practical learning through projects and real-world work with industry and community partners, allowing students to build technical skills and professional experience while completing their degree.

Students can develop practical experience through:

• Industry-connected capstones: Computer Science students can work on real-world projects with professional mentors; previous projects have involved Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Pipeworks Studios.

• Intel collaboration: A Computer Science capstone project involved students helping Intel investigate ways to limit carbon emissions, giving students exposure to a genuine industry problem.

• Pipeworks game development: Students worked with Pipeworks Studios on a video-game development project, applying their Computer Science knowledge in a professional-style environment.

• Internships: SCDS maintains a centralized internship database for Computer Science, Data Science, and Cybersecurity students, with additional support through Handshake, career fairs, faculty advisors, and student organizations.

• Global internships: Students can also access Global Education Oregon's GlobalWorks Internship program, which connects students with organizations for quarter-long internships abroad.

• Career and Internships Seminar: CS 407 provides practical preparation for internships and early-career opportunities, including résumé building, portfolio preparation, interviewing, networking, job-search strategies, and recruiting events.

• Software development: Students study CS 322: Introduction to Software Engineering, CS 422: Software Methodology I, and CS 330: C/C++ and Unix, developing knowledge directly connected to software creation and development practices.

• Research opportunities: Undergraduate students can work with faculty on research projects and develop experience with the scientific method, complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative research.

• Honors research: Eligible students can complete CS 401 Research and CS 403 Thesis under faculty supervision and present a departmental honors thesis.

• Student groups and hackathons: SCDS supports student groups, workshops, hackathons, competitions, and other collaborative activities where students can develop technical skills outside regular coursework.

• AI and cybersecurity activities: The School of Computer and Data Sciences has faculty expertise and research activity in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-performance computing, and networking, giving students opportunities to connect undergraduate study with active areas of computing research.

• Computing environment: The Computer Science department is located in Deschutes Hall, which houses the department and its academic and research community.

The Computer Science B.A. prepares graduates for technology careers while giving them the interdisciplinary breadth to apply computing skills across different industries and professional settings. Its combination of programming, algorithms, systems, software development, mathematics, ethics, science, communication, and liberal arts study can support careers in software, systems, security, networks, data, and other computing-related areas.

Typical career roles include:

Software Developer, Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, Security Analyst

Students can strengthen their career preparation through:

• University Career Center: Students can receive individual career coaching for job and internship searches, résumé and cover-letter development, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, professionalism, graduate-school statements, and evaluating job offers.

• Handshake: Students can search for jobs and internships, connect with employers, manage career activities, and build professional networks through the University of Oregon's Handshake platform.

• Career and Internships Seminar: CS 407 provides targeted preparation for early-career positions and internships through résumé and portfolio development, interview preparation, networking, job-search strategies, and recruiting events.

• Internship credit: Students can earn academic credit while gaining real-world experience through the University's internship-credit options.

• Industry-connected projects: Computer Science capstones have connected students with Intel, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Pipeworks Studios, giving students experience solving professional problems and working with industry mentors.

• Career events and networking: The University Career Center provides career fairs, employer events, networking opportunities, workshops, résumé reviews, and other activities designed to connect students with employers.

• Graduation outcomes: The program's learning outcomes emphasize technical competency, software design and testing, adaptability to emerging technologies, communication, teamwork, and ethical computing practice.

• Employment statistics and salary: A current Computer Science B.A.-specific employment rate or average starting salary was not identified in the official University of Oregon sources reviewed, so no unsupported figure is included.

• Long-term professional value: The degree provides broad preparation across core Computer Science areas while allowing students to develop a concentration and combine their computing education with other academic interests.

• Graduate preparation: Research opportunities, honors thesis work, advanced electives, and faculty interaction can provide useful preparation for students who want to continue into graduate-level Computer Science or related fields.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into the University of Oregon's M.S. in Computer Science or Ph.D. in Computer Science. BA Computer Science graduates are also eligible to consider the Computer Science Early Start Master's Program, through which eligible students can have up to 8 credits of qualifying 400-level Computer Science coursework count toward master's requirements; students who want a faster combined degree route can explore the department's accelerated master's options, subject to their eligibility requirements.