Computer Science BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of San Diego

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of San Diego provides a comprehensive education in computing, combining mathematical and logical foundations with practical software development and engineering skills. Designed for students planning careers in computer science, the program covers programming, algorithms, computer systems, networking, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and advanced computing while offering optional concentrations in Embedded Software Development, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, and Cybersecurity.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build their foundation in programming and mathematics through Computational Problem Solving, Programming Abstractions and Methodologies, Calculus I, Calculus II, and Discrete Mathematics. COMP 110 introduces Python-based computational problem solving, while COMP 120 develops programming abstractions, data structures, and formal approaches to evaluating computational solutions.

Second Year: Students progress into the structure and mathematical foundations of computing through Introduction to Computer Systems, Advanced Computational Problem Modeling, Engineering Probability and Statistics, and Linear Algebra. They learn about data representation, machine and assembly languages, memory organization, concurrency, advanced data structures, and object-oriented programming using Java.

Third Year: Students develop professional software development and algorithmic skills through Object-Oriented Software Design and Algorithms, supported by systems courses or upper-division computer science electives. Object-Oriented Software Design emphasizes design patterns, frameworks, clean code, testing, code reviews, refactoring, and project documentation, while Algorithms develops advanced skills in algorithm analysis, design techniques, and computational complexity.

Senior Year: Students complete Automata, Computability and Formal Languages alongside the two-semester Senior Project sequence. Senior Project I develops professional skills in software architecture, human-computer interface design, teamwork, and project management, while Senior Project II requires teams to implement, test, document, and publicly demonstrate a significant software project.

Focus Areas

Software development, computational problem solving, algorithms, data structures, computer systems, operating systems, networking, digital hardware, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, embedded software, computer graphics, databases

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to analyze complex computing problems, design, implement and evaluate computing-based solutions, communicate effectively in professional settings, make informed decisions based on legal and ethical principles, work effectively in teams, and apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing solutions. The program also emphasizes responsible and ethical practice, lifelong learning, leadership, professional development, and contributions to society.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of San Diego's official Computer Science pages emphasize preparation for professional computer science careers through technical, analytical, computational, and hands-on education. The university's official materials identify ABET accreditation for its engineering programs, but the Computer Science BS itself is not specifically identified as an ABET-accredited program on the current Computer Science program pages, so no separate program-level accreditation is stated here.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of San Diego states that Computer Science majors have the highest starting salaries among graduating majors in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. The university's First-Destination Survey also identifies software engineer, associate software engineer, software development intern, and research scientist or engineer among recent CS graduate job titles, with alumni working at organizations including Deutsche Bank, Boeing, and Amazon Web Services.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience through software development projects, undergraduate research, internships, and the two-semester senior capstone. The program provides opportunities to work with programming, computer systems, embedded software, human-computer interaction, data science, and other areas, while USD's engineering facilities include a Cyber Computer Lab, Interdisciplinary Lab, and Chang Innovation Lab that support computing, collaboration, innovation, and capstone work.

Students can apply their knowledge through several hands-on opportunities:

Senior Project I and II: Students work in teams to design, implement, test, document, and publicly demonstrate a significant software project, developing skills in software architecture, human-computer interaction, teamwork, and project management.
Industry-sponsored projects: USD's engineering and computer science students can work with industry sponsors on real technical challenges, with projects ranging from AI-powered cybersecurity tools and wireless communication simulations to React Native applications, predictive modeling, sensor fusion, and mobile applications.
Interdisciplinary Lab: This renovated facility supports embedded software programs across computer science, electrical engineering, and integrated engineering and serves as a key space for capstone design.
Cyber Computer Lab: Students receive faculty guidance while developing computational thinking, abstract reasoning, and software solutions in a dedicated computer laboratory environment.
Chang Innovation Lab: This innovation hub supports entrepreneurship classes and interdisciplinary teams working on capstone projects, including projects conducted with industry mentors.
Computer Science Internship: COMP 498 provides practical experience applying computer science principles to software or hardware projects, with students completing an individual internship and written report.
Undergraduate Research: COMP 496 allows students to participate in faculty-directed computer science research, with an approved research proposal and written report.
Embedded Software Development: COMP 421 provides hands-on experience developing "bare metal" embedded software that runs directly on a microcontroller without operating-system support.
User-Centered Design and Prototyping: COMP 331 gives students practical experience applying human-computer interaction methods, gathering user needs, evaluating systems, and creating and testing rapid prototypes.
Industry tools and programming: The curriculum uses Python in introductory programming and Java in advanced computational problem modeling, while later courses involve software design, frameworks, testing, networking, simulations, and other computing technologies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Computer Science BS are prepared for professional roles across software development, systems engineering, research, cybersecurity, data, and technology. USD reports that most CS graduates enter industry as software developers, while recent alumni have progressed into positions such as Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Enterprise Account Engineer at organizations including Deutsche Bank, Boeing, and Amazon Web Services.

Typical career opportunities include:

Software Engineer
Systems Engineer
Software Developer
Research Scientist or Engineer

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through:

Career Development: USD's Career Development Center provides resources including Handshake for finding jobs and internships, career workshops and panels, career fairs, resume development, and career counseling.
Industry connections: The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering's Industry Partners Program connects students with industry professionals through mentoring, industry-sponsored projects, guest speakers, advisory boards, internships, and recruitment opportunities.
Industry-sponsored projects: Recent projects have included AI-powered cybersecurity, wireless communication simulations using Qualcomm's Hamoa platform, predictive modeling, React Native applications, and sensor-fusion applications for public transit, giving students opportunities to address real-world technical challenges.
Employment and salary outlook: USD reports that Computer Science majors have the highest starting salaries among graduating majors in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. The school's published overall undergraduate engineering figure is an average starting salary of $86,000, while its CS career page specifically identifies CS graduates as having the school's highest starting salaries.
Professional development: The program's educational objectives emphasize ethical and responsible practice, effective teamwork and leadership, lifelong learning, professional society involvement, and applying computing knowledge to advance society.
Graduate study: Computer Science students can continue into advanced study, including USD's Combined Master's in Cyber Security Engineering pathway available to USD computer science undergraduate majors. Students interested in research can also progress toward graduate-level computer science study or related technology fields.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue their education through USD's Combined Master's in Cyber Security Engineering pathway or pursue other master's and doctoral programs in areas such as computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, and related computing disciplines.