Degrees & Programs Computer Science

Do you value rigorous academics? Like a challenge? Seek to understand the common threads running through every discipline?

Consider a major in computer science, the formal study of abstract problem-solving. Computers permeate every facet of our society, so more and more careers relate to them: bioinformatics, cognitive science, digital media arts, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, management information systems, human-computer interaction, and intellectual property law. In fact, all fields and organizations welcome the talents of properly trained computer scientists. Learn how to organize and communicate information, use algorithms, procedures or formulas for solving problems, and work with a team to find practical applications.

Sample Schedule

Fall Spring
  • CS010 Design and Implementation of Solutions to Computational Problems (4)
  • CS015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • CS030 Abstract Models for Concrete Problems Using Java (4)
  • MA009 Calculus I (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Fall Spring
  • CS144 Computer Organization and Hardware Architectures or CS105 Programming Languages (4)
  • CS130 Creative Software Architectures for Collaborative Projects (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
  • CS Elective (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
Fall Spring
  • CS Elective (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • Physical Education Activity (1)
  • CS120 Data Structures/Algorithms (4)
  • CS Elective (4)
  • General Education (4)
Fall Spring
  • CS Elective (4)
  • CS Elective (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • CS195 Senior Seminar (4)
  • CS Elective (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • General Education (4)

Tentative Course Offering Plan

When planning your course of study, keep in mind that most upper-division CS courses are offered every other year.

FrequencyFallSpring
Every YearCS-010
MA/CS-015
CS-010 (non-major focus)
CS-030
CS-120
CS-195 (Senior Seminar)
Odd Years
e.g. 2023-2024
CS-125
CS-105
CS-106 
CS-116
CS-135
Even Years
e.g. 2024-2025
CS-144
CS-130
CS-128
CS-140
CS-150

Career Paths

Computer science is a great field with many opportunities. Money magazine rated software architect as the best job in America based on job opportunities, satisfaction and pay. Annual job openings in computer science will likely exceed the number of graduates for the foreseeable future. Opportunities for careers in computer science are both numerous and diverse, and a critical shortage of well-prepared professionals should persist.

 

     2018-2020 CS/DA, 39 graduates:

 

 

See career paths for graduates who majored or minored in computer science at Westmont.

Current Events

Computer Science Alumni Highlights

Dustin Carroll ’04 completed a master’s degree in marine science/physical oceanography from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in Monterey.

Luke Chambers ’02 is a programming manager at iParadigms, the leader in the field of textual intellectual property protection and the provider of Turnitin plagiarism detection products.

James Hanson ’03 is a security consultant with FishNet Security, a national leader in information security solutions.

Nick Lassonde ’03 helped to start a software company that was purchased by Kaseya, a global provider of IT automation software.

As a Westmont student, Morgan Vigil ’11 organized an after-school computer science program to help local high school students. She interned for Green Hills Software and then worked for them as a test engineer before starting a doctoral program in computer science at UC Santa Barbara. Her research uses social network analysis to design innovative wireless systems that enable the next three billion people to get online.

Julia Willson ’06 is a quality assurance senior tester with Disney Interactive Studios.

Kyle Watters ’06 completed his doctorate in astrophysics at Stanford in 2010 and teaches at California State University, Sacramento.

Mike Yankoski ’05 has been involved in various software startups and has also written Under the Overpass, a book about homelessness. He received his a master’s degree in theological studies from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia and is pursuing a doctorate at the University of Notre Dame.