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Computer science knowledge is essential to businesses, households, government agencies and various other organizations. No matter where you go, youll find computers hard at work. These computer systems and technologies require knowledgeable, talented professionals to ensure everything runs properlyand with an in-person or online degree in computer science, you can become one of them.

Earning a bachelors in computer science can qualify you for many well-paying technology jobs. This degree imparts practical computer science knowledge, also building on your skills to prepare you for a relevant career.

This article covers everything you need to know about earning a bachelors degree in computer science. Read more about admission requirements, potential coursework, concentrations and careers.

A bachelors in computer science prepares you to work in various computer technology careers. The curriculum covers software design and development, data management, web analytics, programming languages, e-commerce development, and other essential skills and knowledge.

Program requirements vary, but a bachelors in computer science typically requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete.

Most bachelors in computer science admission requirements align with their schools general requirements for undergraduate admissions. However, some programs may add certain math stipulations.

While admission requirements vary by educational institution, below we list several common standards:

Many programs offer concentrations, allowing students to focus their studies on a particular specialization. Choosing a concentration develops a strong knowledge and skills base in an area of interest. Below are a few common concentrations for a bachelors in computer science.

This concentration explores extracting knowledge and information from data. It covers interpreting data, creating visualizations, building mathematical models, working with large amounts of data, ensuring consistency in datasets and sharing data insights.

A software engineering concentration covers developing and maintaining software systems. It prepares students to identify customers needs and create software that effectively and efficiently meets them.

Students concentrating in AI, robotics and gaming may pursue careers developing and implementing intelligent machines and systems used in gaming, computer vision and image processing, robotics and various computer applications.

This concentration teaches learners how to ensure information technology systems are secure, user-friendly and reliable. It emphasizes practical applications in computer technology rather than theoretical or mathematical concepts.

Cybersecurity concentrations teach the tools and methods to ensure network and software security, prevent cyber attacks, provide privacy, protect sensitive information, and maintain security in mobile, web and cloud systems.

This concentration explores software development and programming specifically for web and mobile applications. This includes using mobile programming languages, operating systems, Internet technologies and protocols.

Bioinformatics explores the collection, analysis and interpretation of data used in biological macromolecular and genomic research and investigations, focusing on DNA. It includes understanding statistical data analysis, applying genomics knowledge and bioinformatics research design issues.

Below are typical courses you might find in a computer science bachelors degree program. Your options may differ slightly, but the subject matter should be similar.

As an introduction to computer programming, students learn design and development, including analyzing problems, testing and debugging. This course teaches students to identify and solve technical problems using functions, data, and control structures.

A programming languages course covers computer programming languages within the computer science field. Students learn to examine programming languages structure, organization, and specifications and explore programming models used in various programming paradigms.

In this course, students learn how organizations use computer systems and technologies in their daily operations. The curriculum explores infrastructure issues, business intelligence, business applications, security measures, and other critical technology issues that apply to businesses and organizations.

Software security courses examine methods for writing secure code that aligns with the appropriate protocols for security testing. Students analyze and implement security concepts, apply encryption technologies and use various secure communication methods.

In this capstone course, students demonstrate their skills and knowledge by applying and integrating the principles they have learned during the degree program. It uses oral presentations, examinations and written projects to demonstrate a students mastery of the material.

While many of the required courses are similar, there is a distinction between a bachelor of arts (BA) and a bachelor of science (BS) in computer science. A BA allows you to choose more electives in liberal arts subjects, such as psychology and public speaking. A BS curriculum focuses more on math and science-related courses, such as cybersecurity principles, digital forensics and mathematics.

Either degree can qualify you for jobs in the computer science field. Your choice should depend on whether you prefer a more general liberal arts education or one more focused on technical and scientific principles.

Below are a few job options for bachelors in computer science graduates, plus details on education requirements and a brief overview of each role. The salary data below comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Median Annual Salary: $99,890Minimum Required Education: Bachelors degreeJob Overview: Database administrators develop methods and systems to store, access, maintain and secure data for businesses and organizations. This data may include customers personal information, shipping records or financial data. Their work often involves backing up and restoring data and ensuring users can effectively access information within databases.

Median Annual Salary: $103,500Minimum Required Education: Bachelors degree, masters or doctoral degree sometimes requiredJob Overview: Data scientists gather, organize and analyze data to determine which data are suitable for a particular use. This includes developing, testing and modifying algorithms, using machine learning, working with raw data, making predictions according to data models, and presenting information using data visualization software.

Median Annual Salary: $78,580Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or GED, bachelors degree often preferredJob Overview: Web developers design, build, maintain and improve website performance. They use programming languages to write code to create online storefronts for a business. Web developers can be back-end developers, focusing on the technical aspects of web design, or front-end developers, focusing on a websites visual layout and functional design.

Median Annual Salary: $127,260Minimum Required Education: Bachelors degree, masters in computer science or a related field sometimes preferredJob Overview: Software developers create computer software programs and applications. They identify a business needs, evaluate security requirements, recommend upgrades, collaborate with programmers and integrate application elements to ensure functionality.

Median Annual Salary: $90,520Minimum Required Education: Bachelors degree, associate degree or certificate sometimes sufficientJob Overview: Network and computer system administrators manage the day-to-day responsibilities of installing, organizing and maintaining computer systems and networks. This includes identifying an organizations computer technology needs, evaluating potential solutions and recommending improvement. They may also train staff on new software or computer technology.

Yes. Most computer science jobs require an in-depth understanding of math, and a computer science degree prepares you for these roles. Your math knowledge typically needs to include algebra, statistics, calculus and discrete mathematics.

No, computer science jobs are not declining. In fact, the U.S. The BLS predicts job demand to increase by 25% for software developers, 36% for data scientists and 23% for web developers between 2021 and 2031. These projections are much stronger than the national average for all occupations (5%).

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Earning A Bachelor's In Computer Science Forbes Advisor - Forbes