No matter how many ups and downs are experienced by the broader economy, those who enroll in accredited computer science degree programs in Indiana are likely to enjoy relative stability in their professional positions. That’s because the tech industry remains among the most stable, fastest-growing, and best-paying industries in the United States. Those who have at least a bachelor’s degree in this field are also marketable to employers outside the United States if they wish to work for multinational or foreign tech firms. Indiana students have a wealth of programs to choose from, including some of the most prestigious in the country. From undergraduate programs with a math-and-science focus to graduate and doctoral programs that go more in-depth, there really is a program for every kind of student no matter where they stand in their studies or professional ambitions.

Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne

College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Known as IPFW, the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus of Indiana University is cooperatively managed via a merger of the Indiana University system and Purdue University’s campus in Fort Wayne. The result is a public institution that gives students the benefits of dozens of computer-oriented programs, on-campus research, a large group of doctoral faculty members, and excellent connections throughout the surrounding Fort Wayne community. The College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science is consistently ranked near the top of engineering schools nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, both in terms of the school’s overall value and in terms of its academic rigor. Programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels ensure students of all backgrounds gain the skills they need to succeed in large IT environments and smaller, tech-oriented organizations and startups.

B.A. in Computer Science

By far the most popular computer science program at IPFW is the institution’s Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. The degree was crafted for students who wish to learn all they can about computers, without taking extensive co-requirements in mathematics and laboratory science. Because the degree is arts-focused, both the math and science requirements are lessened in comparison to the school’s B.S. option. Students take only 9 credits in upper-level math, and six credits in laboratory science. They also pursue the school’s liberal arts core as part of their general education program. Within the computer science degree program, students will learn basic computer programming, database administration, the ethics of technology use and deployment, the fundamentals of network security and deployment, and how to talk to coworkers and less experienced personnel about tech decisions and developments.

B.S. in Computer Science

The primary distinction between the B.A. in computer science and its B.S. counterpart is the required math and science courses that students must pursue in order to graduate. Students in the B.S. program will have to take additional math courses that include calculus and discrete mathematics. They will be required to pursue additional laboratory sciences, though they can select computer-related courses to satisfy this requirement. In addition to these requirements and the liberal arts core, students will take classes similar to those in the B.A. program. Database administration is a central area of focus, as are networking deployment, software installation and updates, and computer programming. At graduation, B.S. candidates will be able to analyze and deploy today’s technologies, talk with others about these activities, and use computer programming skills to create custom solutions in the workplace.

Minor in Computer Science

The Minor in Computer Science is designed to give students in virtually any major a strong computer background that is increasingly marketable in today’s economy. Though a lighter course load than a full major in the field, those who pursue the minor will still take basic computer programming classes, a database management course, and classes that teach them the basics of network security, software deployment, and the role of technology within an administrative or corporate organization. The degree lays the foundation for studies in management information systems, computer science, and network administration at the graduate level.

M.S. in Applied Computer Science

Students who wish to go more in-depth than most undergraduate courses allow will love the graduate program in applied computer science at IPFW. The program deals with the practical issues that face today’s computer programmers, network administrators, and software engineers. More advanced application programming will be a central part of the program, including desktop and mobile languages for multiple platforms. Students will learn how to select, install, and deploy workstation and network hardware as needed. They will learn more advanced ethical and legal issues of network security and computer administration, giving them the skills they need to succeed in a decision-making role in larger organizations.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: (260) 481-6100
Website: http://www.ipfw.edu/departments/etcs/programs/undergraduate.html

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is unique in Indiana, in that it was founded exclusively as a school for students of computer science, engineering, and mathematics. The private institution is home to just 2,100 undergraduates and just over 100 postgraduate students, and that means those pursuing computer science at the undergraduate level will enjoy exceedingly small class sizes and more robust learning environments than they might enjoy at a larger university. Because the school is centrally focused on three core areas of teaching, courses are decidedly more in-depth and professors are highly experienced in their respective fields. Graduates of Rose-Hulman therefore enjoy more practical skills on the job, better networking opportunities throughout Terre Haute and statewide, and an easier time in graduate studies if they choose to pursue them.

B.S. in Computer Science

The central theme at Rose-Hulman for those in the computer science program is the ability to both analyze and anticipate. The program uses hands-on learning experiences and unique troubleshooting teaching styles to teach students how to use an analytical mind to solve common network, software, and security problems in today’s computing environments and offices. These same teaching styles give students the background they need to anticipate common problems and take proactive steps that prevent major security holes, significant software bugs, or hardware problems. Graduates will have a solid understanding of object-oriented computer programming, software engineering, network and database administration, computer security, and technical troubleshooting.

Minor in Computer Science

A Minor in Computer Science at Rose-Hulman comes with many of the same themes found in the bachelor degree program. Those who opt for this more compact study of technology in the modern world will still learn basic computer programming and network security. Their courses will be centered on troubleshooting and analytical thinking, giving them the background they need to be more proactive in their future position than perhaps competing candidates might be. The computer science minor pairs well with engineering, giving students the tech knowledge they need to be more efficient in their future profession.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
Phone: (812) 877-8402
Email: degler@rose-hulman.edu
Website: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/academics/academic-departments/computer-science-software-engineering.aspx

University of Evansville

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Though small, the University of Evansville has a big reputation when it comes to graduating computer science experts. The university is one of the few in Indiana with ABET accreditation for all of its computer and engineering-related programs, and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. With just over 3,000 students, the College of Engineering and Computer Science gives students access to seasoned professors and small class sizes. This individualized attention helps students better understand the material and explains why employers in the area are specifically interested in Evansville graduates to fill entry-level positions in their tech departments. Thanks to an exchange of academic credit for off-campus internships, graduates also have real experience and a professional network to draw from as they pursue their first position.

B.S. in Computer Science

Undergraduates can opt to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree, which combines math, science, and technology into a comprehensive program. All students start out by taking courses required by the general education core, and then move into basic courses in programming, network security, organizational technology, and software engineering. As they progress through the program, Evansville’s computer science students will take advanced mathematics courses, several laboratory sciences from different departments, and several lab-based computer courses that give them hands-on experience with both software and hardware. When combined with the optional off-campus internship, this unique experience gives students the skills they need to be proactive problem-solvers and analytical thinkers in the workplace.

M.S. in Computer Science

Those admitted to the graduate program in computer science must have studied the field as an undergraduate. As such, the M.S. at Evansville is both comprehensive and highly specialized. In this program, students are taught more about advanced computer and mobile application programming, hardware selection and deployment, and the philosophical challenges that face tech professionals in today’s organizations. The goal of the program, and its primary outcome, is to teach students how to align their technology-focused role in an organization with both current technologies and the regulations that govern things like security, network policies, and application development. Students are encouraged to work with a professor on-campus through laboratory clusters and graduate teaching assistantships, both of which are valuable forms of related experience.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Evansville
College of Engineering and Computer Science
1800 Lincoln Ave.
Evansville, IN 47722
Phone: (800) 423-8633
Email: uerelations@evansville.edu
Website: http://www.evansville.edu/majors/eecs/computerScience.cfm

University of Notre Dame

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

The University of Notre Dame is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, and one of the largest schools in Indiana regardless of public or private designation. The high level of prestige associated with the university applies even more strongly to its Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which often tops lists nationwide of the best schools for graduate students in these fields. That’s because of Notre Dame’s extensive research opportunities and long-term contributions to the field, as well as its ABET accreditation, emphasis of on-campus and off-campus practical experiences, and its seasoned faculty from all across the country.

M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering

Graduate students who studied computer science at the undergraduate level will be able to pick up exactly where they left off once they’re accepted to the M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. Thanks to the co-curricular nature of this graduate program, students will get a thorough understanding of issues like software administration, hardware deployment, and network security, while pairing it with courses in software and network engineering. The goal of the program is to produce graduates who can not only supervise technology implementations and make crucial decisions, but also take initiative on their own to design, test, and implement systems that are better for their specific employer. The engineering designation offered by this program, and its ABET accreditation, make it one of the most powerful degrees offered anywhere in the state of Indiana.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Doctoral students in computer science will split their time at Notre Dame between lectured study and self-guided learning. Research will also play a central part in the doctoral program, with all students required to present a unique, highly researched thesis to a panel of university experts prior to moving from degree candidacy to graduation. The Ph.D. in Computer Science at Notre Dame is primarily designed for those preparing to teach computer science in academia, and as such focuses more on the theoretical nature of modern technology, its best uses in a variety of case studies, and how information about technology can be conveyed to organizations, the general public, and students pursuing the field at all levels.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Notre Dame
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Notre Dame, IN 46556f
Phone: (574) 631-5000
Website: https://cse.nd.edu

Indiana is home to some of the best public and private universities in the country, which means good news for those who aspire to a career in the technology industry. With research-intensive doctoral programs, practical master’s programs, and undergraduate programs that provide a solid foundation, the accredited computer science degree programs in Indiana are a sure bet for people at every stage of their professional careers in the industry.