Accredited computer science degree programs in Kentucky are increasingly popular among today’s students, largely because they open up so many opportunities after graduation. A degree in computer science lets students ease into a role as a database administrator, a network engineer, an information security professional, a software developer, or a mobile application creator. What’s more, Kentucky’s biggest universities offer computer science degree programs at all levels, ranging from a concentration or bachelor’s degree in the field to master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and extensive research and teaching opportunities. The combination of these programs, and the prestigious reputation of Kentucky’s universities, give students the benefit of great classroom experiences, top-rated professors, and excellent off-campus networking opportunities that can benefit them during each year of their future career in the industry.

Eastern Kentucky University

Department of Computer Science

As a whole, Eastern Kentucky University has consistently been ranked as among the top 10 percent of all universities in the country for its academic rigor, doctoral faculty, and large number of highly skilled programs. The Department of Computer Science is one of the key reasons for the school’s continued rankings, with a strong undergraduate program that prioritizes work experience outside the university, unique networking opportunities on campus, and collaborative learning labs that teach students how to apply their classroom theory to real world situations and computing environments. Whether it’s through the major or minor, the department oversees a large number of students, its own student-professional organizations, and an honors society that rewards the highest achievers within the major.

B.S. in Computer Science

EKU’s undergraduate major in computer science awards students with a Bachelor of Science upon completion, and is therefore heavy in both mathematics and science courses at all levels. All students start off with the university’s core set of general education requirements, and then move into a basic, introductory course in computer science. This single course covers the fundamentals of programming, software administration, database management and technology-related decision-making. It sets the stage for more advanced courses in hardware and software deployment, network security, workplace technology, ethics and legal decisions in the computing field, and more. In addition to a series of advanced computer science courses and an off-campus internship, students will also pursue advanced math and laboratory science courses as part of the B.S. requirement in order to graduate.

Minor in Computer Science

Those who opt for the less intensive minor in computer science will still graduate from EKU with a strong understanding of computers and their role in numerous environments. The introductory course will be required first and foremost, and then students will move into advanced computer program, software and hardware deployment, network security and administration, and a course in the legal and ethical issues of modern computing. By the conclusion of the minor program, graduates will have the skills they need to work in highly technical environments and contribute to the adoption and development of technology in corporate, educational, or engineering workplaces.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Eastern Kentucky University
Department of Computer Science
521 Lancaster Avenue
Wallace 417
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: (859) 622-2398
Email: ka-wing.wong@eku.edu
Website: http://www.computerscience.eku.edu

University of Kentucky

Computer Science Department

The University of Kentucky is consistently ranked among the top schools in the country, especially for its tech-related majors and engineering program. Perhaps as a telling sign of just how confident the school is in its engineering prowess, the computer science department is actually located within the College of Engineering at UK. This gives students access to professors who are both seasoned in computer-related topics and decidedly interested in hands-on experiences and practical instruction. As a result, computer science courses at the institution mimic typical engineering offerings, with students working in groups throughout most courses to analyze, anticipate, and learn how to make proactive decisions regarding hardware, software, and technical troubleshooting.

B.S. in Computer Science

Of the many computer science programs offered at UK, the B.S. in Computer Science is one that charged with laying a firm foundation for students who wish to pursue higher education in the field at a later time. All students take a series of courses designed to give them a broad understanding of the modern technology industry and the computing environment. They’ll learn desktop and mobile application programming, software and operating system installation for multiple platforms, and how to properly administer network policies, corporate security protocols, and database information. The program also exchanges academic credit for an off-campus internship, which can help students build both their professional skill set and professional network while still enrolled in the program.

Minor in Computer Science

Computer science pairs well with degrees in everything from business to engineering, education to architecture. The minor at the University of Kentucky distills the program down in 18 credits of core principles, including the fundamentals of computer science, computer programming, software administration, database management, and networking. Students will graduate with a fundamental understanding of how to use or administer a network, choose the best software for their needs, or create custom solutions of both hardware and software to better help their or their employer’s high-tech goals and long-term objectives.

M.S. in Computer Science

UK’s M.S. in computer science is highly specialized and designed mostly for those students who pursued an undergraduate degree in computer science, information systems, or technology management. The program dives deeper into the topics discussed initially at the undergraduate level, teaching students more advanced computer programming languages and object-oriented concepts. Those enrolled in this program will also learn more advanced network deployment and security strategies, and they’ll focus significantly on emerging technologies and how to integrate them into existing environments. The degree can be earned in thesis or non-thesis varieties. For those students who opt not to write a highly researched thesis, a capstone project is required prior to graduation.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Students who opted to write a master’s thesis while studying computer science will be a natural fit for the UK doctoral degree in the field. Because this degree involves an extensive number of courses and even more research, it’s decidedly more theoretical and philosophical than either the B.S. or M.S. options at the institution. All students will pick a special area for their research, while taking courses that focus on the philosophy of tech adoption, design, and development, in numerous environments. Graduates will be equipped with the skills they need for high-level work in the field or a computer science teaching profession on a college campus.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Kentucky
Computer Science Department
Davis Marksbury Building
329 Rose Street
Lexington, KY 40506
Phone: (859) 257-3961
Email: info@cs.uky.edu
Website: http://www.cs.uky.edu

University of Louisville

J.B. Speed School of Engineering

While UK maintains its computer science programs within its College of Engineering, the programs at the University of Louisville actually put the two programs together in a combined degree program. Undergraduate and doctoral students will earn a combined degree in computer science and computer engineering, giving them a unique set of skills that might just be the most marketable in the state. Computer science professors focus on the theory of the high-tech world, teaching students the philosophy of computers and the theoretical nature of their role in the modern economy and workplace. The computer engineering side of the program focuses on creating computer programs, selecting hardware and developing custom systems, and leveraging modern technology to create highly secure computing environments for private users and corporations. Combined, these two areas of focus give students numerous career paths with local employers through internships, on-campus job fairs, and off-campus networking events.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science

While many schools combine their computer science and engineering departments, only a select few offer a combined degree in both fields. The B.S. in Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Louisville is one of the most unique and prestigious in the country for this reason and is an alternative to a computer science degree. Students will learn the basics of computer science: Programming, network administration, database use, software deployment, and ethical considerations. On the engineering side, they’ll learn how to build network servers and computer workstations. They’ll learn how to use programming skills to engineer software that can solve common business problems. By graduation, they’ll have a comprehensive set of skills that can design, deploy, and manage complex systems in today’s organizations. The engineering background in this program prepares students for graduate-level work in computer science, software engineering, systems engineering, and a variety of workplace positions in virtually all industries.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The M.S. in computer science builds on the bachelor degree program but focuses more on computing and the considerations that need to be made in large organizations. To that end, students in this graduate-level program will focus on the role of technology in both non-tech and high-tech industries. They’ll learn how to make sound decisions, from hardware to software, when helping businesses embrace emerging tech and connect their workers in new ways. To accomplish these goals, courses will cover everything from advanced, object-oriented programming, to things like cloud-based network security, advanced systems design, and big data administration. A thesis is optional, but is typically chosen by aspiring doctoral students. Those who opt not to complete a research-intensive thesis will still have to complete a final project in order to graduate. That project will be reviewed by Louisville’s computer science faculty members who will determine if the student should be recommended for completion of the program.

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering

Those with a graduate thesis can continue with their studies by opting for the Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering. This degree once again unites two popular fields, but teaches students more about the academic and philosophical side of the high-tech world. In courses taught by existing doctoral professors, students will learn why tech remains important in today’s organizations, where the industry is heading, and how both personal and organizational philosophies guide decisions relating to software, data collection, security, and workplace freedom. A significant emphasis is placed one engineering in this program as well. Doctoral candidates will learn about the interaction of engineering trades and computer science, specifically how programming and hardware design come together in a harmonious, high-tech ecosystem. A doctoral thesis is required; the thesis must be both presented and approved prior to graduation.

Accreditations

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Louisville
J.B. Speed School of Engineering
500 S. Preston St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 852-0468
Email: ahd@louisville.edu
Website: http://louisville.edu/speed/academics/departments/computer-engineering-and-computer-science.html

In a world where tech jobs seems to be nearly immune from the effects of broader economic recessions, the numerous degrees offered by Kentucky universities can give graduates a great chance at a long-term career in the field. Each of these accredited computer science degree programs in Kentucky offers students an excellent series of skills and opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, preparing them for virtually anything the industry has to offer today and over the next several decades.