Finding accredited computer science degree programs in California reveals the choice of several lauded institutions of higher learning across the state. Students may choose to attend school for computer science near tech centers like Silicon Valley or around the southern California area where new tech companies have started to set up residence in places like Santa Monica. California is an extraordinarily large state that offers everything for everyone. Beaches along the coast suit every type of personality as well as ample recreational opportunities inland along the Sierra Nevada mountain range. California is a state of extremes and offers an incredible experience for anyone in school or after it. To see more accredited computer science degree programs in California, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in California (T-Z) and Computer Science Degree Programs in California (California State University).

California Institute of Technology

Division of Engineering and Applied Science

The exclusive California Institute of Technology, commonly referred to by locals as Caltech, is located in Pasadena, which is east of Downtown Los Angeles. The college emphasises learning in the areas of science and engineering and is a smallish (124-acre) campus. The school was originally founded as a vocational school and prep school in the late 1800s, but it was modified into a college in the 1920s. Although there are only a few thousand students at Caltech at any given time, alumni have been the recipients of an astounding 33 Nobel Prizes.

Undergraduate Major in Computer Science (B.S.)

Students who enroll in the bachelor’s degree program in computer science must be prepared for a rigorous curriculum as well as be prepared to engage in a creative type of problem solving. Graduation from the program offers students the opportunity to enter a variety of professional and technical jobs and even take part in various entrepreneurial opportunities. Students are given a foundation of engineering and mathematics and are expected to complete a capstone project by graduation that will demonstrate knowledge in a variety of areas of computer science and modern technology.

Graduate Degree in Computer Science (M.S.)

Upon reaching the graduate level, students will engage in research designed to prepare students for research at the doctoral level. Students aren’t admitted to the program unless it is their aim to continue on in the Ph.D. tract after graduation. Students who have already taken classes at the graduate level may be able to transfer certain classes as part of the graduate curriculum and must talk to an advisor about such transfers. Students must complete the classes required of the graduate program within two years in order to move on to research at the Ph.D. level.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

For students who want to obtain the Doctor of Philosophy degree in computer science at Caltech, it’s necessary to complete the MS program in advance of admittance. Students must already have an idea about where they’d like to study within the realm of computer science and faculty must approve a projected study tract before students may begin studying for their Ph.D. Students will need to pass a comprehensive examination on the subject of computer science as well as craft and defend a standard dissertation. The dissertation must be approved by at least four members of the Caltech faculty.

Accreditations

  • ABET
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

California Institute of Technology
Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
1200 E. California Blvd., MS 305-16
Pasadena, CA 91125
Phone: 626.395.4560
info@cms.caltech.edu
http://www.cms.caltech.edu/

Loyola Marymount University

Frank R. Seaver College of Science & Engineering

Loyola Marymount University is part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is one of 28 such institutions. The college’s first students were part of a school called St. Vincent’s College, which was founded in 1865. Loyola Marymount would be formed in 1911. The school is located in a picturesque section of Los Angeles overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a vast wetlands from its perch on a wide bluff above the nature preserve. Loyola also has a law school called Loyola Law School, which is located in downtown Los Angeles.

B.S. degree in Computer Science

The bachelor’s degree program in computer science at LMU is a mixture of traditional classroom learning and laboratory experiments. Topics covered include common computer science subjects like algorithms, data structures, and programming systems. Students must obtain 124 semester hours to graduate. 29 of the classes required are lower division and 38 of those classes are upper division. In addition, students will choose a set of electives designed to support common types of employment associated with computer science jobs. Students may choose to focus on games and animation, mathematics, or scientific computing, among other specialization choices.

Minor in Computer Science

Obtaining a minor in computer science is helpful for any job that may require work with a computer, and it’s a great way for students to enhance their job prospects with great additions to a resume. A minor in computer science at Loyola Marymount requires completing a few courses at the lower level, as well as a few upper division courses. Students who have an interest in computers and would like to enhance jobs such as project managers, writing, and anything where work on the internet or with programs might be involved would benefit from a computer science minor.

Accreditations

  • ABET
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

1 LMU Drive
Doolan Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: 310.338.7351
rplumb@lmu.edu
http://www.cs.lmu.edu/

Santa Clara University

School of Engineering

As a Jesuit University, Santa Clara has a long history and has been in the same location since 1851, when it was founded. The campus sits near the Mission Santa Clara de Asis, which is a very old site of European settlement in the area. There are several bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees offered at the college and there are just over 8,500 students attending school. The school has a very active sports program and is well-known for successful soccer teams for the men and women as well as a solid program of men’s basketball.

B.S. in Computer Science

The undergraduate degree in Computer Science requires a number of core classes as well as classes designed to emphasize important comp-sci concepts. Students will take a variety of courses like Introduction to Computer Science, which features lessons on the C++ programming language, as well as classes on Object-oriented Programming, and Data Structures. Students can also choose to emphasize on cryptography and security as part of their degree tract and will take classes like Cryptography, Computer Networks, and Computer Networks as part of that specialization.

Minor in Computer Science

To obtain a minor in Computer Science, students must take six lower division courses and three upper-division courses. Courses included in this minor include Introduction to Computer Science, Calculus II (or Discrete Mathematics), and Computer Engineering. A the upper-division level, courses required may be chosen from a variety of courses in computer science, math, combinatorics, and graph theory. The department cooperates with other schools within the college to make it easy for students of any major to obtain a minor in computer science.

M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering

The master’s program at Santa Clara is designed as a 5-year program and at the end of study a student will have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science. In most cases, students will start to take graduate level classes before they have obtained a bachelor’s degree. Getting the master’s degree requires completion of at least 45 credits above and beyond the level of undergraduate study. Electives taken by students may include several courses in computer engineering which will also satisfy some of the requirements of the undergraduate degree.

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering

The doctoral program in computer science and engineering at Santa Clara is focused upon proving a student’s ability to solve engineering problems without the help of faculty and to provide coherent research on important topics. The degree requires research as well as a thesis based upon the results of that research. Classes required include engineering, mathematics, and various classes on the physical sciences. The department must approve the work done by students and doctoral candidates are supervised by faculty in the School of Engineering.

Accreditations

  • ABET
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

Santa Clara University
School of Engineering
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Phone: 408.554.4600
Fax: 408.554.5474
gradengineering@scu.edu
http://www.scu.edu/math/

Stanford University

School of Engineering

Established in 1891, Stanford University is a private research institution and sits in northwestern Silicon Valley. The college was originally founded by a railroad tycoon and his wife in memory of their son who died of typhoid when he was a teenager. Students didn’t have to pay tuition until the 1930s, but the college struggled financially for several years and was damaged by the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. There are almost 16,000 students in attendance at the undergraduate and graduate level at Stanford.

B.S. in Computer Science

The computer science division has been in existence since 1965 and as such provides one of the most respected programs in the country on the topic. The university is a leader in research and education and is also conveniently located in the tech powerhouse of Silicon Valley. One of the strengths of the program in Computer Science at Stanford is the level of research and discovery offered to students during their time at the college. The college also provides ample opportunity for students to find internships during study.

Minor in Computer Science

Successful graduation from Stanford with a minor in Computer Science requires students to maintain a 2.0 in all coursework related to the minor. Students are required to take Linear Algebra and Differential Calculus of Several Variables as a prerequisite for the class and are also required to take three different core classes within Computer Science. If students are admitted to the college with Advanced Placement courses, some of those classes might be used to satisfy the requirement of an Introductory Programming class for the minor.

M.S. in Computer Science

Students who wish to obtain a graduate degree in Computer Science aren’t required to already have a bachelor’s degree in the discipline. There are several classes that students must take in order to complete the requirements for entry into the program; however, a full degree in Computer Science isn’t necessary. The college also offers some programs to students who would like to take master’s level classes without initially enrolling in the program. Students who need financial assistance may also want to consider working as a TA or RA, which will reduce the tuition costs required.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

It is advisable that students coming into the Ph.D. program at Stanford already have an idea about where they’d like to research and specialize during their time of study. Students enter the program with a class and seminar that gives each doctoral student a chance to speak to the faculty and other students about their plans for research and focus. Ph.D. students are exposed to several different research groups during the first year of study and slowly refine goals and specialization as time passes. Students also receive a stipend once they are eligible for candidacy, but must finish study within five years.

Accreditations

  • ABET
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

Computer Science Department
353 Sierra Mall
Stanford University, CA 94305
Phone: 605.723.2273
Fax: 650.725.7411
admissions@cs.stanford.edu
http://www-cs.stanford.edu/

California is a terrific state for education and it’s also a great place to seek out a degree in computer science. As the home of Silicon Valley and so many famous tech firms like Apple, Google, and others, California is a prime spot for students who wish to study computer science and be right in the thick of potential employers. Fortunately for students, there are several lauded and respected accredited computer science degree programs in California from which to choose.