Idaho students who are considering a career in the computer and information technology field may be interested in a list of accredited computer science degree programs in Idaho. Some of the programs are heavily focused on faculty/student mentorships and collaboration. As with many other professions, a bachelor’s degree opens the door to entry-level positions or to graduate study. Students who combine their bachelor’s degrees in computer science with business or other minors make themselves more attractive to employers who see that added expertise on their resumes. All of the course paths rely on a firm math foundation because math is the language of computers.

Boise State University

College of Engineering

Boise State University was listed in the “US News and World Report” Best Schools. It was number 65 of Regional Western Universities in the Top School List. The school has a cooperative association with area businessmen and they integrate the needs of the businesses as well as the students when assigning internships. The faculty of the Boise State College of Engineering, which comes from varied disciplines like environmental engineering and microelectronics, is active in soliciting grant money for research and other school needs. The school recruits advisory board members from the industry for support and guidance.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

This 120 credit degree program requires courses in computer programming languages, algorithms, data structure and statistics among other computer classes. Students must complete the required university-wide requisites in liberal arts education including English composition, natural sciences, behavioral sciences, the humanities and math. Math is the language with which we communicate with computer systems and it is extremely important in this major. There are foundational computer science classes upon which the rest of the program is built, and required classes and electives in the major. Students enrolled in the school’s “Finish in Four” program are assisted in planning a path of study through the major that allows them to graduate in four years. If the student adheres to the program and does not achieve this, the university absorbs the cost of the tuition beyond the four year period.

Minor in Computer Science

The minor program in computer sciences will not equip students to obtain positions as programmers. Instead, it will give them knowledge of how computers work and how operating systems are set up so that they can understand the information systems in their own professional areas. Because computer literacy has become vital in virtually all professions, a job applicant with a basic knowledge of computer science is more desirable than one who must be trained in the technology used in global industries. The 21 credit program includes Computer Science I and II, Introduction to Computer Programming, Data Structures, Calculus I and Discrete Math.

Master of Science in Computer Science

Students need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a degree in a like field with many ancillary computer classes to be admitted to this program. This is a 30 hour degree path that includes 21 to 27 credits in computer science plus a “culminating activity.” Students in this program must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA every semester. The degree must be completed within five years. The “Culminating Project” may be a thesis or a project that is presented as a formal paper. Thesis classes are planned to afford students time to work on research and study for the project during their degree path.

Accreditation

  • Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities

Contact
College of Business and College of Science and Engineering Joint Program
Boise State University
1900 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-2055
208-426-5766
office@csboisestate.edu
http://coen.boisestate.edu/cs/

Idaho State University

College of Business

This Carnegie-classified school merged with the engineering school to jointly award the computer science degree. It is housed in both departments. Students can take classes from either to give them a competence in business and business communication through information systems. The faculty-to-student ratio is 14 to 1 and the faculty has an average of more than 15 years of teaching experience. Eighty-five percent hold doctoral degrees. The school’s two core principles in their educational theories are Learning and Discovery and Access and Opportunity.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The objectives of this program are to give students an awareness of their social and ethical responsibilities, to make them life-long learners and to give them knowledge and skills to allow them to become computer scientists. Graduates of the program have a diverse selection of professions beyond computer programming. They might enter law school and become patent attorneys or they could minor in business and get their MBA in five years. That degree would enable them to work in many arenas. Students in this 120 credit hour program must complete the university-required general education (or liberal arts) education classes. They must also take 31 plus credit hours in math and hard science classes, 40 credits in computer science and six electives. Depending upon the student’s career goal, the professor and the supervisory committee may approve classes from another discipline to satisfy some of the elective requirements.

Accreditations

  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • ABET, Inc.

Contact
College of Business
Idaho State University
9215 8th Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83201
208-282-3448
hooksusa@isu.edu
http://www.isu.edu/cob/

University of Idaho

College of Science and Engineering

This school was rated by the US News and World Report as number 161 for Best Schools in the Nation. Its engineering and business programs were both given accolades as well. The college is rated “Vet-Friendly” as well. It is divided into seven units including Bio-Sciences, Geologic Sciences, Chemistry, Math and Physics, Computer Science, and the School of Engineering. One of the unique aspects of the school is the collaboration between departments which allows students to take classes from several disciplines. The College of Science and Engineering awards three Computer Science degrees: BS, MS and PhD.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

This 128 credit hour program results in high job placement rates for the department, with an average beginning salary of $60 thousand. Students partner with business people who bring their real-life enigmas into the classroom so that the students may assist in solving them. They resolve actual working problems not lab simulations. There are also major research projects taking place at the university with which students may assist. As most universities require, students must successfully complete liberal arts classes to qualify for graduation. These classes, however, are sprinkled throughout the program and not just clumped at the beginning, allowing students to take more of their concentration classes immediately.

Master of Science in Computer Science

This program can take either a “thesis” or “non-thesis” track. The goal of the degree path is to produce graduates who not only work in the computer sciences but advance them. Students obtain knowledge to identify computer systems obstacles, present them and overcome them. A graduation record examination is required to be admitted to the degree program as well as an undergraduate 3.0 GPA. There is a minimum of 30 credit hours required for the degree, including thesis courses; however non-thesis tack students may not count thesis credits toward their requisites. Eighteen credit hours of the program must be at the 500 (upper) level or above. The student’s professor and an advisory board assist the student in planning his degree path to make sure the right classes are taken in the right sequence.

PhD in Computer Science

This degree requires 78 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, 51 of which must be in at least 500 series (upper level) classes. The degree path is sculpted through consultation with a professor and an advisory committee. Besides the concentration classes there is a breadth requirement which ensures that graduates have a deep understanding of the material in context. Graduation requires one full semester of teaching experience as well. There is no foreign language requisite but students must be in residence at the university for at least two terms to allow them access to resources while they work on their required dissertations.

Accreditations

  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools
  • Computing Education Commission of ABET.

Contact
College of Science and Engineering
Janssen Engineering Building Room 236
University of Idaho
709 South Deakin Street
Moscow, ID 83840
208-885-6592
csinfo@uidaho.edu
https://majors.boisestate.edu/computer-science

This compilation of computer programs will give prospective students an idea of which school would be the best fit for them. The best advice is to study the school websites and check their learning formats to find one that is compatible with the student’s own personality. The information presented in this list of computer science degree programs in Idaho will present a starting place for such a study.