This article, which will benefit students seeking a degree in computer sciences and technologies, lists accredited computer science degree programs in Louisiana. The schools outlined in the listing vary in size and in learning styles. One of the schools, although it is mid-sized, delivers a small-town secure atmosphere. Another is at the frontier of innovation and houses well-known super computers and research programs. Students should thoroughly investigate the personalities of the schools they are considering because being comfortable in a learning arena makes the success of the student more probable. To see more accredited computer science degree programs in Louisiana, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in Louisiana (N-Z).

Grambling State University

College of Arts and Sciences

This university was founded in 1901; the goal of the institution is to “provide excellence in teaching, research and public service,” and to prepare students for lifelong learning. Another focus of the program of this accredited computer science degree program in Louisiana is to teach students how to be effective communicators, orally and through the written word. Graduates should be able to make rational decisions in the social, ethical, and legal environment in which a problem exists, and apply algorithms, mathematical principles, and computer science in problem solving.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences

This 120 credit- hour program integrates a liberal arts education with a strong foundation in computer science. The first year a student takes humanities courses as well as basic fundamental “building block” courses for his major. Classes in the second year are more advanced math and science classes as well as other liberal arts material. In the junior year a serious study of algorithms and linear algebra is introduced along with statistics and programming. By the last two years the courses are heavy in mathematics. The senior student is expected to complete a capstone project, finish non-major electives and add a foreign language proficiency to the educational profile if he/she has not already taken the language courses. In-state tuition for six hours is $1,117.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of the Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • ABET

Contact
College of Arts and Sciences
Box 4260
Grambling State University
403 Main St.
Grambling, LA. 71245
318-274-2421
ybreddy@gram.edu
http://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/arts%20and%20sciences/departments/compsci/

Louisiana State University

College of Engineering

The university was founded in 1860 and is ranked in the first tier of US News and World Report’s Best National Universities. It began to advance its engineering programs shortly after its inception and opened the doors of the College of Engineering in 1908. Its mission is to impart learning skills to the students and to generate new knowledge and innovations to better the lives of humanity. The facility has state-of-the-art labs and learning resources. The university merged the college of engineering and the college of computer sciences in 2012 with the hope that they would achieve the best of both programs, and allow students to access classes in both disciplines.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The goal of this degree is to instill skills—both theoretical and practical—into student abilities so that they can solve complex problems with computers and work in a fast-changing and competitive field. Students entering this college must meet general university requirements for admission. During the freshman and sophomore years the focus is on the liberal arts component of the education with the added introduction of computer fundamentals. Concentration and advanced classes are introduced in the junior and senior years. There are “Critical” required classes as well as major courses and electives. In semester one the “Critical” classes is a fundamental math course. There is a required higher math class, an English composition class and biology during the second semester. In the natural sciences offerings, students are required by ABET to complete two labs. Seniors complete a capstone project and must have taken 15 credit hours outside of the computer science major to qualify for graduation from this 120 credit-hour program.

Computer Science Minor

The purpose of earning a minor in computer science is not to obtain a position in programming or systems analysis. Students with majors outside computer sciences or even outside of the science discipline can enrich their educations and become more marketable to employers by adding the minor to their degrees. This program requires 21 credit hours. It includes the fundamentals of algorithms and structured programming. There are five required courses as well as three hours of computer science electives in 300 series classes or above. The program provides “basic proficiency” in computer science. It focuses on programming methodology, computer organization, math skills, data structures, labs and programming projects and algorithms.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

This degree program is for those who want to follow research career pathways. The degree is a response to the growing need for computer scientists in both theoretical and applied specialties. Upon admission to the program, students are assigned faculty advisors who will assess the needs of their career paths and assist them in designing their degree programs. The first year of the doctoral program most students take three or more core classes and electives. The second year, doctoral students enroll in their remaining core classes and do research and seminar courses. Students get their first attempt at passing the qualifying exam in their third year, as well as fulfilling the university expectation of writing for publication. The last year is spent in research and in organizing and writing the dissertation.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges
  • ABET

Contact
College of Engineering
3127 Patrick F. Taylor Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-3184
brenner@csc.lsu.edu
http://www.eecs.lsu.edu/

Louisiana State University at Shreveport

College of Arts and Sciences

This school stresses analytical skills and is heavily dependent upon mathematical foundations. There are six full-time teaching faculty members in the school as well as adjunct faculty and an administrator. The university is of average size with a student population of 4,562. Tuition is $3,882 per semester. This is a master’s college, which means that a substantial proportion of the degrees they award are master’s degrees. Although 94% of students receive financial aid and the student-to-teacher ratio is low (22-1), only 20 % of students graduate in six years.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The focus of this accredited computer science degree program in Louisiana is teaching computer-based technologies that are used in virtually every segment of contemporary culture. There are both “Core” and “Domain” classes. The school encourages students to investigate taking “Business Environments” or “Network Security” domain classes. The degree prepares students for a variety of positions in the computer technology field, pointing out that after a few years of experience as computer programmers’, many people move on to become systems analysts. The program includes 41 hours of general education, 46 hours of major courses, 16 hours of general electives and 15 additional class hours to total 120 credit hours. Because of ABET standards, all students are required to take two science labs and freshman must complete a required orientation seminar.

Minor in Computer Science

People who pursue a minor in computer science desire to “flesh out” their resumes with marketable skills. These minors are valuable in social and behavioral science degrees as well as in engineering and math professions because almost all information is digitally stored and retrieved. In addition, things like public health programs and businesses are globally administered, making vital the production of people studied in computer language. This 21-credit hour minor involves a required computer literacy course or a fluency in mathematics class as well as other computer classes and six hours of other electives in higher level courses.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • ABET

Contact
College of Arts and Sciences
Louisiana State University @Shreveport
318-795-4265
leslie.fife@lsus.edu
http://www.lsus.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/school-of-mathematics-and-sciences/department-of-computer-science

Louisiana Technical University

College of Engineering and Science

This college is home to “The Painter” (Linux) and “Bluedawg” super computers. The school boasts world-class instructors and learning resources for cutting-edge research. The school has an innovative freshman program called “Living With the Lab” that delivers an experiential learning experience to first-year engineering students and several research opportunities to engage students. It solicits industry participation for internships, funding and advisory positions. Although the school has 11,743 enrolled, students claim there is a “small-town feel’ to the university and its colleges. Tuition is $13,399 per year.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Because computer science is “basically the study of algorithms and the data structures upon which they operate,” this school builds a strong math foundation into its degrees. Each student gets a broad general education in math, science and the humanities and an in-depth study of computing, including both hardware and software design and application. The degree program leads to further education at the master’s level or to entry-level industry positions. The 120 credit-hour program focuses on the fundamentals of computer principles to ensure that graduates will be able to adapt their skills to an ever-changing technical field and remain competitive. Along with the computer science major, the school requires a chosen minor. It recommends Cyber Security, Graphics and Game Design or Biometrics as minors. Students must complete courses with a “C” grade or greater to graduate.

Minor in Computer Science

This program augments many other degrees in several disciplines. There are 21 credit hours in the program consisting of five requisite courses and six hours of higher-level electives. The five required courses are: an introduction to computers and an overview of computer science, an introduction to computer programming and data structure, and an intermediate class in computers. There is also a required advanced algorithms and data structures class. People who complete this minor should not expect to be prepared to assume a position in computer programming. This minor is intended to give individuals a grasp of information technology and how computers are used to solve complex problems. The minor, listed on a resume, gives applicants an advantage in job interviews.

Master in Computer Science

This degree has two paths: a 30- unit thesis path or a 36- unit non-thesis path. The school strongly recommends the thesis path. The thesis program consists of four core courses, four electives and two thesis units. The non-thesis track is four core classes and eight electives. The required core classes (the same for both tracks) are: Advanced Analysis of Algorithms and Complexity, Advanced Computer Architecture, Advanced Topics in Software Engineering and Research Methods. The chosen electives must be approved by an advisor. There are assistantships available, but preference for these positions is given to students following the thesis track for their master’s degrees. At least 21 credit hours must be earned in courses open only to graduate students.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges
  • ABET

Contact
College of Engineering and Science
Louisiana Tech University
305 Wisteria St.
Rushton, LA 71272
318-257-4195
choi@latech.edu
http://coes.latech.edu/computer-science/ms-computer-science.php

McNeese State University

College of Engineering

This school was founded in 1939, but the College of Engineering wasn’t established until 1922. The university has 8,941 students. There are 11 faculty members in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences who deliver a profession-based education to the students. Programs are tailored for the traditional and the non-traditional student. Among other concepts stressed by the school are interdisciplinary teamwork and ethics. The student-friendly department is practice and experientially focused. While the emphasis is on preparing students to enter the professional field, there is also a push to see graduates go on to master’s degree programs.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The goal of this 120 credit-hour degree program is to turn out competent professionals in the computer technology field and, because the educational standard for professionals has become the master’s degree, prepare students to enter graduate study. There are 75 hours of social sciences, mathematics, composition and public speaking, a required freshman orientation class and introduction to computer sciences and analysis. There are also 45 hours of general concentration courses. Students must earn 25 percent of semester hours in residence at the school, including the last 30 hours. Among the liberal arts classes, students must take three hours in a foreign language above introductory level, philosophy, religious studies, history or literature. Because McNeese State University is currently revamping many of its course listings, the school recommends students check frequently with the catalog and requisites.

Minor in Computer Science

The minor in computer science is intended to give students in other disciplines, including the arts and social sciences, a broad general background in computer technology and problem-solving. Students who earn the minor do not expect to work in computer programming or in systems analysis; they are only interested in enriching and broadening their resumes. The minor may take an applied or a general tack. Students choose from two groups of classes. The first group is the general concentration, containing introductory courses in computer science and computer organization, data structures and object design as well as operating systems. The second set is the applied concentration. Courses focus on programming and software engineering. The minor consists of 18 credit hours.

Accreditation

  • The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges
  • ABET

Contact
College of Engineering
McNeese State University
4205 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605
337-475-5854
becs@mcneese.edu
http://catalog.mcneese.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=6&ent_oid=180&returnto=189

Technology is changing at a rapid pace and tomorrow’s innovations are built on today’s strong principles. An understanding of the power of technology and of the ethics involved in the digital storage, manipulation and retrieval of digital information is vital. Most of the programs listed offer similar content; the difference is in the character of the delivery. The school websites are the most effective showcases of these accredited computer science degree programs in Louisiana.