Selecting which of the accredited computer science degree programs in Tennessee to attend can be something of a challenge. Finding the best program fit is important given how much college costs and what future prospects look like for those who attend. To ease the challenge and help in finding the one that best fits, the information below is offered. To see more accredited computer science degree programs in Tennessee, visit Computer Science Degree Programs in Tennessee (T-Z).

East Tennessee State University

College of Business and Technology

The College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in six departments: Accountancy; Computing; Economics & Finance; Engineering Technology, Surveying & Digital Media; Management & Marketing and Military Science. It does so with an eye towards improving regional economic and technical statuses through providing quality education and liaising with local and regional businesses, governments and communities. To assist with outreach, the College operates the Bureau of Business & Economic Research, the Center for Banking and the Tennessee 100% Business Development Center, making the College a regional focus.

Bachelor of Science in Computing, Concentration in Computer Science

The College, through the Department of Computing, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computing with a concentration in Computer Science. The degree focuses on preparing students for software development and graduate study. A minimum of 124 semester hours are required, including 41 of general education requirements. Major requirements include 33 hours of computing core courses (notably Introduction to Computer Science I and II, PC Setup and Maintenance, Student in University, Fundamentals of Database, Computer Organization, Software Engineering I and II, Netwokring Fundamentals, Information Security and Assurance, Probability & Statistics—which overlaps with general education requirements—and Math for Computer Science), 45 in the concentration (notably Assembly Language, UNIX Fundamentals, Data Structures, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra, an additional science class and nine hours of computer science electives) and 5 hours of free electives.

Master of Science in Computer and Information Science

The College also offers a Master of Science degree in Computer and Information Science in two concentrations: Applied Computer Science and Information Technology. Both require a total of 37 credits at the graduate level. Students in both concentrations take 10 credits in core courses: Software Systems Engineering, Software Project Management, Principles and Applications of Software Design and Research Methods in Computer Science. They also take 6 credits of electives from among graduate computer science classes and 9 in one of two capstone experiences: either Software Project Development I through III or Directed Research 1 and 2 and a thesis. Students in the Applied Computer Science concentration additionally take Topics in Distributed Systems, Software Verification and Validation, Database Design and Analysis of Algorithms. Those in Information Technology take Network and Information Security, E-Commerce Implementation, Enterprise and E-Business Integration and Enterprise Information Systems.

Accreditations

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

Contact
East Tennessee State University Dept. of Computing
PO Box 70711
Johnson City, TN 37614-1266
Phone: 423.439.5328
Email: batchels@etsu.edu
Website: http://www.cs.etsu.edu/

Middle Tennessee State University

College of Basic and Applied Sciences

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University is the largest of the school’s undergraduate colleges, enrolling more than 4,400 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels; nearly 700 earn degrees through the College each year. There are 16 undergraduate degrees on offer, as well as master-level and three interdisciplinary doctoral programs. Departments in the College include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Aerospace, Agriculture, Concrete Industry Management, Engineering Technology and Military Science; they employ more than 200 full-time faculty among them. Undergraduate research within the college is encouraged.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The College, through the Computer Science Department, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with two concentrations: professional and business applications. Both require 120 semester hours of coursework, of which at least 42 must be at the upper-division level. A minor is required. So are core courses in the program: Computer Science I and II, Discrete Structures, Advanced Data Structures, Introduction to Assembly Language, Operating Systems and Software Engineering. The professional concentration additionally requires Theory of Programming Languages, Computer Design and Software Development, 2 to 3 hours in a high-level programming language and 8 or 9 credits in computer science electives, in addition to general education and College requirements. The business applications concentration requires, in addition to general education and core program courses, Web Technologies, Database Management Systems, 9 hours of computer science electives (with 6 at the upper-division level) and a minor in either business administration or mathematics.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The College, through the Department, also offers a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. Two options are available: thesis (30 hours) and non-thesis (36), the latter of which requires a comprehensive examination. Courses available to students in the program include Microprocessor Operation and Control, Compiler Design and Software Development, Computer Graphics, Data Communication and Networks, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Robot Systems, Web Technologies, Data Base Management Systems, Software Engineering, Data Abstraction and Programming Fundamentals, Computer Systems Fundamentals, Analysis of Algorithms, Software Design and Development, Theory of Compilers, Advanced Operating Systems, Advanced Computer Graphics, Networks, Parallel Processing Concepts, Operating System Design and Research Methods in Computer Science. Selected topics classes in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Parallel Processing, Database and Software Engineering are also available. A 3-hour Thesis Research block is also offered for students in the thesis option. Specific course sequences will need to be discussed with an advisor.

Minor in Computer Science

The College additionally offers a 17-semester hour undergraduate minor in Computer Science through the Department. Students in the minor must take Computer Science I and II and 6 hours of upper-division Computer Science electives, chosen in consultation with a minor advisor. No more than three hours of coursework in such computer languages as C, FORTRAN, Java, Pascal, Smalltalk, UNIX, Visual and Python may be applied to the minor. The minor equips students from outside the major to perform basic software maintenance, making them better-equipped to enter the workforce in the fields for which their majors would normally suit them.

Accreditations

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (Bachelor’s degree)

Contact
306 Kirksey Old Main
1301 E. Main St., PO Box 48
Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0048
Phone: 615.898.2397
Email: cscbp@mtsu.edu
Website: http://www.mtsu.edu/csc/

Southern Adventist University

School of Computing

The School of Computing at Southern Adventist University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (with concentrations in Computer Science and Embedded Systems), a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Administration and a Master of Science in Computer Science. In each, the School seeks to integrate high-level major curricula with the Christ-centered institutional focus. To assist each, the School maintains three labs: a General Lab, and Advanced Lab and an Embedded Systems Lab.

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

The School offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science that seeks to offer a solid grounding in computer science skills to those seeking a more traditional liberal arts education, supplementing the skills of other disciplines in the interests of making graduates more marketable. It is specifically cited as being of value for teaching careers and multifaceted professions such as might be expected of music, English, history or other liberal arts students. In addition to coursework in the other disciplines and University general education requirements, students take 38 hours of coursework in computing and cognate courses. The latter include Calculus I, Statistics and Discrete Mathematical Structures. Computing courses include Digital Logic and Design; Computational Thinking for the Sciences; Fundamentals of Programming; Fundamentals of Software Design; Data Structures, Algorithms and Knowledge Systems; Database Management Systems; Operating Systems; Organization of Programming Languages and a senior seminar.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The School also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, following two concentrations: Computer Science and Embedded Systems. Both concentrations require 29 hours of computing core courses (Digital Logic and Design; Organization, Architecture and Assembly Language; Computational Thinking for the Sciences; Fundamentals of Programming and of Software Design; Data Structures, Algorithms and Knowledge Systems; Operating Systems; Senior Seminar and a Senior Project) and extensive cognates in mathematics and natural sciences (physics is required of the Embedded Systems concentration). The Computer Science Concentration additionally requires Introduction to Software Engineering, Database Management Systems, Organization of Programming Languages and 7 hours of computer electives (of which 3 must be at the upper-division level). The Embedded Systems Concentration requires Introduction to Signal Processing, Circuit Analysis, Microcontroller Design, Computer Interfacing and Principles of Networking, bespeaking more of an emphasis on hardware than is present in the Computer Science Concentration.

Accreditations

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (Bachelor of Science)

Contact
School of Computing
Southern Adventist University
P. O. Box 370
Collegedale, TN 37315-0370
Phone: 423.236.2871
Email: halterman@southern.edu
Website: https://www.southern.edu/cs/Pages/default.aspx

A computer science degree may be just what you need to get your career off to a great start or to take you to the next level. There are other programs available, both in the state and outside of it. Hopefully, however, the information provided above about accredited computer science degree programs in Tennessee will help with finding the best fit for future success.