Overview & Fast Facts

Overview and Fast Facts

Computer Science is the study of theory and practice of computation. A computer scientist creates new hardware and software that is more efficient, effective, and reliable. At SUNY Brockport, the Advanced Computing (AC) and the Software Development (SD) Tracks of the Computer Science (CSC) major attempt to train students in lasting fundamental principles of computing, with appropriate exposure to modern hardware/software products and applications. Computer Information Systems, on the other hand, is the study of the use of computers for systematic organization of data that supports efficient and accurate collection, processing, analysis, and retrieval of information. An information system specialist applies existing technology to solve real world problems. At Brockport, the Computer Information Systems (CIS) major attempts to train students in state-of-the-art computing technology, applications and business practices, with appropriate exposure to underlying fundamentals. Thus, Computer Science (CSC) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) courses offered by the department are somewhat complementary in their focus of study.

Advanced Computing (AC) Track of the Computer Science Major

The Advanced Computing Track of the Computer Science major is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The emphasis is on computer problem solving and the development of new software and hardware.

Requirements: 48 credits of computer science (computer programming, computer organization, programming languages, algorithms and data structures, operating systems, software engineering, theory of computation, etc.); 15 credits of mathematics (calculus, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics); 8 credits of physical sciences (physics, chemistry, etc.); 25 credits of humanities, social sciences and fine arts. This track is recommended for students with a strong preparation in mathematics and science.

Typical job titles: Computer Programmer, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Software Security Specialist, Software Quality Assurance Engineer, and Web Developer.

Software Development (SD) Track of the Computer Science Major

The curriculum is based on national models such as ACM-78 published by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and its subsequent revisions (CC 2001). The emphasis is on computer problem solving and the development of new software and hardware.

Requirements: 48 credits of computer science (computer programming, computer organization, programming languages, algorithms and data structures, etc.); 11 credits of mathematics (calculus, discrete mathematics). The requirement for the software development track is a subset of the requirement for the AC Track. This track is recommended for transfer students and double majors with interest in software development.

Typical job titles:Computer Applications Programmer, Network/Database Administrator, Software Tester, and Web Developer.

Computer Information Systems (CIS) Major

The Computer Information Systems major is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The emphasis is on the use of computers in an organization to increase effectiveness and efficiency.

Requirements: 49 credits of computer and information science (computer programming, information technology hardware and software, systems analysis, databases, networks, project management, etc.); 7 credits of mathematics (statistics, discrete mathematics); 15 credits of information systems environment; 32 credits of humanities, social sciences and fine arts. This track is recommended for students with a strong interest in business applications of computing.

Typical job titles: Database Designer, IT Support, Network Administrator, Project Manager, Security Specialist, Systems Analyst, and Web Designer.

What Kinds of Work Environments are Typical?

  • Colleges/Schools/Government
  • Computer Hardware Companies
  • Computer Software Companies
  • Internet Companies
  • IT divisions of Business
  • Training Companies

What Transferable Skills can I Learn from this Major?

  • Ability to organize, analyze and interpret
  • Ability to make critical observations
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving/troubleshooting skills
  • Technical skills
  • Testing ideas/hypotheses

Where have Brockport Students Gone with this Major?

  • Internships
    • Amazon, Calero Software LLC, dunnhumby, Eastman Kodak, Excellus BCBS, Google, Kodak Alaris, Paychex, Sutherland Groups, Thomson Reuters, TIAA, University of Rochester, Wegmans, Windstream Communications, Xerox, Yahoo
  • Employment
    • Amazon, Calero Software LLC, dunnhumby, Eastman Kodak, Excellus BCBS, Google, Harris, Heartland School Solutions, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Paychex, Redcom, SRC, Thomson Reuters, TIAA, University of Rochester, Wegmans, Xerox, Yahoo
  • Graduate Programs
    • SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, Cornell, Drexel, George Mason, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA), University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC), Purdue, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Texas (Austin, TX)

Fast Facts (as of Spring 2020)

  • 8 full-time faculty members; 6 with doctoral degrees, two with MS in Computer Science
  • 2 new full-time faculty members with doctoral degrees to join in Fall 2020.
  • 6 part-time faculty members
  • 201 majors
  • 58 students graduated in 2019-2020
  • Small class size; lower-level classes 30-40 and upper-level classes 10-20
  • Student team participated at the ACM Northeast Programming Contest at Hamilton College (2019)
  • Two students published papers in conference proceedings (2020)
  • One students presented paper at National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) - 2020
  • Two students presented a poster at the conference organized by the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges - North East (CCSCNE) - 2020
  • Four students presented at SUNY Brockport’s Scholar’s Day event (2020)
  • Alumni Placement (for the graduating class of 2019, based on the survey done in 2020)
    • 19% (CSC) & 6% (CIS) response rate;
    • 88% (CSC) & 100% (CIS) placement;
    • 88% (CSC) & 100% (CIS) employed;
    • Job titles: System Analyst, Support Analyst, Field Service Technician, Software Engineer, Software Developer, Software Engineer, ServiceNow Developer, etc.
    • Places of employment: Excellus BCBS, Kelly Services, BAE Systems, Paychex, Curbell Inc., Corning Incorporated, Monro Inc., SRC, Northrop Grumman, etc.