overview

The computer science department educates students in a broad range of areas. Students take courses in the design and implementation of software systems and the algorithms (problem solving techniques) used to solve “real world” problems in business, industry, and engineering or as preparation for graduate study. Students are given both the depth and breadth of computer science so necessary to keep them competitive in today(s) fast-changing world. While instruction and research are on the leading edge of computing, the department endeavors to promote proactive teaching practices and effective interactions between the students and faculty.

In addition to computer science courses, the department(s) undergraduate program requires students to be educated in a broad range of general education courses. All computer science seniors are expected to take the capstone course that gives them “real world” experience working in teams composed of fellow students. These teams design, implement, test, and maintain actual software systems. (The sample curriculum shown below provides more detail.

The computer science faculty has a broad range of scholarly interests which include computer security and privacy, databases and wireless systems, intelligent systems (artificial intelligence, machine learning, evolutionary computation), data mining, parallel and distributed processing, software engineering, computer networks, computer vision, mobile and pervasive computing, computational science, and algorithms. The research being done in these areas involves both undergraduates and graduates and supports the department’s crosscutting areas of excellence: big data, critical infrastructure protection, cyber physical systems, and smart computing. Faculty are not only actively doing research in these areas; they integrate their research experiences into the classroom.

Computer science graduates from Missouri S&T work in a variety of environments. Some work for large companies, others prefer smaller companies. Many of our graduates have started their own companies. Regardless of their choice of employment, Missouri S&T computer science graduates are in high demand as evidenced by the number of companies that specifically recruit our graduates