Computer Science Degrees Offered at Indiana University-Bloomington
Indiana University – Bloomington appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Since it first opened its doors in 1820, Indiana University-Bloomfield (IU) has always been at the forefront in education. The first class of ten students did not know that they started a tradition of excellence that IU fostered generation by generation as the country and its people advanced from age to age. The embrace of technological advances at IU began in 1968 when the university started offering classes in the use and programming of computers. Since those opening rounds in an engagement with computer technology, IU has grown a reputation for innovation and leadership in computing research and education. To address the ever-changing and mercurial realm of computer science, the university offers major and minor degrees for undergraduates and master or doctoral degrees for graduate students.
The first step into understanding the commitment IU has made to computer science is to look at the possible minors in the field that students who are not pursuing a computer science major can enjoy. An undergraduate in another area of study can choose to add a Minor in Computer Science or a Minor in Information Technology to their degree by taking 12-hours of required upper-division computer classes. IU chose to permit this advantage for students in recognition of the importance computer technology will play in the future of every IU graduate.
A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at IU requires a total of 120 semester credits of study. The undergraduate seeking this degree can choose to specialize in one of seven different areas. The choice includes:
- Artificial intelligence
- Data Science
- Foundations
- Programming languages
- Security
- Software engineering
- Systems
Specializing in one of these areas gives the graduate of IU an advantage in the workplace as they are considered accomplished experts in the field before they begin working.
The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science is geared for undergraduates who wish to study liberal arts along with computer science. The degree allows a student to seek a double major or to add liberal arts minor to their degree. Graduates with this degree in hand are equipped with a deep understanding and knowledge of computers and how they work and enhanced communication and leadership skills, which many employers want to see added to their workforce.
Other bachelor degrees related to computer science but that are more focused on a specific field are:
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Bachelor of Science in Informatics
- Bachelor of Science in Intelligent Systems Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Statistics
IU offers an opportunity for those undergraduate students who wish to finish graduate-level studies quickly. IU calls it an Accelerated Master of Science in Computer Science. The program allows undergraduates to add masters-level classes to their curriculum. The program takes an extra year to finish, but the student graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Science simultaneously.
IU recognized the increased demand for cybersecurity early on and created a 12-credit hour program to address these issues. The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity focuses on the design, implementation, and management of cybersecurity systems.
Graduates of IU’s Master of Science in Computer Science find highly paid employment almost immediately after attaining their degree. The program is composed of 36-credit hours of study and covers every facet of the computer industry, from software libraries to computer programming and operating systems to computer system hardware. Over 95 percent of these graduates find life-sustaining employment within the first six months after receiving their degree.
The Master of Science in Secure Computing satisfies the fastest-growing field within the computer science community. The degree is a leap above the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity. Power plants, banks, election boards, and every business and person using the Internet needs a proper defense against cyber fraud. Students who obtain this degree from IU are in the most demand throughout the country and the highest paid in the IT world. Other masters-level degrees offered at IU include a Master of Science in Bioinformatics and the Dual Master of Science in Secure Computing and Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies.
IU also offers a Ph. D. in Computer Science. The degree prepares graduates to work in areas of computer research, industrial innovation, and academia. The program focuses on the future of the computing world. Students perform analysis into new theoretical frontiers. The courses question the existence of the virtual world and force the student to exercise control over an ever-evolving science that demands new applications of theory and science to solve traditional and futuristic issues.
About Indiana University-Bloomington
IU started in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1820. Today the university at Bloomington is the flagship campus of an educational institution that includes seven campuses and two regional centers within the state of Indiana. IU is famous for its diversity in its student body, its faculty, and its educational opportunities. From music to theater, chemistry to computer science, history, and creative thought, the IU curriculum is one of the most inclusive found in the country.
IU is constantly ranked among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation. In 2020, US News & World Report compared IU to over 1,600 other schools and ranked IU as number 79 on its list of Top National Universities, 48th on the list of Best Universities for Veterans, and the 140th on the list of Best Value Schools. US News & World Report also ranks IU’s Social Psychology Graduate Program as 2nd in the nation. The publication also ranks five of IU’s graduate programs as 1st in the nation. Those graduate programs that rank first in the nation are:
- Nonprofit Management
- Environmental Policy and Management
- Public Affairs
- Online MBA Program
- Folklore and Ethnomusicology Doctoral Program, National Research Council
Indiana University-Bloomington Accreditation Details
IU has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for the overall school. Some colleges and divisions within the university are further accredited by:
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAAASLP)
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CELPA)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Indiana University-Bloomington Application Requirements
To be admitted to IU as a freshman, a student must submit an unopened official high school transcript reflection a minimum GPA of 3.00. To demonstrate the competition, the average GPA of the freshman class of 2018 was 3.25. SAT scores in the 1200s or ACT scores of 21 or higher is recommended. To be considered for acceptance, a high school transcript must show completion of:
- Eight semester credits of English
- Seven credits of mathematics
- Six credits of social sciences
- Six credits of sciences
- Four credits of world languages
- Three or more credits of additional college preparation courses
Those applying to enter graduate-level courses must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school. Most departments require a GRE score, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from every post-secondary institution the applicant has attended. Applicants for graduate programs should check with the respective department to finalize the admission requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The tuition and required fee cost for in-state undergraduates at IU are $10,948 per year. Out-of-state undergraduates pay $36,512 per year. Other costs for students staying on the IU campus include:
- Room and board–$10,830
- Books and supplies–$1,110
- Transportation–$650
- Personal expenses–$2,120
There are many ways for students to pay for their education. If they have the means, they can pay upfront before each semester. If they need financial assistance, the Financial Aid Department specializes in finding funds. Several scholarships are available at the school, along with others at the state, federal, and community levels. Organizations are also involved in several scholarship programs. Pell Grants or other “need” grants are available form federal, state, and community levels. The final solution that the department looks for funds is the Federal Student Loan Program, as IU chooses to reduce student debt as much as possible.
There are many universities in the U.S. Of the thousands of schools from which a student can choose, Indiana University-Bloomington offers an incredible experience that will provide the essential platform to launch a successful career in computer science.
Related Resources:
