Computer Science Degrees in Florida (A-F)

computer science degrees in florida

The long list of computer science degrees in Florida is a great way for today’s students to turn an interest in technology into a lucrative career in the tech sector. With programs offered at both major public universities and several smaller, private universities throughout the state, students can pick a program that offers the right instructional environment, class size, and cost, for their unique needs. Each of these programs will give students a solid background in an array of key fields, ranging from database administration to computer programming, network security, and organizational troubleshooting. Whether it’s a graduate degree or a more advanced educational pursuit in the field, students will enjoy a curriculum that sets them up to take full advantage of a fast-growing tech industry with a shortage of qualified applicants nationwide.

Barry University

Department of Math and Computer Science

Barry University’s student population makes it one of the largest Catholic institutions of higher education in the southeastern part of the country, and it also ensures that students have access to some of the highest-quality programs in the state. The school’s Department of Math and Computer Science oversees a computer science program that has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. As part of the school’s commitment to teaching great career skills and ensuring high job placement after graduation, students are often placed into groups and given the ability to handle typical, real-world problems that face today’s organizations. These hands-on scenarios range from administration of software to resolution of security programs, and prepare students for a strongly encouraged internship that can be used in place of a program elective during the second half of the degree program.

BS Computer Science

Barry’s program in computer science results in the awarding of a Bachelor of Science degree, meaning students will be required to take an extensive number of laboratory science and mathematics credits in order to graduate. This includes a full mathematics minor, which requires students to take several advanced courses in calculus and discrete math. This lays the foundation for a more thorough understanding of the nature of computer programming, which is the next major component of the degree. Object-oriented program, application assembly, and computer programming requirements must be taken and passed. Students will also take courses in database oversight, network security, and the fundamentals of computer science. Courses in hardware, computer architecture, and web-based design and programming are also either required or encouraged prior to graduation.

Contact
Barry University
Department of Math and Computer Science
11300 NE 2nd Ave.
Miami Shores, FL 33161
Phone: (305) 899-3612
Email: mathcs@mail.barry.edu
Website

Bethune-Cookman University

Department of Computer Science

Bethune-Cookman is one of the largest and oldest, historically black universities in the state of Florida. Students at B-CU are taught by an all-doctoral group of faculty members who come from the surrounding Daytona Beach community, virtually all of them with a strong combination of technology industry experience and extensive academic credentials. As a result, students are given insight into how the modern computer scientist can work in a variety of fields, from corporate technology oversight to software development, website maintenance, and network deployment in a number of environments. Students are able to seek an internship at any time throughout their course of study, and they can opt to exchange at least one of those internships for up to 6 credits of elective coursework required by the program. On-campus job and internship fairs, a computer science honors society, and numbers tech-related clubs are all advised by the Department of Computer Science outside the classroom for maximum networking and skill development.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

This program is mostly oriented around troubleshooting and developing a strong understanding of modern computer programming languages and security procedures. Students will take foundational computer science classes during their first two or three semesters, and then move into classes in network security, computer programming, mobile website and application design, and organizational computing. All students are required to take a large number of advanced math and science classes prior to graduation as well, as part of the B.S. program guidance. Classes place students into cooperative teams at he upper-level, and many require separate laboratory components where classroom skills are tested, enforced, and refined. Students can opt to seek an internship in exchange for classroom credit toward the end of their program, eliminating at least one elective course in the process.

Contact
Bethune-Cookman University
Department of Computer Science
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: (386) 481-2000
Website

Eckerd College

Department of Computer Science

Located in the scenic Florida city of St. Petersburg, Eckerd College is one of the state’s more recent private institutions to open its doors to students. The school opened in 1958 and has been growing at a rapid rate ever since, driven largely by its commitment to creating innovative classroom environments that deliver theoretical skills with real practice. The Department of Computer Science ensures that undergraduate students have ample access to on-campus computer labs and coursework that enforces the material through collaborative troubleshooting, self-guided research, and internship potential in St. Pete. The program requires all students to seek at least one internship during their time on campus, for which they will receive academic credit in order to lighten their course load and place greater emphasis on dedication to their career skills. Professors all hold doctoral degrees and have industry experience throughout St. Pete, giving them a way to teach students how each learning objective comes into play in the workplace.

Computer Science Major

Computer Science majors at Eckerd are among the few nationwide who cannot graduate until they have either passed a comprehensive, final year examination, or successfully developed and presented a thesis to an undergraduate faculty panel. To obtain the skills necessary to accomplish either capstone, students will take classes in computer design, the theory of modern computing, networking and network security, information systems, computer programming, and object-oriented design. To build a strong programming foundation, all students will be required to take discrete mathematics and calculus, as well as lower-level math courses depending on their entrance examination scores. All students will complete a general education core that focuses on the liberal arts and humanities as well. Internships are required, and will be exchanged for academic credit up to six full hours, based on the student’s internship schedule and academic program needs.

Contact
Eckerd College
Department of Computer Science
4200 54th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Phone: (727) 864-8272
Website

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona

College of Engineering

Embry-Riddle is often regarded as being worth of an Ivy League reputation, with academic programs that typically rank in the top 10 percent nationally and in the top 15 percent when compared to the international competition. Embry-Riddle’s Florida campus offers students access to a number of prestigious computer and engineering programs, including the B.S. in Computer Science. The department is staffed by doctoral professors who have worked in computer science, computer programming, and IT leadership, which ensures students receive an education of only the highest quality. Embry-Riddle is a leading military educational institution, and often works with military students to arrange practical experiences for them as they live on base, giving them excellent references and job skills that will come in to play as they seek to return to civilian life sometime after graduation. Non-military students are encouraged to pursue internships and participate in numerous tech-focused, on-campus organizations instead.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The buzzword used at Embry-Riddle for the computer science program is “teamwork.” Virtually all courses, even those offered at the introductory level, place students into small groups or problem-solving teams as they seek to utilize recently learned skills in laboratory environments. Though a common core of computer science classes is required of all students in the program, Embry-Riddle does offer four separate content concentrations that can be used to specialize a skill set for more pinpointed career success after graduation. Available concentrations include cyber security, business administration, homeland security, and human factors. Courses in these concentration areas focus on the unique application of computer programming, systems development, hardware, and computer theory, as they relate to unique workplaces and consumer needs. Alongside computer science classes, strong math and science requirements are enforced in order to award the Bachelor of Science credential.

Contact
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona
College of Engineering
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: (386) 226-6000
Email: dbadmit@erau.edu
Website

Florida Institute of Technology

Department of Computer Science

With nearly 9,000 enrolled students, the Florida Institute of Technology is one of the state’s largest, tech-focused schools. That can be seen in the numerous program offerings available through the Department of Computer Science: Students can pursue a computer science degree at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through the school. Florida Institute of Technology combines the prestige of a high-tech classroom with the hard work of an on-campus research reputation, working to drive the technology industry forward for the benefit of its students. Professors often bring their research findings into the classroom, enriching instructional material and giving students a new way to think about this fast-growing part of the economy.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The B.S. in Computer Science at Florida Institute of Technology offers some of the most unique program concentrations anywhere in the state of Florida. In addition to a general content core that teaches students the fundamentals of computer science, computer theory, programming and software engineering, these concentrations prepare students for careers in everything from artificial intelligence to database administration and user interface design. The school’s seven concentrations include artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, graphics, databases, operating systems, computational theory, and computer architecture. each concentration is designed to build on the foundational core, giving students the insight they need to work in a very specific occupation within the tech sector. Student collaboration is often required in computer labs on-campus, teaching crucial teamwork skills necessary in today’s economy.

Master of Science in Computer Science

Admission to FIT’s M.S. in Computer Science program is highly competitive, and it requires students to have taken very specific coursework during their undergraduate careers. This essentially means that all applicants should have majored in computer science, management information systems, or another tech-related field in order to be granted admission. Extensive mathematics requirements are also enforced, and those students who did not take advanced calculus and discrete math will be required to do so before taking courses in the program. Once enrolled, students will enroll in classes that include artificial intelligence, compiler theory, applied discrete math, algorithm analysis, and more. They will be required to research, complete, and present a thesis before graduating. An internship is encouraged, and can be used in place of a computer science elective.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Students can enroll in the PhD program at FIT either after earning a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Up to 72 credits are required to earn the doctoral degree for those with only a bachelor’s degree, while that number is cut down to 42 for those who did go to grad school for computer science. Students must have a thesis in order to graduate, which must be highly researched in an area relevant to the program. The PhD is one that deals extensively with the theory of computer science, its foundations, and its future. The courses offered by FIT therefore focus not on the practical applications of computer science, but rather on where computer science came from, how its applications fit into the modern tech industry, and how its past philosophies dictate its future. Prior to graduation, a well-researched thesis will be presented and must be approved by a faculty panel. Students are then primed for a career in the field or in academia.

Contact
Florida Institute of Technology
Department of Computer Science
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL, 32901
Phone: (321) 674-8000
Email: admission@fit.edu
Website

Florida Memorial University

Department of Computer Science

Florida Memorial is another of the state’s historically black universities, affording opportunity to a diverse student population from all walks of life. The Department of Computer Science offers both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in computer science or related fields, giving students the opportunity to build a strong foundation in this area and then advance their understanding at the graduate level for even easier career advancement off-campus. Students are required to seek an undergraduate internship, while graduate students are encouraged to become teaching assistants or to pursue clinical experiences in educational settings that might become useful after graduating. All course take place in state-of-the-art computer labs and classrooms, equipped with next-generation software and hardware that will give students their best chance at understanding the current generation of technology and where the industry is headed in the immediate future.

BS in Computer Science

Undergraduates at Florida Memorial University will extensively cover computer programming, network security, tech troubleshooting, and database administration. They will primarily be taught how to use these skills in the employment of a school or business, where they’ll be charged both with developing unique computer science solutions and helping less-experienced personnel deal with computer problems. To that end, a number of classes require group work throughout the entire semester. Most classes are taught in campus labs, simulating work environments and giving students the insight they need to be successful in an internship and an eventual job placement after graduation.

Master’s of Science in Computer Education Technology

The M.S. program offered at Florida Memorial is not a traditional computer science graduate degree, but instead one that focuses on the use of technology in today’s classrooms. The program is most often undertaken by existing educators, many of whom either teach computer science to younger students or simply want a greater understanding of how they can leverage technology for use in their teaching of any subject. The program therefore requires at least five years of teaching experience. Students will learn about educational software, custom programming solutions needed for teaching various topics, and how to integrate technology in the classroom and beyond. They’ll learn about educational software administration, hardware selection, and other tech-focused topics for modern teachers and school leaders.

Contact
Florida Memorial University
Department of Computer Science
15800 N.W. 42nd Ave.
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
Phone: (305) 623-1401
Email: ndiogo@fmuniv.edu
Website

Florida Southern College

Computer Science Department

Consistently ranked as a top 10 regional college by U.S. News and World Report, and lauded as a best value by the Princeton Review, Florida Southern College offers a strong computer science degree that will give graduates great job opportunities throughout the state of Florida. The university combines innovative computer labs with doctoral and part-time adjunct faculty, many of whom still work in Florida’s emerging tech sector. Students participate in on-the-job simulations, giving them the decision-making skills they need to quickly diagnose software problems, fix hardware malfunctions, and both detect and resolve major security holes on behalf of their future employer.

Computer Science Major

The primary focus of Florida Southern’s major in computer science is programming and software engineering. In fact, Florida Southern offers the most extensive programming curriculum in the state of Florida. Students will take three independent classes, each at a successively higher level, focusing on programming languages, architecture, and theory. They will also be introduced to object-oriented programming and design, web programming, and basic software engineering. By the time they graduate, computer science students should be able to use their programming skills to develop unique applications for Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix-based operating systems. Their skills should permit them to design for the web and develop custom, web-based solutions that interact with customers or clients in an intuitive way.

Contact
Florida Southern College
Computer Science Department
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 680-4328
Email: khenderson@flsouthern.edu
Website

Florida State University

Department of Computer Science

Florida State is both Florida’s oldest and most highly-active research institution of higher education. The university also rivals the University of Florida for the status of the state’s flagship public institution. Because of its large size and highly active faculty, Florida State’s Department of Computer Science is easily one of the most prestigious in the state of Florida and offers degree programs that range from undergraduate to doctoral. At all levels, students either benefit from university research into the tech sector or they actively participate in on-campus research labs that are helping to propel the broader technology industry forward. Professors are primarily doctoral-level faculty members, though several adjuncts and a number of teaching assistants also help deliver courses and further the department’s educational outcomes in select classes on-campus.

BS in Computer Science

At the undergraduate level, students will be expected to be fully proficient in all three major operating system environments. This includes Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix-based systems. They will take extensive coursework in computer programming, learning major languages used for each of those three operating systems. At least one class will also focus on programming for the web. Other core requirements include algorithm analysis, systems design, database administration, and network security. Because the program awards requires an in-depth understanding of how math interacts with computer analysis, students will also need to take several high-level math classes prior to graduation.

MS in Computer Science

The graduate-level computer science program is designed to help students specialize their skills and narrow their focus on a given part of the technology industry. This means that all students will first take the general computer science core, and then choose a graduate-level concentration that guides their studies for the rest of the degree program. Available concentrations include information security or computer network and system administration. Both programs are split into components that emphasize theory, software, and broader systems. Students will pair coursework in computer organizations, security theory, and information systems, with research that will yield a thesis. That thesis must be presented and approved prior to graduation.

Doctoral Degree in Computer Science

Students pursuing the PhD in Computer Science will take a more philosophical approach to modern computing. In addition to quite a few courses that do encourage hands-on learning of advanced computer security and programming, doctoral candidates will spend a great deal of time learning about the history of computers, the history of computer science, and the philosophy that is driving modern hardware and software design. They’ll learn about the intersection of technology and commerce, the role of computers in the workplace, and the role of computing in developing economies. Prior to graduation, doctoral students must present a fully researched, doctoral thesis to an FSU faculty panel.

Contact
Florida State University
Department of Computer Science
600 W. College Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Phone: (850) 644-2525
Email: diaguila@cs.fsu.edu
Website

Students who wish to pursue a high-tech job have a number of factors benefitting their search: America finds itself with a shortage of qualified computer scientists and engineers, and the tech industry itself continues to evolve and expand, requiring even more talent for a slate of open positions. The best way to take advantage of these openings and long-term opportunities is to pursue an undergraduate, graduate-level, or doctoral degree in the field. That’s exactly what students will find when they begin considering one of the many rigorous computer science degrees in Florida.

Related Resources:

To see more Computer Science degrees offered in Florida, visit Computer Science Degrees in Florida (H-Z).