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Computer science is vital in every industry and it serves multiple purposes: to make it possible to research, track and analyze information and to communicate and transact. The volume of data we exchange globally on any given day is infinite. Looking ahead, the speed at which data is sent and received will continue to increase and new technological innovations will continue to transform how we live and work in ways that we can now only imagine.


The power of technology in today’s world has opened the door to unlimited career opportunities across every industry. Alvernia’s Computer Science program provides the specialized skill set and expertise that students will need to stay on the leading edge of this continually evolving field and succeed in tomorrow’s workforce.
 

Getting Started

General Notes
  • A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
  • Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
  • Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
  • Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
  • Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
  • A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Majors
Mathematics students
Why Choose Alvernia?
• A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, Alvernia offers more than 50 majors and minors.
• An ever-expanding number of experiential learning opportunities includes internships, field experiences, co-ops, research projects, and study/service abroad programs.
• A rich campus life allows students to enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, more than 50 clubs, intramural sport and student leadership and governance opportunities.
• In growth mode, Alvernia continues to add value to its student experience: expanding academic programming in new facilities; adding student living space and updating residence halls; partnering with a community health provider; and adding amenities including a game room and new performance space.


Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

  • SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
  • COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
  • THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
  • PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)


Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

  • Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
    • Lab Science (Met in major)
    • Math (Met in related area)
  • Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
    • History or Political Science
    • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3 (Met in related area)
  • Culture & Language (9 credits)
    • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
    • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
  • Creative Expressions (6 credits)
    • Literature (ENG)
    • Art, Music, or Theatre (Met with THR 244)


Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

  • Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level)
  • Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (Met with PHI 208)
Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Required Courses (51-54 Credits)

  • CS 115 Introduction to Programming
  • CS 120 Introduction to IT
  • CS 155 Object-Oriented Programming
  • CS 210 Computer Organization & Assembly Language
  • CS 220 Data Structures & Algorithms
  • CS 310 Operating Systems
  • CS 320 Algorithm Design and Analysis
  • CS 345 E-Commerce
  • CS 400 Database Systems
  • CS 420 Computer Science Seminar
  • CS 425 Software Development
  • SCI 406 Research I
  • SCI 407 Research II or SCI 480 Science Internship
  • MAT 209 Probability & Statistics
  • MAT 230 Calculus I
  • MAT 231 Calculus II
  • MAT 250 Discrete Mathematics
     

Required Computer Science Electives

Students must complete 12 credits (4 courses) in Computer Science from the list below:

  • CS 3XX Automata and Formal Languages
  • CS 3XX Human Computer Interaction
  • CS 4XX: Compilers
  • CS 4XX: Introduction to Computer Graphics
Experiential Learning Opportunities

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Accreditation Statements
  • Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, you can pursue careers at Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, banks, or local, regional, and national firms. Alvernia computer science graduates can find jobs as:

  • IT specialist
  • Software Developer
  • Network and computer systems administrator
  • Computer programmer
  • Computer network architect
  • Computer support specialist
  • Database manager
  • Information security analyst
  • Web developer
  • Cyber security analyst
  • Digital forensics specialist
  • Data analyst


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 23 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage was $136,620 in 2022.

Contact Us

Matthew Prudente, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chair of Mathematics & Technology Department, College of STEAM

Students in a biology lab at Alvernia University.
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
STEAM encompasses the disciplines that drive innovative problem-solving, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and technological growth. These disciplines are at the heart of the technological revolution fueling our growth and transformation as a society.
Visit the STEAM Page