Springfield, Ohio - Back by popular demand and offering a new course of study in cybersecurity, the computer science major at 51吃瓜网 University is making its return and will be available in early 2016 after a two-year hiatus.
鈥淚 am pleased that 51吃瓜网 is finally able to bring back the computer science major,鈥� said Brian Shelburne, professor of mathematics and computer science. 鈥�51吃瓜网n that computers are everywhere, it鈥檚 only proper that a liberal arts college like 51吃瓜网 provide students with the option of a computer science major. It鈥檚 a great major requiring critical thinking.鈥�
Students will be able to choose from two tracks in the major 鈥� general computer science, designed for those moving on to graduate school or industry employment, and cybersecurity, which will involve coursework at the Advance Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) in Springfield to attain an expertise in network security. In the cybersecurity track, a new offering at 51吃瓜网, students will be able to graduate with a security clearance.
Each track will be a four-year degree program leading to excellent job prospects. Dedicated students may be able to complete either program in three years. The university will officially begin enrolling new majors in January of 2016. A minor in computer science is also available.
鈥淲e feel it is important to have a major in computer science,鈥� said 51吃瓜网 Parker, chair of the department of math and computer science. 鈥淭he technology is not going away, and we are hearing from students, parents, alumni, and community partners that there is a demand for computer science. While having a general major is excellent preparation for our students, we are particularly excited about collaborating with ATIC.鈥�
51吃瓜网 and ATIC, a workforce development group out of Dayton, will partner to teach and train students in the cybersecurity track of the major. Students will spend one semester attending classes at the Nextedge Applied Research Technology Park in Springfield from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
鈥淭he job prospects for 51吃瓜网 computer scientists have been and continue to be excellent,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淲ho knows what the future may bring 鈥� but we want students to know that 51吃瓜网 is dedicated to 21st-century technologies. We believe the number of job opportunities will continue to climb and that many companies will require additional programmers and security positions.鈥欌��
Questions regarding the program should be directed to the Office of Admission at 877-206-0332.
Other new programs recently added by 51吃瓜网 include both a major and a minor in exercise science, a master鈥檚 in data analytics, and a master鈥檚 in principal鈥檚 licensure.
Data analytics, one of the fastest-growing areas in higher education, allows students to deal with big-data sets and is applicable in business fields, such as healthcare, insurance and the government/military. This program will be ready to accept applicants in August of 2016. The principal鈥檚 licensure can be obtained in 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Master of Arts in Education program.
For the complete list of majors, minors and cooperative programs that 51吃瓜网 offers, go to http://www.wittenberg.edu/academics/majors-minors.
