Compare Our Majors

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The School of Computing offers four majors: data science, computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering. Students can expect to take many of the same courses and learn valuable computing skills in each major, but courses and requirements will vary among the four.

Learn more about our four majors by reviewing each of the majors pages, the charts and information below, and additional details about courses and requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Computer
Science

Computer
Engineering

Software
Engineering

Major Overview

Data Science Computer Science Computer Engineering Software Engineering

The data science major prepares students with skills and competency in data analysis and interpretation, algorithm design and implementation, and problem solving. The interdisciplinary program enables students to take advantage of career opportunities across diverse fields involving data-rich, data-driven systems and applications.

The computer science major focuses on theoretical and practical disciplines that will prepare students for any computing career path. Students will learn both fundamentals and high-level concepts and will have the flexibility to explore a variety of specialized computing topics tailored to their specific goals, interests, and desired skills.

The computer engineering major focuses on the integration of hardware and software system design, and students will learn to combine computing concepts with technical hardware skills. This major prepares students with the range of expertise required to develop a holistic view of computer-based systems and to make global design decisions.

The software engineering major focuses on the engineering principles and practices necessary to build, maintain, and protect complex modern systems. Students study within a small cohort of fellow majors and are well prepared for careers in the tech field thanks to this program’s unique, hands-on curriculum modeled after real industry work.

What You'll Learn

Data Science Computer Science Computer Engineering Software Engineering

Students will study various aspects of data science such as data collection, visualization, computational methodologies, and applications. In addition to choosing a focus area, they’ll also pursue either a minor or a second major in a discipline that both complements and enhances their data science studies.

Students will study advanced computing topics such as artificial intelligence, security, networking, cryptography, and high-end computing. Many choose to add a second major or a minor in another complementary subject such as business or math. They can also add another minor if they’ve completed the foreign language requirement.

Students will study topics such as digital logic and technologies, programming, system components and design, application of theory, experimentation, tools and techniques, and maintenance. Students will take many of the same courses as computer science majors, but will take electrical engineering courses instead of other subjects.

Students will learn software engineering concepts such as design, architecture, development, analysis, testing, maintenance, and documentation starting in their first year. Students also spend not just one but two years collaborating on professional projects in our Senior Design capstone course.

Majors Requirements

Data Science Computer Science Computer Engineering Software Engineering
Total Credit Hours 120 120 126 123
Major Credit Hours 33 36 42 63
Foreign Language 4 years high school 4 years high school 2 years high school 2 years high school
Science 8 hours including at least one laboratory 12 hours including at least one laboratory
Physics and Chemistry 12 hours including at least one laboratory
Mathematics Calc I and II, or Business Calc and Contemporary Math Calc I, II, Stats, Linear Algebra Calc I, II, III, Diff. Eq., Linear Algebra Calc I, II, Stats, Linear Algebra and one elective
Technical Electives 12 (toward required focus area) 9 15 15
Open Electives 0 11 3 0
Capstone One year One year One year Two years
Internship Optional Optional Optional Required
Second Major Optional Optional Not required Not required
 Minor Not required Required Optional Minor Optional Minor
Focus Area Required Optional Optional Optional

Focus Areas

Data Science Computer Science Computer Engineering Software Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Software Development
  • Data Pipeline
  • Statistical Modeling
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Applied Data Science: Sociology
  • Applied Data Science: Natural Resources
  • Applied Data Science: Journalism & Humanities
  • Artificial Intelligence 
  • Computer Architecture & High-Performance Computing
  • Cybersecurity
  • Foundations of Computing
  • IoT, Robotics, & Embedded Systems
  • Networking
  • Software Engineering
  • User-Centered Computing
  • Embedded Systems & Robotics
  • VLSI Design
  • Signal Processing & Communications
  • High-Performance Computing
  • Artificial Intelligence 
  • Computer Architecture & High-Performance Computing
  • Cybersecurity
  • Foundations of Computing
  • IoT, Robotics, & Embedded Systems
  • Networking
  • User-Centered Computing

Learn more about our focus areas here.

Credit Hours Per Major

Data Science

Data Science Credit Hours Per Major Circle Graph


Course Hours
Red Dot Core 33
Lime Dot Focus Area 12
Orange Dot Natural Sciences 8
Blue Dot General Studies 21
Purple Dot Open Electives 46

Computer Science

Computer Science Credit Hours Per Major Circle Graph


Course Hours
Red Dot Core 36
Green Dot Mathematics 15
Orange Dot Natural Sciences 12
Blue Dot General Studies 21
Fuchsia Dot Foreign Language 16
Purple Dot Open Electives 11
Yellow Dot Technical Electives 9

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering Credit Hours Per Major Circle Graph


Course Hours
Red Dot Core 45
Green Dot Mathematics 15
Orange Dot Natural Sciences 9
Blue Dot General Studies 18
Teal Dot Electrical Engineering 19
Yellow Dot Technical Electives 18

Software Engineering

Software Engineering Credit Hours Per Major Circle Graph


Course Hours
Red Dot Core 64
Green Dot Mathematics 18
Orange Dot Natural Sciences 12
Orange Dot General Studies 15
Yellow Dot Technical Electives 15

Contact Us

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Olivia Ingle

Recruitment Coordinator
(402) 472-5027
olivia.ingle@unl.edu

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Jarrett Ramsey

Assistant Director of Academic Advising
(402) 472-5015
jarrett.ramsey@unl.edu

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Patrick Metoyer

Academic Advisor
(402) 472-5040
pmetoyer2@unl.edu