Why Computer Science?
The computer science major focuses on programming languages and theory 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.
Focus Areas
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Architecture and High-Performance Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science and Informatics
- Foundations of Computer Science
- IoT, Robotics, and Embedded Systems
- Networking
- Software Engineering
- User-Centered Computing
What You'll Learn
- Computer science majors study advanced computing topics such as artificial intelligence, data visualization, informatics, data science, advanced algorithms, constraint processing, data mining, computer security, and cryptography.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Career Connections
- Connect with industry professionals through frequent career events.
- Explore internship opportunities in the local tech sector, located within walking distance from campus.
- Meet with a career advisor who can help you polish your resume or prepare for interviews.
Flexibility for students to add a second major in another area of interest
100% placement rate for new graduates seeking work
80% of graduates get first job offers before diplomas
How You’ll Learn
Hands-On Learning Experiences
- Participate in our annual student-led CornHacks hackathon.
- Assist distinguished faculty in groundbreaking research.
- Complete our Senior Design capstone course, in which you’ll spend a full academic year developing a new product with a faculty or industry sponsor.
Transferable Career Skills
- Implement appropriate technological interventions to help solve problems.
- Document and replicate processes and procedures.
- Simplify complex information and present it to others.
Social Connections
- Study and socialize with fellow majors in our Student Resource Center community hub.
- Join computing-focused student organizations to learn new skills and connect with students who share your interests.
- Live, study, and explore opportunities with other computing students by joining a Learning Community.
Making a Difference
- Volunteer to mentor younger computing students through robotics clubs, coding camps, or local STEM organizations.
- Join our student organization Initialize, a club dedicated to giving back to the community through computing.
- Promote diversity in technology through campus events and local initiatives.
Core Academics
- Learn to analyze large-scale data and its associated processes.
- Discover the practical applications of data science through interdisciplinary contexts and experiences.
- Prepare for your future career through professional development grounded in application-driven problem solving.
Research and Grad School Prep
- Become an undergraduate research assistant and conduct research alongside graduate students and faculty through our programs and labs.
- Connect with course instructors and receive guidance in exploring your research and career options.
- Attend our annual Grad Info Day event to explore our graduate programs and opportunities.
Program Features
- Undergraduate Research. Our students are invited and encouraged to participate in faculty-supervised research supported by grants and the university’s UCARE program.
- Prime Silicon Prairie Location. The university is within walking distance from dozens of local tech startups and thriving companies. Students don’t have to look far to land a great internship or a first job.
- Real-World Experience. Our program prepares students for their professional futures by incorporating industry work into course curriculum.
- Career Connections. We host a variety of career events throughout the school year designed to help students explore career opportunities, connect with hiring companies, and introduce themselves to potential employers.
Research and Academic Opportunities
Innovate in Senior Design
In our Senior Design course, students spend a full academic year working on a team to complete a real-world project for an industry or faculty sponsor.
Engage in Cutting-Edge Research
Many of our students join faculty in their research labs to gain research experience in a specific area of computing. Our NIMBUS Lab allows students to study and participate in drone development.
Intern for Credit
Gain career experience while completing academic requirements by earning course credit for one approved internship.
Learn by Connecting
Our Learning Assistant Program is dedicated to helping first-year computing majors succeed through partnerships with upper-level students, academic support, and improved learning experiences.
Student Organizations
The School of Computing is home to several highly engaged student organizations. These clubs provide a great opportunity to grow as a leader, gain experience, make meaningful connections, and have fun.
The School of Computing Advisory Board (cSAB)
This group is committed to helping the school improve by making student voices heard by faculty, staff, and leadership. This group organizes regular student events, such as the annual Involvement Fair and Student Advisory Panel, and leads initiatives to enhance student experiences.
Initialize is a group dedicated to using computing skills to give back to the local community. This club’s activities include teaching robotics concepts to Lincoln middle schoolers, mentoring Girl Scouts at coding camps, and building new software for local nonprofits.
The Operating Systems and Open-Source Group (OS2G) is a club for users of Linux and other free and open-source software (FOSS) to meet, socialize, and learn from one another.
The university's only club focused on learning to develop video games. This group aims to guide students in learning effective professional game development techniques.
Recent Student Placements
Internships
- Sandhills Systems Intern, Sandhills Publishing - Lincoln, NE
- Data Science Intern, Hudl - Lincoln, NE
- IOS Intern, OSG Corporation - Irving, TX
- Research Intern, ABB Corporate Research Center - Raleigh, NC
- Application Development Intern, Buildertrend - Omaha, NE
Careers
- Technology Specialist, TD Ameritrade - Omaha, NE
- Mobile App Developer, Sandhills Publishing - Lincoln, NE
- Programmer, Nebraska Heart Hospital - Lincoln, NE
- Implementation Consultant, Fast Enterprises, LLC - Atlanta, GA
- Software Consultant, Self Employed - Austin, TX
Graduate Schools
- Ph.D. Computer Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
- Ph.D., Computer Science, Ohio State University - Columbus, OH
- Medical Doctor, University of Nebraska Medical Center - Omaha, NE
- Master's Degree, Mathematical Science, Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
4-Year Plan and Notable Courses
Explore our major requirements and the computer science courses you'll be taking through the 4-year plan.
4-Year PlanCSCE 155T: Computer Science I: Informatics Focus
Introduction to computers and problem-solving with computers. Topics include problem solving methods, software development principles, computer programming, and computing in society.
CSCE 311: Data Structures and Algorithms for Informatics
An introduction to algorithms and data structures for informatics. Foundational coverage of algorithms includes both problems and methods. Foundational coverage of data structures includes lists, tables, relational databases, regular expressions, trees, graphs, and multidimensional arrays. The topics will be studied in the context of informatics applications.
CSCE 320: Data Analysis
Practical experience on how to model data through existing techniques including object-oriented and relational models. These models can then be used at the center of systems to promote efficient and effective data processing and analysis.
CSCE 386: Practice and Professional Development: Design and Implementation
Data science topics include data-centric and model-driven approaches; information and knowledge structures, organization, and access; searching and mining; and visualization. Professional development involves instruction in career development, entrepreneurship, professional ethics, and professional communications.
CSCE 486: Computer Science Professional Development
Preparation for the senior design project. Professional practice through familiarity with current tools, resources, and technologies. Professional standards, practices and ethics, and the oral and written report styles used specifically in the field of computer science.
CSCE 487: Senior Design
A substantial computer science project requiring design, planning and scheduling, teamwork, written and oral communications, and the integration and application of technical and analytical aspects of computer science and software engineering.
Contact Us
Olivia Ingle
Recruitment Coordinator
(402) 472-0434
olivia.ingle@unl.edu