Florida Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Lakeland, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 105 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* resident and non-resident tuition fee for 30 credit hours
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The B.S. in Computer Science gives you the broad computational thinking, programming, and problem-solving skills you’ll need to succeed as a computing professional in a range of emerging careers and industries — from automated vehicles to biomedical devices and sensor-based technologies.
Problem Solving the Next Big Thing
Whether you select from one of three concentrations (game development and simulation, cyber-security, software engineering) or choose from advanced topics, you will graduate with a comprehensive foundation that enables you to adapt to new disruptive technologies and changing demand.
Get Involved Outside the Classroom
We have an active student organization community with more than 35 clubs that vary based on specific academic interests, professional development, and activities just for fun.
Programming Club
Florida Poly’s Programming Club is a place where people with an appreciation of programming and any level of skill can go and learn and have fun.
Purple Fire Robotics
Students focus on building Combat, VEX, and other robotics and entering them in competitions around the region and across the nation. The Purple Fire Robotics team welcomes students of all skill levels to join.
We offer generous need- and merit-based scholarships and participate in statewide college funding programs like Florida Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid.
Institutional Scholarships
- Alexander Scholars
- Provost Scholars
- Florida Poly Merit Scholars
- Johnson Scholarship
- Latin American Caribbean Scholarship
- Florida Poly National Merit Finalist Scholarship
Out-of-State Scholarships
- First Generation Matching Grant
- Florida Student Assistance Grants (FSAG)
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
- José Martí Scholarship Grant Fund
- Rosewood Family Scholarship
The Computer Science program is a high-quality program focused on education and research. The program is a STEM education-based program that yields highly skilled graduates who have strong knowledge of the fundamentals of Computer Science and who can apply that knowledge to design and implement solutions for arising problems. The program prepares students for clear and concise communication when working in a team environment and for careers in industry, government, and academia.
The program curriculum designates all required courses in each requirement category to complete the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree.
College Skills (1) & Co-Curricular
All majors are required to complete an approved internship/professional experience before graduation.
- EGN 1006 - Career Design for STEM Disciplines (Credits: 1)
- IDS 4941 - Professional Experience Internship (Credits: 0)
General Education (37)
Communication (6)
- ENC 1101 - English Composition 1: Expository and Argumentative Writing (Credits: 3)
- ENC 2210 - Technical Writing (Credits: 3)
Arts and Humanities (6-9)
Required for CS majors:
- IDS 2144 - Legal, Ethical, and Management Issues in Technology (Credits: 3)
Choose one:
- ARH 2000 - Art Appreciation (Credits: 3)
- HUM 2020 - Introduction to the Humanities (Credits: 3)
- LIT 2000 - Introduction to Literature (Credits: 3)
- PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy (Credits: 3)
- MUL 2010 - Music Appreciation (Credits: 3)
Social Sciences (3-6)
Required, one of the following:
- AMH 2020 - American History Since 1877 (Credits: 3)
- ECO 2013 - Principles of Macroeconomics (Credits: 3)
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology (Credits: 3)
Optional, one from the following:
- AMH 2010 - American History to 1877 (Credits: 3)
- ECO 2023 - Principles of Microeconomics (Credits: 3)
- HIS 2930 - Special Topics (Credits: 3)
Mathematics (11)
- MAC 2311 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Credits: 4)
- MAC 2312 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Credits: 4)
- MAD 2104 - Discrete Mathematics (Credits: 3)
Natural Sciences (8)
- CHM 2045 - Chemistry 1 (Credits: 3)
- CHM 2045L - Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
- PHY 2048 - Physics 1 (Credits: 3)
- PHY 2048L - Physics 1 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
Advanced Math and Science (10)
- STA 2023 - Statistics 1 (Credits: 3)
- MAS 3114 - Computational Linear Algebra (Credits: 3)
- 4 Credits from the Following Natural Science Electives:
- PHY 2049 - Physics 2 (Credits: 3)
- PHY 2049L - Physics 2 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
- CHM 2046 - Chemistry 2 (Credits: 3)
- CHM 2046L - Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
- EVR 1001 - Environmental Science (Credits: 3)
- EVR 1001L - Environmental Science Lab (Credits: 1)
Computer Science Core (48)
- EGN 1007 - Concepts and Methods for Engineering and Computer Science (Credits: 1)
- IDS 1380 - Foundational Lessons in Applications of Mathematics (Credits: 3)
- COP 2080 - CS Problem Solving and Solution (Credits: 2)
- COP 2271 - Introduction to Computation and Programming (Credits: 3)
- CNT 3004 - Computer Networks & Communication (Credits: 3)
- CDA 3100 - Computer Architecture (Credits: 3)
- COP 3337 - Object Oriented Programming (Credits: 3)
- COP 3415 - Data Structures (Credits: 3)
- COP 3710 - Database 1 (Credits: 3)
- CEN 3820 - System Analysis and Design (Credits: 3)
- COP 4020 - Programming Languages (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4033 - Secure Software Engineering (Credits: 3)
- COT 4210 - Formal Languages & Automata (Credits: 3)
- COP 4531 - Algorithm Design & Analysis (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4612 - Machine Learning (Credits: 3)
- COP 4610 - Operating Systems Concepts (Credits: 3)
- CDA 2108 - Fundamentals of Computer Systems (Credits: 3)
Capstone Design Sequence (6)
- COP 4934 - Senior Design 1 (Credits: 3)
- COP 4935 - Senior Design 2 (Credits: 3)
Concentrations (12)
Advanced Topics
- Choose up to twelve hours from electives or other concentration courses to fill out your program.
Artificial Intelligence
- CAP 4630 - Artificial Intelligence (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4613 - Applied Deep Learning (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4410 - Computer Vision (Credits: 3)
- CAI 4304 - Natural Language Processing (Credits: 3)
Big Data Analytics
Students in BDA learn to collect, manage, and optimize large-scale structured and unstructured data sets to facilitate information and decision-making. Students in BDA develop a strong foundation in essential programming skills, quantitative analysis, and hardware and software solutions for facilitating effective use of big data.
- CAP 4770 - Data Mining & Text Mining (Credits: 3)
- COP 3729 - Database 2 (Credits: 3)
- Choose two of the following:
- CAP 4786 - Topics in Big Data Analytics (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4410 - Computer Vision (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4613 - Applied Deep Learning (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4793 - Advanced Data Science (Credits: 3)
Game Development & Simulation
Game Development and Simulation is an interdisciplinary concentration that applies the rigor of computer science to the creative challenges of game development. With a core curriculum in computing, mathematics, and science, students will combine advanced technical skills with training in the visual arts to develop innovations in digital gaming. The Game Development and Simulation concentration prepares you not only for careers in the $70 billion professional games industry, but also for related fields such as healthcare simulation, scientific visualization, and other computing professions.
- CAP 4730 - Computer Graphics (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4034 - Computer Animation (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4052 - Game Design and Development 1 (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4056 - Game Design and Development 2 (Credits: 3)
Information Assurance and Cyber Security
Cyber Security is the profession of keeping digital information safe from cybercrime, espionage, and terrorism. Cyber security experts are in high demand to protect institutional data from attack, keep sensitive data confidential, and set systems protocols that comply with policies and regulations. In the Information Assurance and Cyber Security program in Computer Science, you will design systems and strategies for safeguarding information and gain real-world experience in preventing attacks to prepare you for a career as a sought-after cyber security professional.
- CIS 4362 - Applied Cryptography (Credits: 3)
- CIS 4367 - Computer Security (Credits: 3)
- CIS 4204 - Ethical Hacking (Credits: 3)
- CIS 4203 - Digital Forensics (Credits: 3)
Software Engineering
Software engineers apply the principles of engineering to software development. This growing field includes application software engineers who create and maintain computer applications, and systems software engineers who analyze the client’s technical needs and develop and maintain optimal solutions. Because nearly all employment sectors rely on complex software solutions, software engineering is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the world.
- CEN 4073 - Software Requirements Engineering (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4065 - Software Design and Architecture (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4072 - Software Verification and Quality Assurance (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4722 - User Interface and User Experience (Credits: 3)
Intelligent Mobility & Autonomous Systems
Students focusing on autonomous systems learn programming, hardware, and security for use in complex networks or collections of networks. Autonomous systems increasingly run our workplaces, vehicles, and even our homes.
- COP 4421 - Autonomous Systems Programming (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4613 - Applied Deep Learning (Credits: 3)
- ESI 4513 - Intelligent Mobility (Credits: 3)
- ESI 4011 - Data Analytics for Smart City & Transportation (Credits: 3) or ESI 3005 - Introduction to Networks and a Connected World (Credits: 3)
Computer Science Electives (6)
Any Computer Science concentration course listed above outside of a pursued concentration may be used in addition to the courses listed below to fulfill this requirement.
- COP 3834 - Web Application Development (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4088 - Software Security Testing (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4122 - Virtual Reality (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4213 - Embedded Systems Programming (Credits: 3)
- CIS 4369 - Web Application Security (Credits: 3)
- CNT 4409 - Network Security (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4410 - Computer Vision (Credits: 3)
- CNT 4526 - Wireless and Mobile Networking (Credits: 3)
- COP 4620 - Compilers and Interpreters (Credits: 3)
- COP 4656 - Mobile Device Applications (Credits: 3)
- EEL 4660 - Autonomous Robotic Systems (Credits: 3)
- CEN 4721 - Human-Computer Interaction (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4830 - Modeling and Simulation (Credits: 3)
- COP 4930 - Special Topics (Credits: 1-3)
- CAP 4613 - Applied Deep Learning (Credits: 3)
- MAD 3401 - Numerical Analysis (Credits: 3)
- MAP 2302 - Differential Equations (Credits: 3)
- HIM 3514 - Health Systems Modeling and Optimization (Credits: 3)
- CAP 4630 - Artificial Intelligence (Credits: 3)
- DIG 2520 - Digital Media Production (Credits: 3)
- COP 3604 - System Administration using UNIX (Credits: 3)
- COP 3809 - Advanced Topics in Programming (Credits: 3)
- Our graduates will possess strong and competitive skills and foundations in computer science.
- Our graduates will assume professional responsibilities in industry, government, or entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Our graduates will stay current with the advances in computer science.
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. Upon completion of the Computer Science program, graduates will have the ability to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and 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.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Your future as a trusted professional and confident problem solver begins with some essential skills. Your General Education courses give you:
- Critical Thinking Skills…so that you can both make and follow a reasoned argument and develop habits of organized thinking and rational analysis.
- Communication Skills…so that you can translate thoughts into words (spoken and written) and make the complex simple.
- Exposure to Arts/Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences … so that you see all problems in their larger human context.
- Mathematical Reasoning…so that you find and follow the quantitative thread connecting all scientific inquiry.
- Scientific Reasoning…so that you can apply the scientific method to phenomena big and small.
While computer scientists work across every industry, two — transportation and logistics, and finance — provide good examples of how a B.S. in Computer Science degree will always be relevant, and why you might want to further specialization as you advance through your career.
Job Growth
The US Department of Labor anticipates that employment of computer scientists will remain strong, predicting that the three STEM jobs with the most growth will all be in computing:
- 22,000 new software development jobs each year
- 12,500 new systems analysts jobs each year
- 11,000 new computing support jobs each year
Salary Ranges
Software developers earned an average salary of $108,080 in 2018. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2018: IT managers made $152,860, computer network architects made $111,130, computer systems analysts made $93,610, and computer programmers made $89,580.
Make Your Passion a Career
We're here to give you the resources to land your dream internship, work alongside faculty in groundbreaking research, and develop leadership skills to stand out in the workplace.
Internship Opportunities
Internships are an important part of setting you up for success after college and are a requirement for you to graduate.
Research Opportunities
Conduct research alongside faculty that is improving lives and changing businesses, with impact ranging from the local Lakeland community to the outer reaches of space.
Career Development
We understand the importance of feeling prepared, and we are committed to your success here and beyond. That's why we have resources to support you in your continued career development.