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Computer ScienceMajor

Computer Science majors learn to program, but they also learn how to use computers to solve problems and develop the skills to pursue great careers in fields like data analytics, software development, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence.

By the numbers1

Software developers rank No. 1 in The 100 Best Jobs, Best Technology Jobs and Best STEM Jobs. (U.S. News & World Report, 2018)

Overview

What is Computer Science at WVU like?

Description

Computer science is a discipline that involves the understanding and design of computational processes. The discipline ranges from a theoretical study of algorithms and information processing in general, to a practical design of efficient and reliable software that meets given specifications. This differs from most physical sciences, engineering included, that separate theoretical underpinnings of the science from applications within it.

Computer Science program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Cybersecurity

Elective Focuses

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Theory of Computing
  • Software and Knowledge Engineering
  • Computer Systems

Fast Facts

What makes Computer Science at WVU unique?

Dual Major

This major offers the option to simultaneously complete a second bachelor's degree in:

Research and Academic Opportunities

Our undergraduates have conducted research in human/computer interface, social media, biometrics data acquisition and algorithms for machine learning. This research has been sponsored in the summer by Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) undergraduate scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Computer Science. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • CS 101: Intro to Computer Applications

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Our graduates have found employment or internships at Leidos, KeyLogic, NASA IV&V, IBM, Northrop Grumman, Red Hat, National Security Agency and QolSys.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Computer Science major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Computer Science at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Computer Science major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

CS 420:
Design of Algorithms

Algorithm design paradigms: divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, greedy. Advanced data structures: balanced search trees, mergeable heaps, union-find. Introduction to computational complexity. Selected topics such as backtracking, branch-and-bound, amortized analysis, approximation algorithms.

CS 453:
Data and Computer Communications

or consent for non-majors. An in-depth study of the Internet, networking fundamentals, protocols, algorithms, and principles of distributed computing, introduction to network security and management.

CS 465:
Introduction to Cybersecurity

Covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including encryption, malicious code, authentication and access control, database security, operating system security, and network security. Provides students with a comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity threats, technologies for information assurance, and engineering approaches to build and maintain secure computer systems and networks.

CS 472:
Artificial Intelligence

Survey of AI techniques, heuristic search, game playing, and knowledge representation schemes: logic, semantic net, frames, rule-based; natural language processing, advanced AI techniques/systems: planning, blackboard architecture, neural net model; AI implementation. (3 hr. lec.)

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills. Projects in WVU's Computer Science major have included:

Cost and Aid

How much does Computer Science at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $454
Per Semester $5,448
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,896
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,200
Per Semester $14,400
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,800
International
Per Credit $1,200
Per Semester $14,700
Fall and Spring Semesters $29,400
Scholarship Chart

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Early College Program

Get a head start (and save money) in our High School ACCESS program for high school students. Choose from online, on-campus or dual credit courses that fulfill requirements for general education or Computer Science. Online courses to consider for this major include:

  • CS 101: Intro to Computer Applications

Learn About Our HS ACCESS Early College Program

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources may qualify for merit-based scholarships based on GPA and SAT/ACT test score. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Computer Science at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Computer Science major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2023-24 academic year. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements:
  • ACT Math: 19
  • SAT Math: 510
Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students:
  • GPA: 3.00

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Computer Science major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Computer Science at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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