Computer Science students at Drake University huddle around laptops as they work on assignments

Computer Science Major

Be ready for the jobs of today—and tomorrow—with a Computer Science degree from Drake.

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What You'll Learn

Whenever you order something online, send a text, stream a video, charge a battery, take medicine, or do any of the dozens of tasks that are part of your everyday life, a combination of software, hardware, data, and programming plays a role. As a Computer Science major at Drake University, you’ll get the tools to contribute to this ever-evolving world.

At its core, computer science teaches you how to solve problems. Here, technical training introduces you to the theory and practice of computing—including computer programming, languages, logic, data structures, and applications. Courses in cloud computing, machine learning, computer graphics, database programming, algorithm analysis, software engineering, robotics, and cybersecurity build on this versatile foundation and highlight the expansive spectrum of computer science careers waiting for you.

You’ll couple this focus with a wide selection of classes in the liberal arts. That’s the heart of the Drake Curriculum: developing the kind of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities you’ll need to express ideas, tackle challenges, and advance tomorrow’s discoveries.

Throughout your time here, you’ll put the lessons you learn in class to work at internships for companies in the Des Moines area and beyond while also performing meaningful research in fields such as virtual reality, robotics, and meteorology.

About the Computer Science Major

No prior experience necessary: we’ll teach you the tools for success.
100% of recent Computer Science graduates have found employment within six months of graduation.
Join one of the fastest-growing programs on campus and craft a career with incredible prospects.
Get involved in research as early as your first semester.
Explore new technology and applications in a casual setting every Friday.
Learn in cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facilities, including the high-tech STEM@Drake complex.
Small class sizes promote individual learning.
All department faculty have earned PhDs but are accessible and committed to your growth.
Build a résumé-ready showcase in a capstone research project, required for graduation.
Drake Computer Science majors are prepared to pursue graduate programs in AI or professional work as AI specialists or machine learning engineers, or even to work in the field of AI policy.

Program Facts

120 total credits; 45 credits for the major
On campus
Full time

B.A. in Computer Science

Requiring fewer science classes, the Bachelor of Arts program covers the study of algorithms, object-oriented programming, and digital ethics. From here, design a course of study based on your passions with minors or a second major.

B.S. in Computer Science

The Bachelor of Science program proceeds through the same core and upper-division courses as the B.A. and includes the College of Arts and Sciences’ requirements for B.S. degree programs.

Computer Science Minor

In a tech-driven world, knowledge of computer science can set you apart in the job market. Learn the basics of computer architecture, object-oriented and assembly language programming, network and database management, and other introductory concepts.

Cybersecurity Minor

Discover the latest techniques to protect computer networks from threats such as malware, hacking, phishing, and other cyberattacks. The program, designed to complement any major, covers cybersecurity tools, policies, ethics, and legal implications of cybersecurity.

Dr. Christopher Porter

Associate Professor, Mathematics

Adam Case

Associate Professor, Computer Science

Dr. Eric Manley

Professor, Computer Science; College Assessment Coordinator

Andrei Migunov

Assistant Professor, Math/Computer Science

Dr. Meredith Moore

Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Md Alimoor Reza

Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Research

Any student, regardless of experience, can join the department’s undergraduate research group, which offers the chance to publish and present discoveries. Recent projects have included brain-computer interfaces for ADHD, sports analytics, and computer vision for robotics navigation.

A group meeting featuring Drake Computer Science students with their laptops

Student Organizations and Competitions

Meet other students, build your professional network, and explore topics outside the classroom in organizations such as the Drake Math & Problem Solving Group and Women in STEM. Or put your best to the test in the Drake Programming Group, which competes against other schools at the annual Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) programming contest.

Two Computer Science students from Drake complete an assignment during an internship

Internships

Computer Science students at Drake routinely land internships at some of the world’s biggest companies, including IBM, Google, and Microsoft. Find your ideal opportunity—from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies—in the online portal open to all students.

Drake Computer Science majors review coursework over well-lit laptops in a dark campus computer lab

Industry Preparation

Earn industry experience and course credit through our partnerships with the Vermeer Digital Bulldogs program, the Wellmark BlueX Technology Applied Learning Program, and the Hy-Vee Digital Readiness Program.

Working on a laptop, a Drake Computer Science students focuses on their independent study project outdoors

Independent Studies

Take what you’ve learned and push your boundaries with an independent study project. You’ll work closely with a faculty advisor, who will help you find a topic and stay on track.

Students from Drake's computer science program tackle a challenge during a coding competition

Scholarships

Students who demonstrate financial need and identify as part of an underrepresented group in tech may receive our Community of Digital Excellence (CODE) scholarship, which carries a $5,000 award. Explore all scholarships.

Careers & Skills

Drake’s Computer Science major will prepare you for graduate school and careers in computer applications such as software engineering. You’ll find company wherever you go: Drake graduates are employed in all 50 states and around the world.

You’ll learn technical skills in the classroom, through research projects, and real-world placements that meet the demands of today’s employers. As technology changes, you’ll find that the other skills you gain—to think critically and flexibly, to communicate clearly, and to collaborate with others—prepare you to adapt to every change.

Opportunities

Software development
Data analysis
Cybersecurity analysis
Database administrator
IT project manager
Systems analyst

Skills

Develop teamwork skills on group research projects
Approach problem solving as an art and a science
Learn to present your work at regional conferences
Gain up-to-date skills in cutting-edge technologies
Become a well-rounded thinker and learner

Using their laptops, Drake Computer Science students learn about potential career paths

Salary & Growth Outlook

Median salary for software developers in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

"I believe the biggest reason why Drake is a great school to study computer science is because of the faculty. They genuinely care about you as a person and will always help you with anything, even if it is for a class that they aren't teaching themselves."

Tommy Marrinan, AS’10

Mathematics, BA or BS

Explore problem-solving possibilities and real-world applications for mathematics in the classroom and beyond.

Data Analytics, BSBA

Study topics such as marketing, finance, corporate law, and organizational behavior, applying statistics and computer science to drive informed decision-making.

Quantitative Economics, BA or BSBA

Do more than observe society’s challenges—analyze them through the lens of mathematics, markets, and policy.

Take the Next Step

Few fields are growing as quickly as computer science. Be part of a major that trains you for the jobs that await.

Contact us

Chris Porter
Associate Professor; Program Director, Artificial Intelligence; Co-Chair, Math & Computer Science
515-271-3041
christopher.porter@drake.edu

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A student from Drake's Computer Science program reviews information on a laptop, with their glasses reflecting the screen