Mathematics & Computer Sciences

Interest Area

Explore how numbers and algorithms help us understand the world. Students who complete an area of study in Mathematics and Computer Sciences will increase their critical thinking and analytical skills. Students will also learn how to systematically approach and develop algorithms that solve complex problems in any area that they study. These skills will aid students in their decision making, enabling them to enter the workforce well-prepared and setting them up to be successful in their chosen career. Areas of study include Mathematics and Computer Sciences.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Computer Science

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS

Mathematics

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AS

Explore Careers

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Median Salary

$169,201

Job Growth

+6%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Certificate
6%

Some College
26%

Associate's Degree
2%

Bachelor's Degree
50%

Master's Degree
14%

View Career

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

New workers start around $101,268. Normal pay is $169,201 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $361,264.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Certificate
6%

Some College
26%

Associate's Degree
2%

Bachelor's Degree
50%

Master's Degree
14%

Core Tasks

Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
Stay abreast of advances in technology.
Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.
Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
Review and approve all systems charts and programs prior to their implementation.
Prepare and review operational reports or project progress reports.
Evaluate data processing proposals to assess project feasibility and requirements.
Control operational budget and expenditures.
Purchase necessary equipment.

Median Salary

$169,201

Job Growth

+6%

Natural Sciences Managers

Median Salary

$162,573

Job Growth

+13%

Education

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
37%

Master's Degree
15%

Doctoral or More
40%

View Career

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

New workers start around $96,512. Normal pay is $162,573 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $274,124.

Education

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
37%

Master's Degree
15%

Doctoral or More
40%

Core Tasks

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
Prepare project proposals.
Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
Conduct own research in field of expertise.
Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.
Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.

Median Salary

$162,573

Job Growth

+13%

Security Management Specialists

Median Salary

$76,664

Job Growth

+7%

Education

Certificate
8%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
69%

Master's Degree
4%

View Career

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

New workers start around $36,807. Normal pay is $76,664 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $146,779.

Education

Certificate
8%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
15%

Bachelor's Degree
69%

Master's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Train personnel in security procedures or use of security equipment.
Assess the nature and level of physical security threats so that the scope of the problem can be determined.
Budget and schedule security design work.
Conduct security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities related to physical security or staff safety.
Design security policies, programs, or practices to ensure adequate security relating to alarm response, access card use, and other security needs.
Design, implement, or establish requirements for security systems, video surveillance, motion detection, or closed-circuit television systems to ensure proper installation and operation.
Develop conceptual designs of security systems.
Develop or review specifications for design or construction of security systems.
Engineer, install, maintain, or repair security systems, programmable logic controls, or other security-related electronic systems.
Inspect fire, intruder detection, or other security systems.
Inspect physical security design features, installations, or programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
Interview witnesses or suspects to identify persons responsible for security breaches or to establish losses, pursue prosecutions, or obtain restitution.
Monitor tapes or digital recordings to identify the source of losses.
Monitor the work of contractors in the design, construction, and startup phases of security systems.
Outline system security criteria for pre-bid meetings with clients and companies to ensure comprehensiveness and appropriateness for implementation.
Perform risk analyses so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed.
Prepare documentation for case reports or court proceedings.
Prepare, maintain, or update security procedures, security system drawings, or related documentation.
Provide system design and integration recommendations.
Recommend improvements in security systems or procedures.
Respond to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
Review design drawings or technical documents for completeness, correctness, or appropriateness.
Test security measures for final acceptance and implement or provide procedures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the measures.

Median Salary

$76,664

Job Growth

+7%

Computer Systems Analysts

Median Salary

$107,278

Job Growth

+2%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
3%

Certificate
6%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
29%

Bachelor's Degree
45%

Master's Degree
14%

View Career

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

New workers start around $62,038. Normal pay is $107,278 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $173,103.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
3%

Certificate
6%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
29%

Bachelor's Degree
45%

Master's Degree
14%

Core Tasks

Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
Develop, document, and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.
Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.
Define the goals of the system and devise flow charts and diagrams describing logical operational steps of programs.
Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.

Median Salary

$107,278

Job Growth

+2%

Health Informatics Specialists

Median Salary

$107,278

Job Growth

+2%

Education

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
50%

Master's Degree
41%

Doctoral or More
5%

View Career

Apply knowledge of nursing and informatics to assist in the design, development, and ongoing modification of computerized health care systems. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the health care system.

New workers start around $62,038. Normal pay is $107,278 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $173,103.

Education

Associate's Degree
5%

Bachelor's Degree
50%

Master's Degree
41%

Doctoral or More
5%

Core Tasks

Translate nursing practice information between nurses and systems engineers, analysts, or designers using object-oriented models or other techniques.
Design, develop, select, test, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision-support mechanisms to support patients, health care professionals, and their information management and human-computer and human-technology interactions within health care contexts.
Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
Develop, implement, or evaluate health information technology applications, tools, processes, or structures to assist nurses with data management.
Analyze and interpret patient, nursing, or information systems data to improve nursing services.
Identify, collect, record, or analyze data that are relevant to the nursing care of patients.
Use informatics science to design or implement health information technology applications to resolve clinical or health care administrative problems.
Analyze computer and information technologies to determine applicability to nursing practice, education, administration, and research.
Develop strategies, policies or procedures for introducing, evaluating, or modifying information technology applied to nursing practice, administration, education, or research.
Provide consultation to nurses regarding hardware or software configuration.
Develop or implement policies or practices to ensure the privacy, confidentiality, or security of patient information.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in informatics.
Develop or deliver training programs for health information technology, creating operating manuals as needed.
Disseminate information about nursing informatics science and practice to the profession, other health care professions, nursing students, and the public.
Design, conduct, or provide support to nursing informatics research.
Inform local, state, national, and international health policies related to information management and communication, confidentiality and security, patient safety, infrastructure development, and economics.

Median Salary

$107,278

Job Growth

+2%

Information Security Analysts

Median Salary

$114,712

Job Growth

+23%

Education

Certificate
7%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
13%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

Master's Degree
3%

View Career

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

New workers start around $69,285. Normal pay is $114,712 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $165,880.

Education

Certificate
7%

Some College
2%

Associate's Degree
13%

Bachelor's Degree
75%

Master's Degree
3%

Core Tasks

Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors.
Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.
Train users and promote security awareness to ensure system security and to improve server and network efficiency.

Median Salary

$114,712

Job Growth

+23%

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Mathematics & Computer Sciences

School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Computer Science

Mathematics

Explore Careers

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Natural Sciences Managers

Security Management Specialists

Computer Systems Analysts

Health Informatics Specialists

Information Security Analysts

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

Mathematics & Computer Sciences

School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences Contact

Programs of Study

Computer Science

Mathematics

Explore Careers

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Natural Sciences Managers

Security Management Specialists

Computer Systems Analysts

Health Informatics Specialists

Information Security Analysts

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Physical Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

The Arts

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