Computer Science

Develop computer programming skills which will enable you to work in the dynamic and ever-changing field of Computer Science. Learn methods of Computer Science useful in solving problems of science, industry, and government.

View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates

Students will learn how to analyze problems and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution along with current techniques, skills and tools necessary for computing practice. Students will learn how to design, implement, and evaluate computer-based systems to meet desired needs. A variety of programming languages is offered. The program can lead to careers as a Database Applications Developer, Programmer, Software Engineer, System Analyst, or Web Developer.

Program Length

Four semesters are usually needed to complete degree requirements.

Transfer Options

The program offers a wide range of computer science and mathematics courses students need with their transfer. The program offers students with a comprehensive curriculum for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Program Specific Support

The Student Success Center offers free tutoring services which are available to all students enrolled in Computer Science courses. Computer lab access is available to those students enrolled in courses that require specialized software which is installed on the computers in the Student Success Center. The center also has a 3D printer, scanners, and a regular print station available for student use. Tutoring is available year-round, during fall, spring and summer sessions.

Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates

Sample Academic Plans

Fast Track Career Path

AS CSU Transfer UC Transfer

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CAL-GETC AREA / MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1000 (WR 1)	Academic Reading and Writing	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	2 & Major	5
Arts, Humanities, or Social & Behavioral Sciences	Arts, Humanities, or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course	3 or 4	3
CS 36	C Programming	Major	3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CAL-GETC AREA / MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1001 (WR 2)	Critical Thinking and Writing	1B	4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	2 & Major	5
PHYS 4A	General Physics	5A & Major	4
CS 37	C++ Programming	Major	3

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CAL-GETC AREA / MAJOR	Units
MATH 4A	Analytic Geometry and Calculus III	2 & Major	5

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CAL-GETC AREA / MAJOR	Units
PHYS 4B**	General Physics	5A and Major	4
MATH 26	Introduction to Linear Algebra	2 & Major	4
CS 6A	Computer Discrete Mathematics I	Major	3
CS 40A	Computer Organization and Assembly Language I	Major	3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	CAL-GETC AREA / MAJOR	Units
PHYS 4C**	General Physics	5A and Major	4
MATH 24	Elementary Differential Equations	2 & Major	4
CS 40B	Computer Organization and Assembly Language II	Major	3
CS 41	Data Structures	Major	3

This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
Some UC campuses may require or recommend two or three physics course for transfer admissions for computer science majors. Please check assist.org and each UC campus transfer admissions website for details.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1000 (WR 1)	Academic Reading and Writing	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	2 & Major	5
Arts, Humanities, or Social & Behavioral Sciences	Arts, Humanities, or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course	3 or 4	3
CS 36	C Programming	Major	3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1001 (WR 2)	Critical Thinking and Writing	1B	4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	2 & Major	5
PHYS 4A**	General Physics	5A & Major	4
CS 37***	C++ Programming	Major	3

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
MATH 4A	Analytic Geometry and Calculus III	2 & Major	5

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
MATH 26	Introduction to Linear Algebra	2 & Major	4
CS 6B	Computer Discrete Mathematics II	Major	3
CS 40A	Computer Organization and Assembly Language I	Major	3
CS 41***	Data Structures	Major	3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
MATH 24	Elementary Differential Equations	2 & Major	4
CS 6A	Computer Discrete Mathematics I	Major	3
CS 40B	Computer Organization and Assembly Language II	Major	3
CS 10***	Introduction to Programming using Python	Major	3

This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
UCI does not require physic courses for computer science majors; however, some other UC campuses will require or recommend physics courses for transfer admissions.
UCI required CS 37, CS 41, and CS 10 in that specific order to receive articulation credit for UCI's I&C SCI 31 and 32

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1000 (WR 1)	Academic Reading and Writing	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	2 & Major	5
CS 38**	Java Programming	Major	3
COMM C1000 (COMM 1)	Introduction to Public Speaking	1C	3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
ENGL C1001 (WR 2)	Critical Thinking and Writing	1B	4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	Major	5
CS 6A	Computer Discrete Mathematics I	Major	3
Ethnic Studies	Ethnic Studies GE Course	F	3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
CS 40A	Computer Organization and Assembly Language I	Major	3
PHYS 4A	General Physics	5A/5C & Major	4
HIST 20 or HIST 21	American History Course	3B	3
ARTS	Arts GE Course	3A	3
Social Science	Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course	4	3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	Cal-GETC AREA/MAJOR	Units
PHYS 4B	General Physics	5A/5C & Major	4
CS 41	Data Structures	Major	3
Transfer Elective	CSU Transfer Elective		3
POLS C1000 (PS 1)	American Government and Politics	4	3
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE	Biological Science GE Course	5B	3

This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.
It is highly recommended that students with no previous programming experience should take at least CS10 or CS36 before CS38.

Semester 1

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
ENGL C1000 (WR 1)	Academic Reading and Writing	1A	4
MATH 3A*	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I	2 & Major	5
CS 10	Introduction to Programming using Python	Major	3
CS 1	Introduction to Computer Systems	Major	3

Semester 2

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
ENGL C1001 (WR 2)	Critical Thinking and Writing	1B	4
MATH 3B	Analytic Geometry and Calculus II	2 & Major	5
PHYS 4A	General Physics	5	4
CS 36	C Programming	Major	3

Summer

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
CS 38	Java Programming	Major	3

Semester 3

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
MATH 4A	Analytic Geometry and Calculus III	2 & Major	5
ETHNIC STUDIES	Ethnic Studies GE Course	6	3
CS 40A	Computer Organization and Assembly Language I	Major	3
CS 37	C++ Programming	Major	3

Semester 4

Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course	Title	AS GE Area/Major	Units
CS 41	Data Structures	Major	3
SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES	Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course	4	3
CS 40B or CS6A or CS6B	Computer Organization and Assembly Language II or Computer Discrete Mathematics I or Computer Discrete Mathematics II	Major	3
Arts/Humanities	Arts or Humanities GE Course	Area C	3

This sample academic plan assumes that student is eligible for Math 3A in the first semester.

*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.

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%

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%

Computer and Information Scientists

Median Salary

$137,509

Job Growth

+17%

Education

Some College
8%

Bachelor's Degree
36%

Master's Degree
23%

Doctoral or More
33%

View Career

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

New workers start around $77,314. Normal pay is $137,509 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $208,248.

Education

Some College
8%

Bachelor's Degree
36%

Master's Degree
23%

Doctoral or More
33%

Core Tasks

Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Design computers and the software that runs them.
Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.

Median Salary

$137,509

Job Growth

+17%

Computer User Support Specialists

Median Salary

$57,745

Job Growth

-1%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
22%

Certificate
12%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
14%

Bachelor's Degree
33%

View Career

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

New workers start around $36,287. Normal pay is $57,745 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $100,283.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
22%

Certificate
12%

Some College
19%

Associate's Degree
14%

Bachelor's Degree
33%

Core Tasks

Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.

Median Salary

$57,745

Job Growth

-1%

Database Administrators

Median Salary

$98,217

Job Growth

+13%

Education

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
77%

Master's Degree
15%

View Career

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

New workers start around $54,314. Normal pay is $98,217 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $168,352.

Education

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
77%

Master's Degree
15%

Core Tasks

Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.
Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.
Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.
Train users and answer questions.
Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.
Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
Develop data model describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.

Median Salary

$98,217

Job Growth

+13%

Data Warehousing Specialists

Median Salary

$98,217

Job Growth

+13%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
4%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
78%

Master's Degree
4%

View Career

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

New workers start around $54,314. Normal pay is $98,217 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $168,352.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
4%

Some College
4%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
78%

Master's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Develop data warehouse process models, including sourcing, loading, transformation, and extraction.
Verify the structure, accuracy, or quality of warehouse data.
Map data between source systems, data warehouses, and data marts.
Develop and implement data extraction procedures from other systems, such as administration, billing, or claims.
Design and implement warehouse database structures.
Develop or maintain standards, such as organization, structure, or nomenclature, for the design of data warehouse elements, such as data architectures, models, tools, and databases.
Provide or coordinate troubleshooting support for data warehouses.
Write new programs or modify existing programs to meet customer requirements, using current programming languages and technologies.
Design, implement, or operate comprehensive data warehouse systems to balance optimization of data access with batch loading and resource utilization factors, according to customer requirements.
Perform system analysis, data analysis or programming, using a variety of computer languages and procedures.
Create supporting documentation, such as metadata and diagrams of entity relationships, business processes, and process flow.
Create or implement metadata processes and frameworks.
Review designs, codes, test plans, or documentation to ensure quality.
Create plans, test files, and scripts for data warehouse testing, ranging from unit to integration testing.
Select methods, techniques, or criteria for data warehousing evaluative procedures.
Implement business rules via stored procedures, middleware, or other technologies.
Prepare functional or technical documentation for data warehouses.
Test software systems or applications for software enhancements or new products.

Median Salary

$98,217

Job Growth

+13%

Not sure if Computer Science is the right fit?

Exploratory Interest Area

Explore Computer Science while still working toward your academic goals.

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Talk with a Counselor

Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.

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Career Preparation

With Fast Track Career Paths, at IVC, we give you the tools to quickly enter the workforce and start making money.

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Looking to transfer to a four-year university? With #1 in transfers in Orange County to the UC System, IVC is the best place to start!

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Finish Your Path at IVC

Find Your Path

Become an IVC Student

Guide to Paying for College

Supporting You

Welcome Lasers

Finish Your Path at IVC

Computer Science

Program Length

Transfer Options

Program Specific Support