Both the B.S. in Computer Science and the B.S. in Computer Programming provide substantial experience developing software on teams, preparing students for a successful career as a software engineer or project manager.
The computer programming degree has less extensive math and science requirements than the computer science degree. This precludes accreditation of the computer programming degree but provides the flexibility to minor in other disciplines.
The computer science degree provides an advanced understanding of the mathematical underpinnings of computing and the ability to analyze algorithms in detail, important for students who wish to pursue graduate work in computer science. Due to the additional depth of the computer science degree, students who begin pursuing this degree can more easily switch to the computer programming degree than students who desire to switch from computer programming to computer science.
See below for similarities and differences between the two degrees:
The additional general elective credits in the computer programming degree provide more flexibility for scheduling minors than would typically fit into a four-year plan with the comprehensive curriculum of the computer science degree — minors such as design, Christian ministries, exercise science, or writing. Computer programming can be used to solve problems in virtually every discipline at the College. The computer programming degree prepares a student with dual expertise in both computing and the other selected domain.
Students who are interested in pursuing a minor with either of these degrees can work with their academic advisors to develop a customized plan of study that accounts for any transfer or AP course credit.