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Computer Science

Are you interested in a career that combines your passion with technology?  Consider obtaining a degree in Computer Science from McDaniel. An understanding of coding, software engineering and other computing skills easily translates into various industries ranging from healthcare, education and the military, to careers with companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Facebook. Investing in a degree in Computer Science from McDaniel is guaranteed to set you up for success!

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Why McDaniel for your Computer Science degree?

A degree in Computer Science from McDaniel College provides a comprehensive education in the fundamentals of computing, including core topics such as algorithms, logic, mathematics and linguistics, as well as related disciplines like engineering and philosophy.

Students will be taught problem solving skills and develop critical thinking through hands-on experience in Mac and PC labs; our new Computer Science Server Lab will also give students the opportunity to work with networks and create unique projects. With this knowledge base, graduates are prepared to pursue graduate studies or a career software development.

Future Careers in Computer Science

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 58% of all new jobs in STEM fields are in computer science. And with multiple major and minor options at McDaniel, you can customize your degree to suit any career field. Flexible research and internship possibilities, paired with foundational courses and specialized electives, will prepare you for graduate school studies or success in the workforce when you graduate. Frequently our graduates return to discuss career opportunities in mathematics and computer science at annual Career Nights. 

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58%

of new STEM field jobs are in computer science.

McDaniel Computer Science graduates have gone into careers as software developers, IT managers, network administrators, and many more. Recent graduates are currently working as:

  • Mathematician, Pentagon
  • Systems engineer, EDS
  • Cartographer, Defense Mapping Agency
  • Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Senior programmer/analyst, Sentient HealthCare
  • NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
  • Vice President, Dean Witter Reynolds
  • Chief, Computer Science Division, Department of Defense (NSA)
  • Senior Computer Programmer, National Geographic Society
  • Senior Accountant, Homewood Hospital Center
  • Programming Analyst, Datatel Corporation

I'm doing entirely new things, and I feel like I got a strong foundation at McDaniel. Summer research was so big for me. It was the first time I realized that there might not be a single answer to a problem. I think that really prepared me for new things that nobody had ever done before.
Sal Wright '19

Distinctive Courses

The Computer Science program is designed to present students with the concept of an algorithm on four different levels:

  • The Discrete Mathematics course provides a mathematical foundation for the study of this concept.
  • The notion of algorithm first appears in The Art of Programming course, where algorithms are expressed in a language understandable by computers.
  • Computer Organization addresses the way programs are internally processed by the machines.
  • The Data Structures and Algorithms courses advance from programs in a specific programming language to a more general paradigm of a language-independent algorithm on abstract data structures.

The Theory of Computation course concludes the required sequence with a general discussion of what an abstract computing device is and what classes of problems can and cannot be solved algorithmically.

CSC 2222 - Database Design & Management

An introduction to database management systems that examines both the relational and semi-structured data models. Topics will include design principles, query languages, data dependencies, and optimization techniques.

PHY 2202 - Intermediate Mechanics

This course covers classical Newtonian and Lagrangian mechanics as applied to the motion of particles and systems. Specific topics include solutions to Newton’s laws in the presence of retarding forces; conservation theorems; harmonic, damped, and forced oscillations, and resonance phenomena; phase-space diagrams; gravity and gravitational potential; Hamilton’s principle, Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations of motion, and generalized coordinates; central force motion and orbits in a central field; linear and angular momentum of a system of particles; and the dynamics of rigid bodies and the moments of inertia.

CSC 3107 - Data Science with Python

This course is an introduction to the field of Data Sciences. The latest concepts and principles in Data Sciences such as understanding data, data modeling, computational techniques for analyzing data, data visualization, data quality and the basics of security issues regarding data will be introduced. This course will equip students with applied and hands-on skills to use data analysis techniques for solving practical problems.

CSC 4490 - Industry CS Certification

This capstone course provides undergraduate Computer Science students with the opportunity to prepare for and earn an industry-recognized professional certification relevant to their career goals. Students will research and select a certification pathway-such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science, software development, or networking-and complete guided study, practice exams, and hands-on projects aligned with certification objectives. The course emphasizes professional readiness, technical competency, and independent learning skills valued by employers. Students will document their preparation process, reflect on career implications, present their work at the academic symposium or equivalent public venue, and complete the chosen certification exam as part of their final assessment.

Computer Science Program Requirements

Computer Science Major Computer Science Minor
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Tell us a little about yourself and we'll share updates & information. (We'll also make sure you don't miss any important deadlines.)

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See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

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The McDaniel Commitment in Action

The McDaniel Commitment—a series of opportunities guaranteed to all students—provides enhanced mentoring and coaching, and ensures every undergraduate student completes at least two meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

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Study Abroad

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Internships

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Research

Computer Science Internships

As part of the Computer Science major, we guarantee an internship opportunity to provide you with work experience and a gateway to a future career.

Internship Procedures Internship Opportunities
A mal student wearing a black shirt and pants sits by a window with his hands on a laptop.

Systems engineering internship prepares Computer Science major for national security career Hands-On Experience

National Security Fellow Liam Estell, a Computer Science major and Political Science minor, interned with Peraton Inc., bringing him one step closer to his dream career as a programmer supporting national security efforts.

Read the full story.
Two students collaborate at a computer.

Practical applications Machine learning research prepares Computer Science majors for competitive careers Student-Faculty Summer Research Program

During research on ASL and object recognition with Computer Science and Mathematics professors Ting Zhang and Paul Lin, six Computer Science majors used machine learning techniques to create computer models that work in ways similar to the human mind.

Read "Machine learning research prepares Computer Science majors for competitiv…
Seth Marple headshot

From Computer Science major to Company Founder Meet Seth Marple '12

Seth Marple ’12 graduated with dual majors in English and Computer Science and a minor in Writing before going on to get a master’s degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. Marple is the co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) of Calibyr Corporation, which was recently named the third fastest-growing private company in the Mid-Atlantic by Inc. Regionals for achieving 1,225% growth between 2021 and 2023 and ranked 212 on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for achieving 1,825% growth between 2021 and 2024.

Read the full Q&A with Seth

Green Terror Alumni

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Alumni Spotlight Jack Sears ’26 Computer Science & Mathematics majors

When he first stepped onto the Hill in middle school, Jack Sears was nowhere near planning for college. Little did he know this very campus would someday become the setting for him to create his own internship, set multiple athletic records, and become a leader to his peers.

Olanrewaju Oluwaseyi Abayomi

Alumni Spotlight Olanrewaju Oluwaseyi Abayomi '25 Computer Science major

Transfer student Olanrewaju Oluwaseyi Abayomi quickly found his footing on the Hill, getting involved as a peer mentor in the Center for Experience and Opportunity, ambassador in the Admissions Office, and as a resident assistant. Soon enough, his soccer coach, Steve Corrieri, even began calling him “Mr. McDaniel.” Working toward his future, he has enrolled in McDaniel’s five-year B.A.-to-M.S. program in Data Analytics.

Katherine Martinez Contreras - Class of 2024

Alumni Spotlight Katherine Martinez-Contreras '24 Computer Science major

First-generation student Katherine Martinez-Contreras discovered she was an extrovert throughout her time on the Hill, which was especially useful in her role as a resident assistant. Her capstone involved creating a to-do list app for Google Pixel phones, and her future career goals involve earning a graduate degree in cyber security.

Photo of professor Paul Lin speaking with students at a computer.

Paul Lin, Ph.D. Faculty Spotlight

In courses like Algorithms, The Art of Programming, and Data Structures, you'll learn Computer Science from expert Paul Lin. “No matter what profession you are pursuing, the bits and bytes you learn from a Computer Science course will enrich your field of study and broaden your career path,” he says.

Read a Q&A with Paul Lin, Ph.D.

Related Programs

Mathematics Physics Data Analytics, M.S. (STEM Designated with Day-1 CPT) Biology
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Keep in Touch

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll share updates & information. (We'll also make sure you don't miss any important deadlines.)

Request More Info
mapsearch Created with Sketch.

See Yourself Here

Take your first steps on the Hill! Visiting campus is one of the best ways to determine if McDaniel is right for you.

Visit McDaniel
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