Mapping your Computer Science Major
Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your computer science major.
The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a biology major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.
Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic adviser.
Contact
| Student Success 301-696-3860 | Registrar 301-696-3620 | Center for Career Development & Experiential Education |
| College Catalog | Department of Computer Science & Information Technology | Computer Science (B.S.) |
Year One
Fall Semester | Credits |
CS 201 Computer Science I | 4 |
FYS 101 First Year Seminar | 3 |
Math 201 Calculus I | 4 |
ENGL 100 Elements of Composition | 4 |
Core - Health and Wellness/PE | 1 |
| 16 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CS 202 Computer Science II | 4 |
Math 202 Calculus II | 4 |
Core - Visual and Performing Arts | 3 |
MATH 207 Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
Core - Health and Wellness/PE | 1 |
| 15 |
Year Two
Fall Semester | Credits |
CS 219 Data Structures | 3 |
Core – Foreign Language 101 | 4 |
Core - Scientific Thought, Lab I* | 4 |
Core - Philosophical Inquiry | 3 |
| 14 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CS 226 Computer Organization | 3 |
CS 319 Algorithm Analysis | 3 |
Core - Foreign Language 102 | 4 |
Core - Scientific Thought, Lab II* | 4 |
Core -Methods of Inquiry | 3 |
| 17 |
Year Three
Fall Semester | Credits |
CS 324 Software Engineering | 3 |
CS 471 Programming Languages | 3 |
CS Elective (300-level+) | 3 |
Math 213 Statistics | 4 |
Elective | 3 |
| 16 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CS 329 DBMS | 3 |
CS 464 Operating Systems | 3 |
CS 453 Data Comm & Networking | 3 |
Core - Literary Analysis | 3 |
Core - Historical Analysis | 3 |
| 15 |
Year Four
Fall Semester | Credits |
CS 474 Capstone Proseminar | 3 |
CS 453 Data Commun. & Network Security | 3 |
CSIT 302 Impact of Computers on Society** | 3 |
CS 399 Internshipor CS Elective (300-level+) | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
| 15 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CS 475 Senior Project | 3 |
CS Elective (300-level+) | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
| 15 |
Total Credits = 124
* = Non-lab courses, CHEM 100, and courses for the nursing program do not count to meet the science requirements.
** = CSIT 302 Impact of Computers on Society meets the Core-Global Perspectives requirement.
The above plan is based on Calculus I mathematics placement. Student begins major courses in first year, first semester. Electives may be Honors program courses, a minor, additional major courses, or another subject of interest. Students may interchange when they take their Philosophical Inquiry, Visual & Performing Arts, Historical Analysis and Literary Analysis courses. There is some flexibility for interchanging the scheduling of Core and Elective courses, but it’s best not to leave too many requirements until the end.
Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence
The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.
Cultivate
Explore your Major and Related Occupations
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Explore careers in psychology through the Hood College website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings. | Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and consider locations for a computer science specific internship. | Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either internship or employment related. | Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either computer science internship or employment related. Be sure to include your research skills. |
Visit the What Can I Do With the Major?, and the CareerOneStop websites. | Explore club and engagement opportunities related to computer science. | Obtain an Internship, to gain work experience and college credit. | If you have already completed an internship consider doing a second internship experience, to gain additional work experience and/or college credit. |
Take the Focus 2 Career Assessment to learn more about additional areas of career interest. | If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest. |
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Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who are seeking computer science interns. |
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Engage
Locally and Globally
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Explore club and engagement opportunities related to computer science. | Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the computer science field. (Work with a faculty member or Career Center counselor to identify individuals). | Conduct more informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the computer science field. | Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the computer science field. |
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| Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework. |
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| Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the computer science field. | |
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Prepare
For Post-Graduation Success
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide low or no-cost services to those in need. | Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus. | Attend Chamber of Commerce industry related events. Speak with a Career Center counselor to learn more about these. | Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner. Register in advance for this event in Handshake. |
| Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need computer science interns. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who are recruiting new hires. |
| If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the job field. | Attend conferences of professional associations. | Attend conferences of professional associations. |
| Consider taking an exploratory micro-internship in your field of interest. Learn more about the Career Centers partnership with Parker Dewey micro-internships. | Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest. |
- Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
- Meet regularly with your academic adviser
- Work with tutors at the Writing Center
- Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships
Learn more about careers in computer science: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/computer-science/
- Operating systems
- Application systems
- Scientific
- Engineering
- Business
- Maintenance
- Research and development
- Computer systems design firms
- Software developers
- Data processing/Management firms
- Contract and temporary employers
- Most areas of business, government and non-governmental organizations:
- Financial institutions
- Insurance companies
- Consulting firms
- Manufacturers
- Computer companies
- Telecommunications companies
- Retailers
- Continued:
- Healthcare organizations
- Hotels and restaurants
- Entertainment companies
- Environmental management firms
- Transportation companies
- Education institutions
- Research institutions
- City, state, and federal government
Explore more career opportunities in computer science: https://www.onetonline.org/
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Choose a Pathway
Information will vary based on program level. Select a path to find the information you're looking for!