Computer Science

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Program Overview

As computational thinking and processes permeate our daily lives, computer science has the ability to revolutionize our understanding of our natural world, our industries, and even ourselves. A degree in Computer Science from Fairfield University provides both marketable skills and intellectual breadth that can be applied to any career choice.

Fairfield’s computer science curriculum encompasses a truly unique combination of experiences:

  • Experiential Hands-On Learning: A unique curriculum guarantees computer science students the equivalent of 20 months of real-world experience through a sophomore year service-learning initiative, a junior year entrepreneurial experience, and an industry-based senior capstone project.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Engineering Exposure: As part of the School of Engineering, computer science students have access to other engineering disciplines and engineering-heavy industries, which expands career opportunities exponentially.
  • Student Mentoring: By volunteering as high school mentors, students learn valuable management skills, they become comfortable explaining highly technical concepts simply and clearly, and they experience the satisfaction of sharing their knowledge to help others.
  • Liberal Arts Core: A strong foundation in the liberal arts encourages engineers to think critically, design imaginatively, communicate clearly and collaborate productively. 
  • Academic/Research Activities and Internship: Companies from a variety of domains, such as The Weather Company (visualization), Servo-Robot (artificial intelligence and user interface design), Federal Aviation Administration (software engineering and data mining), Saugatuck Energy (artificial intelligence) have an on-campus presence and provide computer science students opportunities to interact with industry leaders.

At Fairfield, undergraduate students can pursue multiple degree options as follows: a BS degree in computer science, a BA degree in computer science, or a minor in computer science.

Accreditation

ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) Accreditation

Fairfield University’s four-year Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs Criteria.

Program Educational Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what alumni do within a few years following graduation. The Computer Science and Engineering program is committed to graduating engineers who within a few years of their graduation are expected to:

  • Apply their in-depth understanding in areas of computer science and engineering to solve problems in a modern technological society as productive computer scientists or engineers and/or enter and succeed in a graduate program.
  • Function effectively, both individually and within multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Continue as lifelong learner to develop their computing and engineering abilities, problem-solving skills, and aptitude for innovation.
  • Practice professional ethics with social and cyber responsibility through service in the framework of a global technical community.

Student Learning Outcomes

Computer Science students will graduate from the program with the ability to perform and execute the following:

1

Analyze

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.

2

Design & Develop

Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.

3

Communicate

Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.

4

Recognize

Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

5

Cooperate & Collaborate

Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.

6

Produce Solutions

Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Computer Science

Fall 2017 Enrollment: 2017 Graduates:
31 2
Fall 2018 Enrollment 2018 Graduates
46 11
Fall 2019 Enrollment 2019 Graduates
77 2
Fall 2020 Enrollment 2020 Graduates
105 6
Fall 2021 Enrollment 2021 Graduates
103 18
Fall 2022 Enrollment 2022 Graduates
91 22
Fall 2023 Enrollment 2023 Graduates
87 26

Requirements

The BS in Computer Science program supports the mission of the University by providing a curriculum focusing on the most advanced practices of computer science through continued assessment by employers, alumni, faculty and students. The Computer Science BS program is preparing for accreditation by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The BA in Computer Science program supports the mission of the University by providing a flexible curriculum focusing on the advanced practices of computer science grounded in a strong liberal arts core curriculum. Students have the flexibility to choose a wider range of elective courses, which can also allow them to pursue a variety of minors or even double majors.

To earn a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, students will prepare a custom plan of study.

Required Courses

Digital Design I and Digital Design I Lab
Introduction to Computing (placement based)
OR
Fundamentals of Engineering
Fundamentals of Programming
Programming Workshop and Programming Workshop Lab
Data Structures and Data Structures Lab
Calculus I for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors
Calculus II for Chemistry, Engineering, and Physics Majors
Discrete Mathematics
Two (2) Mathematics electives
Computer Systems Architecture
Computer Science Sophomore Clinic
Web Development
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Computer Science Junior Clinic I
Computer Science Junior Clinic II
Theory of Programming Languages
Senior Design Project I
Senior Design Project II
Software Engineering Methods
Software Design Methods
Five (5) Computer Science and Engineering Major electives
Introduction to Computing
Fundamentals of Programming
Programming Workshop and Programming Workshop Lab
Data Structures and Data Structures Lab
Computer Science Sophomore Clinic
Web Development
Computer Science Junior Clinic I
Computer Science Junior Clinic II
Theory of Programming Languages
Software Engineering Methods
Software Design Methods
Four (4) Major electives
Introduction to Computing
Fundamentals of Programming
Programming Workshop and Programming Workshop Lab
Data Structures and Data Structures Lab
Two (2) Computer Science electives

Visit our our academic catalog for detailed course descriptions and more information.

A Closer Look at Experiential Hands-On Learning

Latest Computer Science News

StartUp Showcase Team: Golden Guardian Solutions Helps Prevent Elderly-Targeted Internet Fraud

Computer science majors Sarah Leonetti ’24 and Nicole Perugini '24 were assigned a class project to develop a business idea they could bring to market. The idea the group selected evolved into what the team will pitch as Golden Guardian Solutions (GGS) on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Fairfield StartUp Showcase. GGS is a web app dedicated to providing family members who could be targets of cyber fraud with peace of mind through data traffic analysis.

More About Computer Science

Five-Year Dual-Degrees

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Five-Year Dual-Degrees

Five-Year Dual-Degree BS/MS Program in Computer Science & Software Engineering

A five-year program is offered in Software Engineering at Fairfield's School of Engineering, leading to a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science dual degree. This program embraces the educational objectives of the BS undergraduate program in computer science, as well as those of the graduate program in Software Engineering. It emphasizes experiential learning in terms of industrial internships following the sophomore year, and a final capstone project that guides students through a process of design and innovation at the level of a professional engineer. Graduates of the program master the knowledge and tools they need to create the next generation of software solutions to ever more complex technological and societal problems.

Check out the Course Catalog for the Software Engineering Five-Year Dual Degree Bachelor and Master of Science Program requirements and course descriptions.

Five-Year Dual-Degree BA/MS Program in Computer Science & Data Science

A five-year program is offered in data science at Fairfield's School of Engineering, leading to a bachelor of arts and master of science dual degree. This program embraces the educational objectives of the BA undergraduate program in Computer science, as well as those of the graduate program in data science. It emphasizes experiential learning in terms of industrial internships following the sophomore year, and a final capstone project that guides students through a process of design and innovation at the level of a professional engineer. Graduates of the program master the knowledge and tools they need to create the next generation of data science solutions to ever more complex technological and societal problems.

Check out the Course Catalog for the Data Science Five-Year Dual Degree Bachelor and Master of Science Program requirements and course descriptions.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Four Students sitting together talking to each other in common srrea 

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

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Life After Fairfield

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Life After Fairfield

The School of Engineering aims to graduate students with leading-edge engineering skills and additional competencies in oral and written communications and critical thinking who possess:

  • A well-developed cultural orientation
  • An understanding of economic values
  • A sense of ethical and social responsibility

Fairfield's engineering programs graduate liberally educated engineers equipped with knowledge and experiential skills so they may successfully enter the mainstream of industrial/manufacturing activity, education, or government service, or to continue with postgraduate studies. Our close interactions with industry enable employment of our graduates in all sectors of industry, government, and academe.

Learn how Fairfield's Career Services can support your post-graduate goals, and how our tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.

Visit the Career Center

Internships

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Internships

There are two types of internships students can attain: internships for academic credit and non-credit internships. Internships for academic credit must be approved by faculty and are connected to an academic course. Some departments have lists of available for-credit internships and some may approve internships that you find on your own as well.

Visit the Career Center

School of Engineering Update

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School of Engineering Update

We invite you to view the School of Engineering Update, a year in review of School of Engineering News.

Read the School of Engineering Update (PDF)

Faculty

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Faculty

The School of Engineering faculty are a community of leading-edge scholars who are dedicated to their students, research, and teach with passion. If you have an interest in engineering — no matter the focus — our exceptional faculty will get you on the path to success.

Meet the Faculty

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