Computer scientists have transformed the world we live in, and with a computer science degree, you can become the next leader in our technology-driven society. With four areas of concentration, hands-on curriculum, a caring and accessible faculty, and numerous labor and co-curricular opportunities, you’ll be ready to create the next great advancement in technology. Coming in 2024, our new technology building will support opportunities to explore advanced computing subjects in our interactive robotics and visualization lab, a makerspace designed to foster creativity and exploration, and a hands-on networking and security lab.
We’ve designed an inclusive curriculum that begins with the basics of programming and data structures, and culminates with advanced topics in computer science and a capstone experience. The curriculum is also flexible enough to support students starting with no prior computing experience, as well as students who've taken computer science courses prior to Berea, meeting you where you are in your computing journey. With conferences, hack-a-thons, internships, research opportunities, and a robust labor program, students graduate from the computer science major with real-world, hands-on experience that makes them competitive in today's market.
Our Learning Environment
Dr. Jan Pearce
Professor of Computer Science; Chair of the Computer Science Department
We use a teaching methodology demonstrably more effective at helping people feel like they’re empowered rather than sitting down and listening to a lecture. Students work together in teams to construct and understand and grapple with the knowledge. It’s really effective.
Opportunities & Internships
Students taking CSC courses often engage with the community as part of the course requirements. For example, the students in the Database Systems course (CSC 330) create web-enabled database systems that support local businesses and organizations in their daily operations. Students in the Introduction to Robotics course (CSC 126) take their robotic creations into the community to demonstrate them to K-12 students, building excitement around CSC for future generations.
Computer science had over 50 students participating in internships and research experiences last summer at the following organizations: Adobe Inc., Argonne National Laboratory, Bank Of America, Berea College, Carnegie Mellon University, CERN, Duke University, ExxonMobil, IGear, JPMorgan & Chase, Medtronic, Meta, Microsoft, Midway Research Center, Morgan Stanley, Navy Federal Credit Union, Next Generation Justice LLC, NextGen Justice LLC, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, ProjectXYZ, Purdue Collaborative Robotics Lab, Red Hat, Runestone Academy, Temple University, The Boeing Company, University of Chicago, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, and Wells Fargo. Such experiences often lead directly to graduate school or a job.
What Employers Say
Jason McKerr
Vice President for Engineering: Management and Automation
I hired my first Berea intern, and she went from intern to senior software engineer in less than 3 years. This has never happened in my experience. I hired my second Berea intern, and he is on the same track. I want to know what you are doing differently at Berea.
Careers & Outcomes
Buoyed by their experience in the labor program and networking opportunities, Computer Science graduates find work or continue their education in a variety of fields including:
