General Computing

Your opportunities to explore Computing outside the classroom are numerous at Michigan Tech. You might choose to join an Enterprise team or a student club, seek out research opportunities with faculty members, or develop an independent project.

The Enterprise Program finds students of any and all majors working in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. With coaching from faculty mentors, Michigan Tech's 24 Enterprise teams invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. The teams gain rich experiences in engineering design, team building, project management, and end-to-end original product development. There are two Enterprises mentored by Computer Science faculty. Open the sliders below to learn more.

 

Whichever degree path you choose, employers in virtually all businesses and industries need engineers and technologists to develop and maintain a variety of computer applications and systems. And Computing career opportunities are on the rise, so you’ll have plenty of options.

Completing an undergraduate degree in Computing also opens doors to graduate studies, master’s options for those interested in industry positions, doctoral paths for those wishing to pursue teaching or research. You may also want to build a business with your Computing skills and pursue a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

A Computing degree opens pathways to a huge range of well-paying careers., including software developer, cybersecurity specialist, computer engineer, web developer, information/network security analyst.

Careers span industries from automotive to manufacturing to healthcare and information technology, with jobs available in data science, software engineering, application development and more. 

Employment in computer and information technology occupations overall is projected to grow 12 percent and add about 546,200 new jobs from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The BLS predicts that 76% of new STEM jobs will be in computing by 2024 and 58% of all STEM jobs will be in computing.

Job placement rates for Michigan Tech students are consistently excellent. In 2019, 92% of Computer Science and CNSA graduates landed a job within three months of graduation. In 2017, Money Magazine ranked Michigan Tech #2 among public colleges where graduates make six figures.

Computer Science professionals work toward mastering computer software and computational processes for a variety of applications and users—an endeavor that requires creativity, precision, and sound reasoning. Concentrate your studies on Computer Science, Computer Systems, Application, or Game Development.

The CS concentration is the most flexible and comprehensive, covering all facets of the discipline. Students gain a broad computer science background in preparation for a career in computing, science, or engineering. Consider this concentration if you plan to enroll in graduate school.

In a Computer Systems concentration, you'll build the  skills and know-how necessary for designing, developing, and maintaining computing systems. Your learning will focus on various computing environments—from operating systems and networking, to administration and security—giving you the adaptability to embrace the change inherent in computing and technology.

Computer science has strong ties to many other disciplines, as computers are useful problem-solving tools. Finding solutions often requires both computer science expertise and knowledge of a particular application area. An Application concentration allows you to delve into an application area you choose, such as engineering, business, health care, or humanities.

Learn how to build compelling and engaging video games using the latest techniques and technologies in the

Game Development concentration. You'll gain hands-on game development and teamwork experience, learn 3D graphics programming, and practice the skills you'll need to build the next generation of interactive games. A concentration in Game Development can lead to careers in the game industry and related fields, such as software engineering, virtual reality, computing, and visualization.

CNSA majors prepare for challenging and exciting careers in computer network design, administration, and security. You'll learn how to build and troubleshoot computer networks and manage enterprise systems effectively and securely.

Tailor your classwork to fit your interests with three technical emphasis areas: Cybersecurity, IT Management, or Network Engineering.

CNSA lab-intensive technical courses teach the design and implementation of advanced technologies through challenging hands-on learning experiences using  industry-standard equipment and technology.

With a your CNSA degree, you're ready to design, secure, and manage computer networks in all sectors of the economy, including healthcare, retail, insurance, manufacturing, government, and research. Michigan Tech CNSA graduates are in high demand and command excellent starting salaries.

The demand for cybersecurity experts has never been greater. Every day, hackers and cyber criminals launch new, more sophisticated computer viruses, malware, and scams, threatening the data our society relies on.

Michigan Tech's Cybersecurity majors are developing next-generation cyber skills to confront emerging cyber threats. 

Cybersecurity students:

1. Acquire theoretical knowledge and practical know-how to strategically assess, plan, design, and implement effective cybersecurity defenses
2. Learn best practices and techniques for software development, data assets design, and the management and protection of valuable computing infrastructure.
3. Develop trusted software systems in an enterprise team environment.
4. Understand the social, ethical, legal, and policy aspects of cybersecurity.

The Cybersecurity job outlook is excellent. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reports that U.S. employers posted an estimated 313,735 job openings in the cybersecurity profession between September 2017 and August 2018, in addition to 715,000-plus cybersecurity workers already employed in the U.S. 

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 28 percent through 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

If you enjoy coding and want to develop secure and trusted software systems, this is the concentration for you.  In the Software Security concentration, you'll learn to systematically design, develop, deploy, and test trusted software and applications. You'll find and fix common software and application vulnerabilities, preventing attackers from exploiting them.

If you prefer hands-on learning and want to secure IT systems and infrastructure, this is the concentration for you. You'll learn to manage and secure computer systems, networks, and IT infrastructure from unauthorized access, attacks, misuse, or damage by implementing security processes, technologies, and best practices.

You'll combine multiple layers of defenses, implement security policies and controls, detect emerging threats before they infiltrate the network, and perform critical functions within a secure enterprise environment.

Robots are big business, and graduates who understand the concepts of mechatronics, robotics, automation, and controls are valuable employees.

The College of Computing works closely with industrial advisory partners to ensure that the EET curriculum is current and relevant. As part of your BS degree, you’ll earn a FANUC Robotic Automation Industrial Certificate—a huge advantage in your employment search.

EET majors learn the design, drafting, and technical skills that put engineering ideas into action. They master the fundamentals of electronics, industrial robotics, automation, and controls and learn how to maintain, program, and design automated systems, program industrial automated systems—key areas in today’s industry.

EET majors:

• Learn the computing aspects of Programmable Logic Controllers—the industrial computers most commonly used in industrial settings.
• Use brand new Amatrol mechatronics and process control learning stations, gaining essential engineering knowledge and hands-on  experience operating industry-grade equipment. 
• Operate, program, and troubleshoot the actual industrial FANUC robotic arms used in a range of contemporary industrial applications. 
• Pursue actual research with faculty mentors.

Michigan Tech EET graduates are highly-sought candidates for employment in industries including pharmaceutical, food, automotive, manufacturing, and others. EET graduates have become quality control, product, applications, and process engineers. They have landed careers at GM, Tesla, Ford, FANUC, Harley Davidson, Systems Controls, and AT&T, among others.

Do you like mechanics, robotics, or production equipment? Do you have a knack for creative problem solving? Do you enjoy technical and engineering activities? Can you work well as a member of a team? If any or all of the above is true about you, Mechatronics could be a good choice. 

At the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing, Mechatronics is the science of receiving, processing, and transmitting sensory data for the advanced control of external devices. Mechatronics specialists create simpler, smarter systems. Mechatronics is:

• An essential foundation for the expected growth in automation and manufacturing.
• A multidisciplinary field that combines electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering,
• Refers to the skill sets needed in today's advanced, automated manufacturing industry.
• An industry buzzword synonymous with robotics and electromechanical engineering.
• Robotics, control systems, and electro-mechanical systems also fall under the study of mechatronics.

The College of Computing Software Engineering major builds a solid understanding of foundational computer science principals in the first two years of study. Then, students pursue more focused training specifically for software engineers, emphasizing teamwork and both the practical and technical sides of software. You might choose to design and develop computer games, business applications, operating systems, network control systems, or middleware.

Career opportunities in software engineering are driven by the technologies in a host of application areas, including automobiles, aviation, data management, telecommunications, food production, factory control, robotics, pharmaceuticals, defense, toys, security, biomedical instrumentation, and sound design.

Computer Science: The deeper study of the discipline of computer science encompasses theory, experimentation, and engineering design. This minor explores those topics while nurturing your creativity and strengthening your precision and reasoning abilities.