About

The world runs on technology. By learning how to develop software, you are entering a field with endless opportunities – from software for businesses or research, to apps and a demanding job market.

Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is backed by an engaged faculty. Students are expected to apply what they learn in class through internship opportunities, research or activities sponsored by the department such as App Hack events. Appalachian’s Department of Computer Science was one of the first programs in North Carolina to achieve accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which it has held since 1986. The program offered Appalachian’s first computer science class in 1975.

Students in this degree have the option to pursue Appalachian’s accelerated master’s program and receive their Master of Science degree in Computer Science in one year as opposed to two years by taking graduate coursework during their senior year. The department also offers a Data Science Certificate.

After Graduation

Employment: The job market is so strong in this field that most graduates go straight into employment. Employers include Lowes Hardware, CGI (Lebanon, V.A.), Duke Energy, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, ECR Software, Sunrise Technologies, and INMAR.

Graduate schools: Students who do choose to pursue graduate studies have stayed at Appalachian State University or gone to North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Clemson University, Duke University, or University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Faculty Profile: Dr. Rahman Tashakkori

  “When students are involved in research, they do better in their academic course work. It creates a medium in which students can learn computer science applications for the real world.” – Dr. Rahman Tashakkori

  Meet more faculty

• 

  Alumnus Profile: Steve Kitchens

   “My degree from Appalachian has been the foundation of my professional career, and even 12 years after graduation, I fall back on my programming background.”

  – Steve Kitchens ’03, senior manager of systems and electrical engineering for Amazon Kindle, Fire Tablets, Fire Phone

• 

  Student Profile: Bryan Hill

  “My relationship with the faculty in the program has been amazing … The class sizes are relatively small, so I feel comfortable asking for help or going to office hours.”

  – Bryan Hill, a computer science major and a recipient of the Appalachian High Achievers in STEM scholarship

• 

  Student Profile: Jenny Ly

  Chau “Jenny” Ly said she found her passion for programming and science during her first hackathon. She is succeeding in the field of computer science and helping her female peers do the same.

Minors

A minor is not required. Popular minors among students who do choose to pursue one include:

• Mathematics
• Business
• Physics
• Computer Information Systems

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• App Hack Events – These consist of 24-hour periods where students come together to collaborate and develop technology.
• S-STEM program – A scholarship program for students who major in computer science or applied mathematics.
• ECRS Scholarship Program – A scholarship for incoming first-year students and graduate students in computer science.
• Department of Computer Science student clubs

Global Learning

Global Learning is a priority for Appalachian State University. Students are encouraged to increase their knowledge of global issues, regions and cultures through any of Appalachian’s 100-plus international courses and events, befriending Appalachian’s 170-180 international students, participating in a study abroad, or pursuing an international service-learning or internship experience.

Admission Requirements

Must complete at least 30 credit hours of Appalachian course work and complete freshman and sophomore English in order to be admitted into the major.