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Computer Science Department

Why Study Computer Science?

Best Jobs

At the Top of Best Jobs Reports

Ever think about your post-Navy career? We don't need to cherry pick "best job" surveys. Almost every survey out there has a CS job as the best job. We've seen surveys where the top 5 jobs all required CS. This includes highest salary, most satisfaction, and biggest impact. You don't have to take our word for it: Five of the top ten jobs in the most recent US News top 100 jobs report require skills that you'll develop as a CS major.


President Obama

Presidents Say So.

"Don't just play on your phone, program it." - President Obama

"Given the increasing role of STEM and Computer Science in industries across the economy, high-quality STEM and Computer Science education are more important than ever before; they provide pathways to well-paying jobs." - President Trump

How often does the President pick a single major to get behind? Not often. It's rare for a President to single out a single field of study. Computer Science is one of the most important majors to the future of the United States. (watch the video)


NSA Logo

National Security Agencies Want You

Visit the job postings of the NSA, CIA, and FBI. You will find a host of openings that list computer science and related disciplines as the main job requirement. CS is in high demand at our nation's law enforcement and security agencies. Ask at the front desk of the CS department to speak with representatives from these groups. We often have visitors from these organizations. We also run several internship programs with summer opportunities for midshipmen to spend time onsite.


Crest

Why Study it at USNA?

The Computer Science (CS) program at the U.S. Naval Academy is ranked among the top 50 CS programs in the United States by Princeton Review's nationally recognized Gourman Report, a systematic nationwide ranking of individual undergraduate departments (not entire schools) that considers the quality of the faculty, the curriculum, the students and the classroom and lab facilities. Additionally, the Gourman Report ranks the USNA Computer Science Department as second in the nation among programs that do not offer the Ph.D. degree.

What else should I know about the CS major?

  • CS majors focus entirely on rigorous computing content.
  • CS majors become proficient in a variety of programming languages.
  • Advanced electives in cutting-edge topics like Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing, Web and Mobile Application Development, and Robotics are offered each year for upper level CS majors.
  • CS curricula mirror widely-recognized majors at civilian universities and are well known to industry and postgraduate programs.
  • Since 2014, The U.S. Naval Academy has held an NSA certification as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (originally Information Assurance), based primarily on the content of the Information Technology curriculum.

Today, computers are used in almost every aspect of our lives: in car engines, microwave ovens, video games, watches, telephones, desktops at home and work, mainframe computers in government and industry, and supercomputers pushing out the frontiers of science and technology. The computer industry is one of the fastest growing segments of our economy and that growth promises to continue well into the new century. 

The worldwide proliferation of sophisticated aircraft, submarines and surface platforms demands a high level of knowledge of complex computer systems unsurpassed in naval history. In this time critical, multi-threat environment, management of multiple computer systems and the rapid integration, analysis and dissemination of information is critical to the survival of naval task forces.

To maintain a competitive edge, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps must continue to make creative scientific and engineering advances in order to produce the best possible weapon and information systems. More than ever, there is a demand for officers with the scientific and technical training necessary to perform effectively on the job. Now is the time to plan your future in computer science or information technology.

Computing Careers

Computer professionals might find themselves in a variety of environments -- analyzing challenges for solutions, formulating and testing, using advanced communications or multi-media equipment, or working in teams for systems development. Here is a short list of research and vocational areas in computer science and information technology.
  • Artificial Intelligence -- Develop computer programs that simulate human learning and reasoning ability.
  • Enterprise Computing -- Design, implement, manage, and modify information systems that optimally support the many and changing needs of organizations.
  • Software Engineering -- Develop methods for the production of software systems on time, within budget, and with few or no defects.
  • Computer Theory -- Investigate the fundamental theories of how computers solve problems, and apply the results to other areas of computer science.
  • Operating Systems and Networks -- Develop the basic software computers use to supervise themselves or to communicate with other computers.
  • Software Applications -- Apply computer science and technology to solving problems outside the computer field in areas such as education or medicine.
  • Modeling and Simulation -- Create computer simulations in all disciplines to solve real world problems and advance the art and science of simulation.
  • Gaming, Graphics, & Sound -- Promote realism in training or entertainment applications by implementing gaming techniques with compelling images and sounds.
  • Computer and Network Security -- Protect and defend computer systems on all scales against enemies foreign domestic: desktops, networks, national systems, global systems.
  • WWW Design and Support -- Artistic, informative, and interactive web design accompanied with both static and dynamic content support.
  • Databases and Knowledge Management -- Explore how modern database and reasoning systems can help humans to manage and exploit the huge amount of digital information available today.
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