Prospective Students Interested in a Computer Science Career FAQ
Q: What are the major academic fields of Computer Science?
A: The major academic fields in Computer Science are software
engineering, networks and operating systems,
computer architecture and circuit design, intelligent systems, information management,
graphics, and algorithms and complexity.
Q: What careers are attainable upon completion of graduation?
A: Some jobs obtained by recent graduates:
o Software Development Engineer, Yahoo! Inc
o Web/Application Developer, Managed Care Systems
o Programmer, Kern Health Systems, Inc.
o Network Administrator, Kern County Superintendent of Schools
o WEB Application Developer, Wyle Labs, Edwards Air Force Base
o Supporting Network Engineer, Global CTI Group
o Information Systems Support, Kern County Sheriff's Department
o IT Manager, San Joaquin Bank
Q: What specializations do you have in your program?
A: There are three tracks that lead to a degree in Computer
Science: Computer Science Track, Information Systems Track, and Hardware Track.
Q: I am currently taking a Computer Graphics and Video Productions
course at my high school. Do they coincide with Computer Science
at all, or is that another field? (We are using Adobe software
such as: Photoshop CS2, Premiere Pro2, Illustrator CS2, etc.)
A: There are no courses in the major in which one learns how
to use a computer application. Such courses, however, would be useful should
you wish to pursue a minor in Communications consisting of Digital Media
courses. This minor could be applied to the Information Systems Track in
Computer Science.
Q: I am interested in how computers can be used in science and
mathematics.
A: The Computer Science Track would be your best option.
Q: I am really interested in computers, but more or less the
software programs that are made for them. I would really enjoy
learning more about the computers themselves. Would a
computer science degree be my best choise?
A: If you are interested in the hardware of a computer, the
Hardware Track would be your best option; otherwise, the Computer Science
Track would provide a broad study of computing.
Q: I would like to make a career in a field that uses Graphic Design
and so forth. Would it be best to take a computer science
degree?
A: We offer one course in the major on graphics, and this course
does not cover graphic design. If you are interested in design only,
you may wish to pursue the Digital Media major in Communications.
Q: I would like to major in computer Science. I attended southwest
community college and took one dance class and took two theatre
coures. What are my options?
A: The first course in our major is CMPS 221. The prerequisite
for this course is a passing score on the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam
or satisfaction of the ELM exemptions and a passing score on the Pre-Calculus
Readiness Test. Once you have satisfied the prerequisite, you can enroll in
CMPS 221.
Q: I like computers and web work and am interested in your
computer science program. How much mathematics is required?
A: The Computer Science Track requires three quarters of
Calculus, Linear Algebra and Probability Theory; the CIS Track requires
Elementary Statistics and Pre-calculus; the Hardware Track requires
three quarters of Calculus, Advanced Engineering Mathematics, and Linear Algebra.
Q: What is the difference between your program in computer
science and the MIS program in the Business School?
A: The MIS program focuses on high level management of information
and is less technical than our program.
