WE PREPARE COMPUTING LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

The College of the Ozarks Computer Sciences Department prepares students for a successful computing career in programming, website design, systems analysis, and other core Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) specified curricula.

WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE?

Computer science focuses on the study of programming and the creation of software solutions. With a strong understanding of problem-solving and mathematics, students majoring in computer science may follow a career path that results in the design and development of a software system.

COMPUTER SCIENCE IS:

• Problem-solving. Computers are built and programmed to solve many types of problems, from scientific to business applications. Therefore, students must take courses in mathematics to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Analyzing and designing new and improved systems, including everything from operating systems to business systems.
• The study of how things work inside the computer, computer architectures, and assembly languages.
• Data communications and networks from an engineering point of view, including the design and building of the World Wide Web.
• The study of artificial intelligence in order to advance modern computing.
• The study of how computers have impacted society in the past and how they will impact society in the future.

WHAT IS COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCE?

Computer Information Science is focused on managing and determining how a software system will benefit those using it and focuses on bringing different applications and tools together to form a whole system. Those wanting to major in CIS are more interested in the relationship between an organization and the data produced by the system.

COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCE IS:

• First and foremost, problem-solving for strategic business systems. Therefore, students must take courses in business — to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills with an understanding of business issues.
• Much more than just programming, although programming is a large part of it. An understanding of both technology and business allows Computer Information Science students to facilitate communication between these two groups.
• The study of how computers have impacted society in the past and how they will impact society in the future.

WHAT IS CYBERSECURITY?

Cybersecurity is the study of how humans misdirect technology in many different ways and the steps we can take to mitigate those misdirections. This cybersecurity program approaches security from a defensive standpoint, addressing important technical aspects of cyber defense while emphasizing networking, ethics, and management concepts to ensure well-rounded graduates.

CYBERSECURITY IS:

• Much more than hacking computers, networks, or websites. Information security is studying how we can protect digital assets from various threats.
• Ensuring that properly identified people can access the information they need to complete their jobs, also known as the study of confidentiality.
• Ensuring that digital information is in its intended state and has not been altered by unauthorized persons or malicious software, also known as the study of integrity.
• Ensuring that information systems are available to authorized parties whenever and wherever they need it, also known as the study of availability.