Careers in computer and information systems continue to be in demand as our reliance on technology grows. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects careers in the field to grow much faster than average over the next decade, with an average of 377,500 new openings each year. Even as we increase our understanding of computer-based technology’s capabilities, so too do new areas of focus emerge and evolve.
To stay competitive in this field, it’s important to pursue an education that provides adequate training and an understanding of what it takes to succeed. The best computer science programs — such as Tulane’s online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) degree — offer both breadth and depth to provide a more well-rounded education for students.
Breadth: Building a Foundation for Career Success
Computer science is a multifaceted field with many concepts and theories that enrich and rely on one another. It’s important to have a broad understanding of the field, even if you plan to work in a narrow aspect of it. Understanding how your area of expertise fits in within a larger framework is vital to performing to the best of your ability.
Core Courses
In the constantly evolving field of computer science, most careers require more than knowledge of programming. MSCS courses often provide a broader overview of important concepts in the field. This comprehensive approach offers a breadth of foundational knowledge. For example, Tulane’s main courses include:
- Algorithms: You’ll learn how to design efficient algorithms, which is crucial for solving complex computational problems and optimizing software performance. You can gain skills that are applicable across all areas of computer science, from AI to systems programming.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI is transforming numerous industries, from healthcare to finance. In this course, you will learn to understand AI, which is essential for developing intelligent systems and staying competitive in the tech industry. AI concepts intersect with data science, cognitive science, and ethics in computing. These are broader areas of importance in the field.
- Operating Systems: Operating system mastery is important for system-level programming, performance optimization, and cybersecurity. You’ll get insight into how software interacts with hardware, which is valuable for software development at all levels.
- Computer Networks: Learn how data is transmitted and secured. These skills are crucial for developing networked applications and maintaining cybersecurity. You’ll learn more about the connection between software concepts and real-world applications. Computer network coursework provides context for things like cloud computing and web development.
These classes provide a foundation that expands the scope and breadth of students’ knowledge.
Bridge Course
For students without a bachelor’s degree in the field, Tulane University’s computer science program offers a bridge course. This course provides a broad overview of concepts and provides foundational knowledge and skills vital to the program. This knowledge helps open up new education and career possibilities for a wider variety of students.
Depth: Developing Specializing Skills and KnowledgeÂ
Just as it is important to have breadth of knowledge, specialization is key to professional development and performance. By focusing on specific skills and knowledge, our graduate program helps students study a curriculum that uniquely prepares them to pursue their career goals.
Broad knowledge helps lay the groundwork for a successful career. The development of specialized skills helps you get a deeper and more marketable skill set. Master’s degree programs in computer science allow students to choose an area of emphasis on which to focus their studies.
Areas of Emphasis
Finding an area of focus in computer science offers you significant benefits for career growth and personal development. Specialization can help you develop deeper expertise. Deep knowledge can lead to more advanced job opportunities, higher salaries, and a more competitive edge in the job market.
Tulane’s master’s degree in computer science offers the following focus areas for students to study:
- Computational Geometry: This focus area is concerned with the study of algorithms for solving geometric problems in computing. This includes computer graphics, robotics, geographic information systems, and CAD software development.
- Computational Biology and Informatics: This area of emphasis explores how computers can help analyze biological data to solve problems. This can help you prepare for a career in pharmaceutical research, genomics, and personalized medicine.
- Algorithms and Theory: Topics in this focus area involve designing and analyzing efficient algorithms and the theoretical foundations of computer science. These skills can help you pursue careers like algorithm engineer, optimization specialist, cryptographer, and research scientist.
- Systems: This area covers the design and implementation of operating systems, networks, and distributed systems. Careers related to this focus include systems architect, network engineer, cloud computing specialist, and cybersecurity analyst.
- Data Science: In this focus area, students learn to combine statistics, mathematics, and computer science to extract insights from data. You can benefit from this knowledge when pursuing careers such as data scientist, business intelligence analyst, machine learning engineer, and data engineer.
In addition to your area of focus, it’s important to pursue even more diverse and specialized topics of study either within or related to the offered focus areas. You can explore these concepts through elective courses.
Elective Courses
Elective courses allow students to reinforce their chosen specialization. They also offer an opportunity to foster a more well-rounded skill set. This can potentially open up more diverse career opportunities.
For example, Tulane online courses offer electives such as game programming, machine learning, and computer graphics. These classes further enrich a chosen focus area by offering more niche skills. They can also help you expand your breadth of knowledge of vital skills in a different focus.
Tying It All Together: Find Depth and Breadth at the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering
Tulane University’s computer science faculty directs research in many important fields, including cutting-edge areas like machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and computer vision. Their practical experience and knowledge help enhance the program’s breadth and depth. Combined with the university’s overall commitment to intellectual pursuits and world-class research, it’s easy to see why Tulane offers one of the best computer science programs.
Next Steps: Learn More About Tulane’s Online MSCS Degree
A master’s degree in computer science prepares students with both the breadth and depth of knowledge required to pursue a fulfilling career in the field. Through coursework, students obtain a versatile understanding of the overall field of computer science. You gain specific knowledge that allows for a more specialized and marketable set of skills.
If you think a master’s degree in computer science is the next step for you, begin your application today! If you still have questions, an enrollment advisor will be happy to help.