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Computers have dramatically changed the way we live our lives today and the way we look toward the future. The need for qualified people to develop and program these computer systems is here to stay. The Diablo Valley College associate in science degree in computer science prepares students for a variety of programming and software support positions.
Just getting started? Check out: you might be a programmer if...
Want to go all the way? Start with an A.S. degree. As an A.S. degree candidate you will gain an understanding of:
- programming
- problem solving
- data structure
- machine architecture
- broad base general education
Students can also choose between the following areas of focus:
- Java
- C++
Job opportunities in computer science are challenging and diverse, and they can also be cyclical, making a degree more valuable than a certificate. Over all, the demand for individuals with a computer science background is expected to grow significantly throughout the next decade.
After a student has earned an A.S. degree in computer science, he or she is well prepared to go directly into entry-level employment in the computer programming field.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, salaries range from $30,000 to $40,000 for entry-level programmers and up to $85,000 or more for a more experienced programmer.
The Department
The Computer Science Department offers courses in three general areas, each targeted to serve students with specific needs:
• General education students seeking a Computer Literacy course which will transfer to both CSU and UC campuses and/or provide hands-on instruction in the use of personal computer for classroom and office: COMSC 100 and 100L.
• Computer science transfer students planning to major in computer science or computer engineering at a four-year school: COMSC 105, 110, 210, 255, 260, 265 and 266.
• Programming professionals seeking to update their skills: COMSC 95, 96, 97, 98 (HTML), 120, 121 (SQL), 138 (VBA), 171, 172 (UNIX/Linux), 256, and 257 (Java)
Possible career opportunities
Study in computer science prepares students for careers in programming, computer operations, systems analysis and engineering, and web design, as well as artificial intelligence, robotics, and software engineering and development. Some career options may require more than two years of college study.
Besides offering courses designed to meet lower-division requirements for a major in computer science, there is also a wide variety of courses covering current popular topics and new software development tools and languages. Such courses provide a path for working professionals to upgrade
