Computer course offers guidance to the undecided

This semester, as with every other semester, Weber State University is crawling with undeclared underclassmen. While choosing a major may seem like a simple task, the wide assortment of available majors has transformed it into a complicated journey. For those who are computer savvy, there is help.

Computer Science 1030 is an introductory course covering databases, Internet, networking, programming, security and more topics relating to computer science. It explores basic computer science, but does not cover the programs students must know, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These programs are taught in TBE 1700 - a class that fulfills the computer literacy requirement for graduation. Computer Science 1030 cannot be taken in place of TBE 1700, but is given as an introductory course for students interested in computer science as a major.

"I would recommend this class to people interested in the major," said Drew Weidman, a WSU instructor of the course. "I've had students come into the class who thought they wanted to be computer science majors and walked out saying 'no thanks,' and vice versa. It's a good course for those trying to decide if computer science is for them."

Many students come to WSU wanting to get a degree but don't know which one will meet their needs.

Antonio Moya, a WSU Freshman, said, "I don't have a major so I guess it might be a good class to take to decide."

Jessica Thurgood, another WSU student trying to decide on a major said, "I've been going to Weber for a year just taking generals because I don't really know what I want to major in yet. I'm not really interested in computers and stuff but a class like this would probably be good if I was. I wish there were other classes that kind of gave you an overview of what the major was going to be like and what you were going to learn about. I mostly just want to know what I'm going to be able to do and what kind of jobs I can get after I graduate with whatever major I choose."

Making computer science a career could work to a graduate's advantage ,as there are more job openings than applying employees. Salaries for those with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science start at $45,000 a year, and according to the WSU Career Center, the average full-time computer applications software engineers earned $70,900 six years ago.

The Computer Science Program at WSU offers a Bachelor of Science or Arts in computer science, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) computer science, Departmental Honors in computer science, a Minor in computer science, a Teaching Minor in computer science, and computer science can also be used toward a concentration in the BIS degree.

For more information about Computer Science 1030 or the computer science program call

626-8098, or visit www.weber.edu/CS.