Applied Computer Science

About the applied computer science major

Technology can be found in all industries—from medicine, to business, to engineering, and more. With a degree in applied computer science, you’ll be ready to design the future of medicine, business, engineering, and the arts. At IUPUI, applied computer science students investigate the ways fundamental theories can be translated into real-world applications.

This major focuses on building foundational skills in computing, while also developing soft skills to be leaders in the IT world. You'll take a course on project management and have an opportunity to build your leadership skills. While the Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science focuses on mathematics and theory, this major focuses on applying your learning in real time to be ready for industry.

Skills and abilities this major develops: technical proficiency, project management skills, communication expertise, and analytical skills.

Engaged learning experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Undergraduate research

Undergraduate research experiences help you develop important problem-solving skills and experience for your future career.

Professional work experience

Grow your skills through internships or part-time jobs. Join the School of Science Career and Internship site in Canvas for additional information and resources.

Center for Service and Learning

The IUPUI Center for Service and Learning has many service-oriented programs that allow you to work with and impact your community in endless ways.

Opportunities after graduation

Employment of computer systems analysts is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 44,500 openings for computer systems analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022).

According to the IUPUI First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Computer Science was $60,783, and the median was $59,500.

The national median annual salary for computer systems analysts was $99,270 in 2021 (Occupational Outlook Handbook).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Computer and information science graduates often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:

Business administration
Computer science
Technology

Quick facts

Sample coursework

Computing I & II
Data structures
Discrete computational structures
Fundamentals of software project management
Web design

Possible careers

Application developer
Database administrator
IT analyst
Project manager
Software developer
Systems administrator
Web developer

Where could I work?

Allegion
Cummins
IU Health
Kronos
Ontario Systems
Raytheon Technologies
Salesforce

Complementary interests

IInvestigative

RRealistic

CCONVENTIONAL

Get your interest code

Where to get more information

Department of Computer and Information Science

Indianapolis Tech Point

Association for Computing Machinery

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Cluster

This major belongs to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) cluster. The STEM cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in the sciences, technology, engineering, informatics, and computing. The STEM cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the STEM cluster

Learn about other clusters

Meet with an advisor or career consultant

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