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Enduring principles for an evolving technological landscape. Computer Science

Technology drives nearly everything we do—and it’s advancing at incredible speed. Highly skilled, tech-savvy problem solvers are in demand more than ever, especially in emerging fields like data science, information security, and machine learning.

Credential Type

  • B.A.

Major Credits Required

  • 48

Offered As

  • Major, Minor
Wheaton Students in Computer Lab

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

23 first-place programming teams

Wheaton Computer Science student teams have placed first in their division at the ACCA Programming Competition 23 times since 2001 and have won the competition as far back as 1988.

#1 best job in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report ranked information security analyst #1 on its 100 Best Jobs in America list; software developer was #5, and data scientist was #6. (2022)

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Why Study Computer Science at Wheaton?

Wheaton’s computer science program gives you the foundational, unchanging principles of computer science, principles that underlie and outlast the ever-shifting technological landscape. And a rich Christian liberal arts curriculum builds the critical thinking and communication skills you need to work with colleagues and clients across the office or across the globe.

Computer Science for Every Major

Many people can use programming and other computer science knowledge to advance their work in science, business, the humanities, and the arts. Whether you want a one-course experience or a computer science minor, we have a set of courses that will suit your needs.

What You’ll Learn Distinctive Computer Science Courses

Our curriculum and course offerings have been tailored specifically to meet the needs and skills of our students and faculty. They offer unique learning opportunities not found at any other school.

Wheaton's uniquely ambitious computer science curriculum will give you the opportunity to:

  • Explore cross-disciplinary connections in our Discrete Math and Functional Programming course
  • Hone your skills in our second-year Software Development experience
  • Personalize your studies by choosing from electives such as Machine Learning, Databases, and Information Security
  • Engage your faith with challenging questions in the world of computing in our Social and Ethical Issues capstone
  • Work side-by-side with high-caliber faculty in a Mentored Research seminar
Formative Learning: Program Highlight

Project-Based Software Development Course

At Wheaton, you get hands-on software development experience early—in fact, students affectionately refer to this course as “sophomore development.” As part of this class, you and your classmates will collaborate on a semester-long project to solve a real-world problem. In past semesters, students have created virtual hymnals, devised a variable chess program, and built a project management timeline tool.

Faces & Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Devin Pohly

Our Faculty

Small class sizes and a tight-knit department community mean you’ll get to know your professors well, in and out of the classroom. You’ll learn from Christian faculty members with a range of research interests including data management, reverse engineering, network security, algorithms, and computational linguistics.

See Our Faculty

Our Facilities

Our Computer Science Lab on the first floor of Meyer Science Center is the academic and social hub of the Wheaton CS community. Work on projects, get help from student lab assistants, or spend time with friends (and the resident rubber ducks!). For a more focused study space, try our student lounge next door. With faculty offices right across the hall, your professors are there for you in more ways than one.

Tour Our Campus

Our Experiences

Between an active computer science club and regular programming competitions, our majors are always on the go. Many even provide friendly tech support to students, staff, and faculty members through on-campus employment at the Help Desk. These learning and leadership experiences build valuable professional skills.

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.

 

Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR Program)
  • Internships
  • Research
  • Computer science competitions
  • Student employment with Academic Information Technology (AIT) in Help Desk and other support positions
  • Other domestic and study abroad experiences

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Computer Science Club
  • Robotics Club

 Additional Academic Opportunities: Common Minors, Certificates & Second Majors

  • Mathematics
  • Business/Economics
  • Classical Languages
  • Communication
  • Art
  • Sociology

 

 

Edman Chapel Clock Tower Summer
COMPUTER SCIENCE for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. From machine learning to data privacy issues, computer science presents many opportunities to consider how Christians should build and use digital technology to love our neighbors and promote the flourishing of creation.

Christ at the Core: Liberal Arts at Wheaton

Success After Wheaton Computer Science Careers & More

Wheaton computer science majors go on to work for a wide variety of companies, including some of the top names in tech: Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. Others have felt a call to trade the high salary of a tech job for a rewarding career in ministry and mission at Logos Bible Software or Wycliffe Bible Translators.

See All Wheaton Outcomes

Careers

Recent computer science alumni are working in positions such as:

  • Biogeography researcher
  • Digital content strategist
  • Donor relations officer
  • Director of customer identity engineering
  • Full stack developer
  • Research scientist
  • Software developer
  • Software engineer
  • Web and mobile app developer
  • VP of engineering

Continued Learning

Others pursue graduate degrees to prepare for more specialized positions or to launch careers in academia and research. Wheaton computer science alumni have attended:

  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Cornell University
  • Duke University 
  • George Mason University
  • Northwestern University
  • University of California San Diego
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Rochester
768x512 Joshua Price headshot Wheaton College HNGR
Computer Science Students in Action

When Computer Science Meets Ministry

“Wheaton helped me grow in all parts of my identity, not just the computer scientist part. My vision for the future is that a computer science or programming job will provide me with enough resources to have a home and continue creating spaces for others to feel comfortable and safe.”

– Joshua Price ’23

For as long as he can remember, Joshua Price ’23 has been fascinated by the creativity that takes place behind the scenes of computer technology. Throughout his years as a computer science major at Wheaton, Price has earnestly explored how a STEM-oriented field can be utilized to create hospitable spaces for communities at home and abroad. For six months during summer and fall 2022, Price is completing an IT internship in Indonesia with Peace Generation, a nonprofit that promotes peacemaking development and education through advocacy events and creative media.

 

Next Steps

Interested in studying computer science at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.

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