Arts & Sciences

Why Computer Science at SBU

Established in 1980, Bonaventure Computer Science has become one of the most dynamic and respected departments on campus.

Thanks to a combination of four National Science Foundation grants, generous donations from alumni, strong support from the St. Bonaventure University administration, a talented and dedicated faculty, and an exceptional group of undergraduates, we offer you a first-class computer science education supported by state-of-the-art equipment.

In 2008, the Department moved into the new William F. Walsh Science Center, which houses state-of-the-art computer science, laboratory and classroom space, biology labs, organic and general chemistry labs, a Natural World lab, and a 150-seat indoor amphitheater.

Why Computer Science?

When computer science majors graduate from SBU, they're ready for that first job.

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Career Opportunities

The computer science major prepares students for entry-level software engineering, networking, and database and web application development positions as well as for advanced study at the graduate level.

Nearly every graduate has attained a position as a computer professional in areas such as software engineering, database application development, web application development, system administration, network engineering and PC support. Faculty work hard to place students, and many graduates are hired by alumni working in industry.

Computer Facilities

Dr. Robert Harlan, professor of computer science, teaches a class in a computer lab in the William F. Walsh Science Center. The Department maintains two labs for computer science students: the Undergraduate Graphics Lab, which supports the first four courses in the major sequence as well as an innovative course in computer graphics for non-majors and courses in web application development; and the Bonaventure Robotics Lab, which supports the Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Networks, Operating Systems and User Interface courses. Both labs have moved to the William F. Walsh Science Center, opened in 2008, and a student projects lab will be added there to support student research. Wired and wireless access to the University’s local area network and the Internet is available to all students.

The Department is committed to both Microsoft and open source software, ensuring that you will become familiar with working in both the Windows and Linux application worlds. Development environments available include Eclipse, Visual Studio, 3-D Studio and languages include Java, C++, VB.Net, C#.Net and LISP. We are a member of the Microsoft Developers Academic Alliance, which provides students most Microsoft application development tools at no cost.

Preparation for Majoring in Computer Science

Students need not have taken computer science in high school: the first course in the major curriculum presupposes no programming experience. Students should have completed four years of high school mathematics and at least two years of science. Students completing high school Advanced Placement courses may receive college credit and will be placed appropriately during orientation.

Internships, Work Opportunities

Students may receive up to three credits for an internship during which they work under the supervision of a computer professional. Most students arrange their internship through connections they have in their hometowns.

There are employment opportunities on campus for computer science majors, and many majors take advantage of at least one. On-campus opportunities include PC support specialists and computer lab assistants, web developers for various academic and administrative offices, lab teaching assistants for computer science faculty, and lab managers for the computer science labs. Positions in PC support, network support and application development are available periodically with several local businesses.

Dedicated Faculty

Each computer science faculty member is first and foremost a dedicated teacher who enjoys the close contact with students afforded by class sizes of 15 to 20 students. All are active in regional and national computer organizations and have published widely in the area of computer science education. Together the computer science faculty has published over 60 articles and five books, participated in twelve National Science Foundation workshops, and written four successful National Science Foundation grant applications.