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Why Choose Computing?



What is computing and what can I do with it?



Overview


The Computing major at Saint Vincent College has concentrations in Information Technology, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, and Computer Security. What are these about?

Information Technology has to do with setting up and managing networks, servers, software, and other technology for an organization. You might work for the government, a large or small company, a college or school, etc. With the rapid changes in technology this is a challenging job that requires creative thinking and good communications skills.

Computer Science, some think, is about programming. It is, but that is only the beginning. It includes so much in addition. Computer science includes artificial intelligence, user interface design, data communications, graphics, and many more areas.

Bioinformatics applies the discipline of computing to the field of biology. A student in this concentration might learn to write software to extract useful data from a huge database on genes, proteins, disease, etc.

Computer Security involves learning how computers and networks are attacked and compromised, how to defend against such attacks, how to detect these attacks, as well as how to write software that is less susceptible to attack.

Salaries


As of 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its latest numbers (which were for 2008), listed the average annual salary for software engineers at around $90,000. Of course, this is a national average, so it includes software engineers in big cities with high salaries (due to the high cost of living) as well as software engineers in other areas (where the cost of living is lower) whose salaries are a bit less. The same report shows computer systems analysts having an average salary of around $79,000, programmers having an average salary of about $73,000, and computer support specialists getting an average salary of about $46,000.

Student Projects


One way to see what computing involves is to see what types of projects our students have done, perhaps as class projects, senior projects, internships, or paid work done for the department. Here are some examples. A lot of creative work was certainly done! See the Example Senior Projects page for more information on a few senior projects.
  • Create (and sell) an iPhone app.
  • Set up and configure a new 2-processor server, including the setup of its web server, database, account creation scripts, etc.
  • Create a program and database to automate operations for a small retail store.
  • Write software for the Android cell phone to allow farmers to easily track data on their fields and crops.
  • Write a web application for buying and selling jewelry. The application uses the eBay API.
  • Set up a firewall to protect servers from hackers.
  • Create a web application/web site to coordinate the collection of charitable donations.
  • Create both the client and server software for online chat.
  • Create blog software by setting up a database and web application.
  • Revise an organization's network design so as to provide greater security and speed.
  • Create a program where you navigate through a 3D maze.
  • Create an ecommerce web site.
  • Create a database application to handle student internships.
  • Create a computer game that is played over the network.
  • Create a website to handle online ticketing for a student-run theater organization.
  • Create a message board where students can collaborate on a project.
  • Write software to create and play audio sequences.
  • Set up a cluster of Linux-based computers.
  • Create interactive educational software.

Jobs Held by Graduates


Another way to see what computing is about is to look at where our graduates have gone and what they have done. Here are some examples:
  • One creates solutions for businesses by adapting software from a major software developer and by writing new software as well.
  • Another writes software to mine information from a database on diabetes patients. In other words, he writes bioinformatics software.
  • Several are software developers for defense contractors, companies, etc.
  • One is a network technician for a school district, while another does much the same work for a small college.
  • Two graduates work in the networking and security field, with one of these researching security flaws in major software products for large companies.
  • One does database work for a medical supply company, while another does database work at a large corporation.
  • Several do IT work (e.g. system administration, managing servers, installing and configuring various types of technology, etc.) for a number of companies and colleges.
  • Some of our graduates do web development.

Graduate School & Employers


Our graduates have completed Masters degrees at universities such as CMU, Pitt, RPI, Robert Morris College, etc. They have been employed by organizations such as CMU, UPMC, PNC Bank, Northrup-Grummand, Raytheon, Marconi Communications, Kennametal, IBM, US Steel, Concurrent Technologies, Allin Consulting, Dell, Mellon Bank of New York, Equitable Gas, Latrobe Steel, Westinghouse Specialty Metals, the Social Security Administration, ProLogic, General Carbide, the R. J. Lee Group, etc.

The Interdisciplinary Bioinformatics Major


Are you interested in computing and biology? If so, then bioinformatics would be a great area for you to study. According to our college bulletin, "Bioinformatics is the study of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, medicine, and health, using the discrete analytical tools of mathematics and computer science." This is an interdisciplinary major that combines several disciplines into a powerful combination. Two of our graduates in CIS actually write bioinformatics software for a living. They had to learn their biology on their own, but if you know that you want to work in this field, it is better to get the needed background as an undergraduate. The college's web page on the bioinformatics major states that "Students majoring in Bioinformatics can look forward to careers in the healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as research opportunities in universities and government laboratories." Note that southwestern Pennsylvania has several potential employers for bioinformatics graduates.

Links to Additional Information

Maintained by: Br. David Carlson
Last updated: October 08, 2009