Computer Science

Computer science is a dynamic field; new developments and applications occur literally every day. The computer science programs at Hood College focus on the development of lifelong learning skills that will enable students to keep pace with such rapid changes.

Hood offers a bachelor of science degree in computer science. This program is professionally oriented, and students will learn sound software engineering practices using object-oriented languages such as Java and C++.

The bachelor's degree includes courses in computer programming that follow the guidelines set in the curriculum recommendations of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). It also includes the fundamental areas of algorithm analysis, operating systems, programming languages and databases. Many of the courses, and additional elective offerings, emphasize the development of Internet applications. Students completing this degree are exceptionally well prepared for a career or graduate study in the field of computer science. Graduates of this program typically pursue careers in areas such as software development, systems administration and technology management.

Employers recognize the value of a bachelor of science degree in the computer science field. In addition, the diverse mix of students in computer science classes, which include traditional undergraduates along with students who are already working in the field, enables students to establish networks in the field.

All students will complete the Hood College Core Curriculum which ensures a solid liberal arts foundation. Classes at Hood are small—the average class size is 13 and the largest computer science class has just 24 students. Faculty members quickly develop close working relationships with students.

Graduate Program Options

Hood College offers a master of science in computer science, which prepares its graduates to hold a variety of scientific and technical positions in the area of computing applications. Graduates will also be prepared for further work at the doctoral level. The department also offers a master Information Technology and a master of science in management of information technology, which addresses management issues in the IT environment. Because of these graduate programs, upper-level undergraduate students have access to a wide array of elective courses in the major—courses that are offered on a regular basis and are taught by professionals in the field.

Another benefit of Hood's undergraduate and graduate programs is the opportunity for combined bachelor's/master's degree programs. Students entering Hood as freshmen can complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years.

Internship Opportunities

Hood students in the computer science field regularly complete internships with corporations and organizations. Examples of some of these internship locations include:

Hughes Corporation
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Security Agency
U.S. Department of Energy

Hood's location at the top of the I-270 Technology Corridor puts students in close proximity to internships and post-graduate employment. Our long-established undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science also provide a network of current students and alumni.

Career Outlook

Computer science graduates generally have little difficulty in finding employment after graduation and in many cases are employed prior to graduation. The median starting salary in this field is about $50,000 for those who hold a bachelor's degree.

Graduates of Hood's computer science programs are currently working at firms such as:

Hewlett-Packard
Lockheed Martin
National Cancer Institute
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Social Security Administration

Outside the Classroom

Hood sponsors a computer science club, which is a local chapter of the ACM. The department also sponsors and trains programming teams. Students have the opportunity to participate in regional programming contests that are sponsored by the Association for Computer Machinery, the primary national and international association for computing professionals.

Faculty

The computer science faculty at Hood have a wide variety of expertise and industrial experience. The College stresses excellence in teaching, and faculty maintain an up-to-date understanding of current computing technology and applications through continuous professional development.

John Boon
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Phone: (301) 696-3735
E-mail: boonj@hood.edu

Elizabeth Chang
Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Director of the Graduate Program in Management of Information Technology, and Chair of the Computer Science Department
Phone: (301) 696-3564
E-mail: chang@hood.edu

George Dimitoglou
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Phone: (301) 696-3980
E-mail: dimitoglou@hood.edu

Aijuan Dong
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Phone: (301) 696-3884
E-mail: dong@hood.edu

Gary Gillard
Assistant Professor of Information Technology
Phone: (301) 696-3970
E-mail: gillard@hood.edu

Xinlian Liu
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Graduate Program in Computer and Information Science
Phone: (301) 696-3981
E-mail: liu@hood.edu

Raymond Myers
Associate Professor of Information Technology
Phone: (301) 696-3724
E-mail: myers@hood.edu

Bill Pierce
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Phone: (301) 696-3983
E-mail: pierce@hood.edu

Ahmed Salem
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Information Technology
Phone: (301) 696-3731
E-mail: salem@hood.edu

For complete information in our online catalog, click here.