United States Air Force Academy

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Gain High Demand Skills for Today's Air Force

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Cadet working on drone

The Computer Science major focuses on computer programming, software engineering and computing theory. The skills and abilities taught are in high demand and may be applied in all Air Force career fields.Computer Science majors who become cyber operations officers conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations; establish and operate combat communications capabilities; operate, maintain and defend computer and communications networks; provide command and control capabilities; and contribute to the development and acquisition of new systems.

Computer Science majors who become pilots (including test pilots) will have greater insight into their aircraft and weapons systems which are highly dependent on software systems. They might also contribute to units by developing applications that improve mission effectiveness through operations support, data analysis, scheduling and resource management.

The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

 

POTENTIAL JOB ASSIGNMENTS
Within the Air Force
  • 17X – Cyber operations officer
  • 11X – Pilot
  • 14X – Intelligence
  • 71SX – Office of Special Investigations
  • 13X – Space and Missile Operations
Outside the Air Force
  • Computer Programmer
  • Software Developer
  • Business or Systems Analyst

SAMPLE COURSES
  • Computer Organization and Architecture
  • Information Storage and Retrieval
  • Software Dev for Mobile Devices
  • Artificial Intelligence
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE
4th CLASS YEAR (FRESHMAN) 3RD CLASS YEAR (SOPHOMORE) 2ND CLASS YEAR (JUNIOR) 1ST CLASS YEAR (SENIOR)
Beh Sci 110
Chem 100
Comp Sci 110
English 111
Engr 101
For Lang 1
For Lang 2
History 100
Math 141
Math 142
Physics 110
Chem 200
Comp Sci 210
Comp Sci 220
Comp Sci 351
Econ 201
English 211
Engr Mech 220
Law 220
Math 340
MSS 200
Physics 215
Pol Sci 211
Aero Engr 315
Beh Sci 310
Biology 315
Comp Sci 330
Comp Sci 350
Comp Sci 364
Comp Sci 380
Comp Sci 467
Comp Sci 483
History 300
Math 356
Math Opt
Philos 310
Academy Opt/Comp Sci Opt
Astro Engr 310
Comp Sci 426
Comp Sci 453
Comp Sci 454
Comp Sci Opt
Comp Sci Opt
English 411
ECE 315
Mgt 400
MSS 415/416
Soc Sci 412

Computer Science majors must take Introduction to Programming (Comp Sci 210) in the fall of their 3-degree year or validate the course.

For full program requirements and course descriptions, download the current Course of Instruction Handbook.

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

The Computer Science degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

To ensure the success of our graduates, we prepare them to achieve the following Program Educational Objectives within two to five years after graduation:

  • Recognition as successful Air Force officers through demonstration of their ability to:
    • Rapidly acquire required knowledge
    • Lead others effectively
    • Apply ethical and moral standards
    • Improve unit performance by application of organizational skills
    • Make sound decisions based on critical thinking
    • Communicate effectively
  • Selection for career training on, or ahead of, schedule, and for a progression of assignments of increasing responsibility
  • Demonstrated ability to solve Air Force technical problems
  • Success in continuing education

These objectives are assessed through Student Outcomes—the skills, knowledge and behaviors students should acquire before graduation.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of our program will have the ability to:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  • Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
  • Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

The number of cadets graduated or enrolled in the Computer Science major in May of the indicated year are listed below:

Computer Science Enrollment Data
Year Graduated Enrolled
2020 24 147
2019 35 126
2018 17 98
2017 29 97

 

CONTACT US

Lt Col David Merritt
Department Head of Computer & Cyber Sciences
david.merritt@usafa.edu
(719) 333-3590

WANT TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE?