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B.A. in Applied Computer Science
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The B.A. in Applied Computer Science at Lycoming College focuses on balancing theoretical understanding with practical application. The program is geared towards students who want to integrate computer science with other areas of interest, rather than focusing solely on software programming. It is a concentrated ten-course program that exposes students to the latest technology through a project-based approach, preparing them to be versatile problem solvers in a technology-driven world. Lycoming views computer science as a liberal art, promoting a broad intellectual foundation.
STEM-Designated: While the Lycoming College website primarily lists the Applied Computer Science program as a B.A. degree, computer science programs in the U.S. are generally recognized as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This designation is crucial for international students as it typically qualifies them for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, allowing them to work in the U.S. for an additional 24 months after their initial OPT period. Lycoming College offers other STEM-designated B.S. degrees, and while the B.A. in Applied Computer Science might not explicitly carry the B.S. designation, the content of the curriculum aligns with STEM criteria.
Curriculum: The curriculum provides a solid grounding in core computer science principles while allowing for interdisciplinary exploration. Key courses include Operating System Concepts, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, Calculus with Analytic Geometry, and Discrete Mathematics. Students also delve into applied aspects through electives such as computer graphics, 2D game design, and mobile application development. The program stresses design correctness rooted in solid theory, with lab sessions translating theory into practice. Java is highlighted as the primary language used for development.
Research Focus: Research is an integral part of the Applied Computer Science program at Lycoming College. Students are encouraged to apply for National Science Foundation (NSF) grants for Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students (REUs) and participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, often working alongside faculty. Lycoming-led research opportunities are designed to help students gain skills highly valued by employers and graduate schools. Faculty bring extensive research and developmental expertise to the classroom, fostering an environment where students can engage in complex software engineering projects and even represent the college at programming competitions.
Industry Engagement: Lycoming College strongly emphasizes practical industry engagement for its Applied Computer Science students. The program prepares students for careers as software engineers, data scientists, and developers across various industries, from defense to social media and healthcare. The college's embedded career advisors actively work with a broad array of organizations to secure local and national internship opportunities for students. The curriculum's project-based approach, coupled with advanced laboratory experiences in Unix, graphics, mobile application development, and high-performance computing, ensures students are building technical skills aligned with industry needs. Alumni work at leading tech companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.
Global Perspective: A global perspective is inherently fostered within Lycoming College's Applied Computer Science program through its emphasis on interdisciplinary problem-solving and the universal nature of technology. The college welcomes a diverse international student body, enriching the learning environment with varied perspectives. While the program does not explicitly feature a "global computer science" track, the foundational computational thinking skills, adaptable to various domains, prepare students for a globalized workforce. The college's broader commitment to global study opportunities and its diverse international student body further contribute to a globally informed education, allowing students to understand and contribute to technological advancements on an international scale.
Location
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
USD 49258
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 70 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 50 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
Lycoming College is attracting talented international students by offering generous and competitive scholarship opportunities. These scholarships help make a high-quality liberal arts education accessible and affordable for students from around the world, fostering a diverse and vibrant campus community.
Merit-Based Scholarships: All international applicants to Lycoming College are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships there is no separate application required. These scholarships reward academic excellence, leadership, and extracurricular achievements.
Renewable Scholarships: Scholarships awarded to international students at Lycoming are renewable for up to four years, provided that students maintain satisfactory academic progress and good standing with the college. This continuity offers financial stability throughout the undergraduate journey.
Need-Based Aid: In addition to merit scholarships, Lycoming College offers limited need-based financial aid to international students who demonstrate financial need. Students may be required to submit additional documentation to be considered for this aid. Need-based support complements merit awards to further reduce the overall cost of attendance.
Specialty Scholarships and Awards: Lycoming College occasionally provides targeted scholarships based on students’ fields of study, leadership qualities, or unique talents. International students are encouraged to inquire about available departmental awards or special grants during the admissions process.
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Computer Science from Lycoming College provides graduates with a unique and powerful blend of technical expertise and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
Software Engineer/Developer: This is a core career path. Graduates design, develop, test, and maintain software applications for various platforms, including web, mobile, and desktop, across industries like social media, healthcare, finance, and defense. Lycoming alumni have gone on to work at major tech companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.
Data Scientist/Analyst: The program's strong foundation in computational thinking and potentially mathematics/statistics prepares graduates to collect, analyze, and interpret large datasets. They identify trends, build predictive models, and provide data-driven insights to inform business decisions across almost any sector.
Web Developer (Front-end or Back-end): Graduates can specialize in building and maintaining websites. Front-end developers focus on the user interface and experience, while back-end developers work on server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power the site.
UX/UI Designer (User Experience/User Interface Designer): Combining technical understanding with an appreciation for human-computer interaction, graduates can design intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces for software applications, websites, and digital products, ensuring a positive user experience.
IT Project Manager: With strong problem-solving and organizational skills, graduates can lead and manage technology projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and meet specified requirements.
Information Security Analyst / Cybersecurity Specialist: As organizations become more reliant on digital systems, securing data is paramount. Graduates can work to protect computer networks and systems from cyber threats, identify vulnerabilities, and implement security measures.
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer / Software Tester: These professionals play a crucial role in the software development lifecycle by identifying and documenting bugs, ensuring software meets quality standards, and verifying functionality before release.
Technical Support Specialist / Systems Administrator: Graduates can provide technical assistance to users, troubleshoot hardware and software issues, and manage and maintain an organization's computer systems and networks.
Game Developer/Designer: With electives like 2D game design, graduates can enter the video gaming industry, contributing to the development of game mechanics, programming, or even game design.
Education Technology Specialist: Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program and the integration of computer science with other fields, graduates can work in educational institutions, developing and implementing technology solutions to enhance learning and teaching.
