Computer Science Department
At one time, running a first-tier computer science program required a large financial outlay that limited these programs to large, typically state-funded institutions. In recent years, however, the software needed for a computer science program has become, for the most part, free, and the computer hardware needed has come into common use.
The major limitation for a quality computer science program now is the faculty available to teach. It has become apparent that teaching computer science is not well-suited to large classes. Many experts suggest that hands-on apprenticeships and one-on-one mentoring are more appropriate approaches to learning to program.
The small class sizes and extensive student-faculty involvement at Covenant College provide a superior environment for learning computer science.
In addition, most programs in scientific and technical disciplines pretend that skills and information can be taught in a value-free manner. This is never the case. In fact, the assertion that some field of human endeavor can be held apart from and exist independently of God is a profound moral choice, regardless of the denials of those claiming moral neutrality.
At Covenant, our computer science students receive a thorough grounding in Christian teaching and worldview through Covenant's in-depth core curriculum. In addition, the relationship between computer science and Christianity is examined throughout the computer science curriculum.
Why Christians Should Care
Increasingly, the world in which we live is a world molded by computing. Many Christians have recently noticed that by failing to engage "Hollywood" they have lost an important chance to make a Christian worldview known. However, computing is molding our world far more than movies ever have. How it molds it - for good or for bad - is the result of a million individual decisions made each day by people in the computing industry. Christians need to be salt and light in this process.
Our Programs
Covenant College's Department of Computer Science offers a major in computer science, which is the broadest and most established of the computing disciplines. Our course work is based on the ACM / IEEE CC 2001 Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Science. The program requires 40 credit hours of COS courses as well as a supporting course in quantitative methods for a total of 44 credit hours. We also offer a minor in computer science.
Recent Senior Capstone Projects
- "Ethics & Virtual Reality”
- “Violence in Video Games”
- “Poverty Alleviation Through Online Collaboration”
- “Spyware”
- “Cyberterrorism”
Computer Science Internships
Our students have completed internships at a variety of companies, including:
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Paragon
- BlueCross BlueShield
- CFA Corporation
- Northrop Grumman
- NSA
- Mission to the World
- Lockheed Martin
- Southern Champion Tray
- LightSys
- CGI
- I3Harris
Where Our Alumni Are
Graduate Schools
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- University of Nebraska
- University of Texas, Austin
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Carnegie-Mellon University
Job Outcomes for Computer Science majors
- Mission to the World
- Systems Engineer, Akimbo, LLC
- Lead GIS Developer, VSolvIT
- OpenTable
- Ambition
- Lockheed Martin
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Northrop Grumman
- Southern Champion Tray
- Lamp Post Group
- Sage Technology Group
- US Express
- LivePerson
- Encompass Digital Media, Inc.
- QuickCue
- Skuid
- Accenture
- Rent the Runway
- Amazon
- Fidelity Investments
- CFA Corporation
Programs, Courses, and Requirements
Major and Concentrations
Minor
Graduate School of Education
Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs
Academic Certificates
- Arts Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
- Journalism and Society
- Medical Ethics Consultation
- Neuroscience
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Art
- Art, 2-D Concentration
- Art, 3-D Concentration
- Art, Art History Concentration
- Art, Graphic Design Concentration
- Art, Photography Concentration
- Art minor
- Art History minor
Biblical & Theological Studies
- Biblical & Theological Studies
- Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration
- Biblical & Theological Studies minor
- Biblical Languages minor
- History of Christianity minor
- Missions minor
- Youth Ministry minor
Biology
- Biology, Biomedical Concentration
- Biology, Environmental Concentration
- Biology, General
- Biology, Health Professions Concentration
- Biology minor
Business
- Business
- Business, Accounting Concentration
- Business, Finance Concentration
- Business, Marketing Concentration
- Sport Management
- Business minor
- Sport Management minor
Chemistry
- Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration
- Chemistry, General
- Biochemistry minor
- Chemistry minor
Computer Science
- Computer Science
- Computer Science minor
Economics & Community Development
- Community Development
- Economics
- Community Development minor
- Economics minor
Education
- Education Studies
- Elementary Education (P-5)
- Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program
- Education minor
Engineering 3:2 Program
- Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration
English
- English
- English, Writing Concentration
- English minor
- Writing minor
Health, Wellness and Coaching
- Coaching minor
History, Politics, and International Studies
- History
- History, Art History Concentration
- Political Science
- International Studies
- History minor
- Political Science minor
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations
Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Mathematics minor
Music
- Music, Church Music Concentration
- Music, Creative Studies Concentration
- Music, General Music Concentration
- Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration
- Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration
- Music, Organ Performance Concentration
- Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration
- Music, Piano Performance Concentration
- Music, Vocal Performance Concentration
- Music minor
Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Philosophy minor
Physics
- Physics
- Physics minor
Pre-Professional Programs
- Pre-Law Studies
- Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Pre-Physical Therapy Studies
Psychology
- Psychology
- Psychology minor
Sociology
- Sociology
- Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration
- Sociology minor
Theatre
- Theatre
- Theatre minor
World Languages
- French
- Spanish
- French minor
- Spanish minor