Academic Programs
A background in mathematics, computer science and statistics complements a solid Christ-centered liberal arts core to give Union graduates a lifetime career advantage. An education with an emphasis in the mathematical and computer sciences teaches students to think critically, solve problems creatively, organize information, handle technical language and notation, and to speak and write effectively. Many businesses today place a priority on these analytical and communication skills.
Union’s computer science program provides you with many benefits including:
- Academically challenging and competitive programs
- Committed Christian teaching faculty
- A low 11:1 student to faculty ratio
- Dedicated state-of-the-art computer labs
- Cloud based labs and projects
- Opportunities to train and work as a student technician or developer
The department offers several plans of study: Computer Science major, Cybersecurity major, Data Science major, Computer Science minor, Web Development minor, Game Development minor, Cybersecurity minor, Data Science Minor, Computer Information Systems minor, and interdisciplinary minors in Digital Media Studies and Computational Engineering Science.
Minors Offered
Computer Science
The Computer Science Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in computer science or a related field immediately upon graduation.
- Intro to Computer Science
- Programming in Python
- Cyber Ethics
- Database Management Systems
- Data Communications and Networking
Game Development
The Game Development Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in game development or a related field immediately upon graduation.
- Intro to Computer Science
- Programming in C#
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Game Engine & Architecture
- Game Design
Web Development
The Web Development Minor is intended for students interested primarily in pursuing a career in software development or a related field immediately upon graduation.
- Intro to Computer Science
- Foundations of Web Development
- Human Computer Interaction and Design
- Front-end Development
- API & Serverless
Digital Media Studies
The Digital Media Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program joining Art, Communication Arts, and Computer Science. Its purpose is to produce a student aesthetically, theoretically, and technologically trained and capable of excellence in the relatively new area of the design, production, and implementation of digital communications media. Included are such areas as web page design, digital visual and aural communications strategies and theory, interactive media design, media programming, digital presentation techniques, and technological advances in digital communications.
Choose at least two courses from each area. You will choose a third course from one areas of interest.
Art Courses
- Foundations: Introduction to Digital Media
- Graphic Design 01: Introduction to Graphic Design
- Graphic Design 02: Identity Systems
- Graphic Design 03: Typography
- Graphic Design 04: Digital Design for The Screen
- Graphic Design 05: Motion Graphics
Communication Arts Courses
- Visual Storytelling
- Digital Photography
- Media Theory & Trends
- Organizational Communication
- Interactive Media I
- Social Media Theory and Strategies
Computer Science Courses
- Foundations of Web Development
- IoT and Mobile Devices
- Human Computer Interaction and Design
- Computer Graphics
- Front-end Development
Data Science
The Data Science Minor is intended to provide a foundation of data science knowledge to help a student apply data science principles within their major of focus.
- Intro to Computer Science
- Discrete Mathematics
- Programming in Python
- Statistics
- Matrix Algebra
- Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
- Data Analytics
- Data Visualizations
- AI and Machine Learning
Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity Minor is intended to augment another major and provide instruction in the areas of Cybersecurity that crossover into other disciplines like business and technology. The minor will provide a foundation of human security, data analytics, risk management, privacy, and audit.
- Human Security and Awareness
- Introduction to Business Analytics And Decision-Making
- Data Analytics
- Data Visualizations
- Security and Risk Management
- Data Security and Privacy
- Security Assessments and Audits
Computer Information Systems
The Computer Information Systems Minor will provide the student with a general understanding of analysis, design, and implementation of applications via third- and fourth-generation programming languages and pre-written packages. This minor is intended for the student expecting to use computers in a job-supportive mode.
- Intro to Computer Science
- Programming in Python
- Programming in C#
- Cyber Ethics
- Database Management Systems
- Foundations of Web Development
- Data Communications and Networking
- Professional Writing
Computational Engineering Science
- Introduction to Matlab and Computer Programming
- Survey of Computational Engineering
- Computational Analysis of Structures - Finite Element Methods
- Programming in C#
- Parallel Computing
- Linear Algebra
- Numerical Analysis