The College of Engineering is implementing an accelerated computer science undergraduate degree program in an effort to appeal to non-traditional and transfer students.
Coretta Douglas, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science undergraduate coordinator and instructor, said this is a demanding — not abbreviated — program.
Douglas said this program may be a better option than a four-year degree program — based on the individual.
“[Some] people are attracted to the job opportunities and willing to set aside their lives, possibly borrow money and put their lives on hold,” Douglas said.
Enrollment increased by 41 percent in the past five years, according to the College of Engineering’s website.
Douglas said additional sections of introductory computer science courses were added to accommodate the growth, and enrollment is up in 3000 and 4000 level courses.
Douglas said the baby boomer generation’s retirement is partly responsible for the demand for professionals in the computer science industry, combined with the commonness of technology use.
“People have to replace the baby boomers,” Douglas said.
If enrollment in computer science continues to grow as predicted, the department will make more computer science courses available during intersessions, said Warren Waggenspack, College of Engineering associate dean.
The new degree program, combined with internship and career opportunities in Baton Rouge, will assist in attracting more potential students to the University.
“We have a strong and growing digital-centric industry sector here,” Douglas said. “This allows students to stay here for an internship, instead of having to potentially leave for a year.”
Louisiana has America’s “strongest, most comprehensive incentive for the industry” and “strategic investments in higher education and alignment from the state to local levels,” according to the Louisiana Economic Development website.
Electronic Arts operates in the University’s Louisiana Digital Media Center, which also houses the University’s interdisciplinary research center, the Center for Computation and Technology.
Students who choose the University over other colleges in Louisiana have access to unusual electives, such as video game design and artificial intelligence, Douglas said.
The new degree program is the equivalent of obtaining a four-year computer science degree, not a recreation of the current curriculum, said Waggenspack.
“The goal is to reduce calendar time,” Waggenspack said.
Waggenspack said such calendar time is saved by taking general education courses during summer and winter intersessions.
“Students are interested in computer science more than ever now,” Douglas said. “It’s everywhere now.”
“[Some] people are attracted to the job opportunities and willing to set aside their lives, possibly borrow money and put their lives on hold,”