Computing is much more than word processing and spreadsheets. Technical degrees are valued in all fields. With an estimated 78 percent of the U.S. population alone using the Internet in 2011, the demand for top performers in the computer science field will only continue to grow.
At Olivet, you will prepare for your professional career and a lifetime of learning. Studying computing and gaining a liberal arts education will benefit you for the rest of your life – no matter what path you take.
You will gain valuable insight about the many ways technology is revolutionizing every facet of society. For example, one of our seminar classes focuses on the ministry of New Tribes Missions and Wycliffe, and their use of computer technology in proclaiming the Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.
We will give you the opportunity to build your Christian character and professional values. Caring and knowledgeable professors will equip you to work through real world ethical dilemmas.
Olivet continues to pursue new ways to meet the needs of today’s learners. For example, in 2010, the Department of Computer Sciences sought and received a grant of $200,000 from the National Science Foundation to develop a course curriculum and lab instruction in computational science. Through this grant, faculty and students are working side-by-side to develop a new course that will help scientists understand and work with computer technology; and help students see computing’s integrative connections with other disciplines.
Putting knowledge to work
We will challenge you daily to learn outside the classroom. You have several opportunities from which to choose.
Senior capstone project and senior research problems: Gain valuable research and practical application experience under the guidance of a faculty member
Internships: Gain valuable real-world experience in your field of interest. Recent internships include:
- American Red Cross of Kankakee County, Ill., IT support and website development
- Manteno (Ill.) School District CUSD5, IT support and server virtualization project
- Proctor Hospital, Peoria, Ill., Health Informatics and Technology Department, eCare Portal Pocket Guide update and SolCom training
- Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Ill., Cyber Security Division, firewall configuration and logging
- Morton Salt, Chicago, Ill., IT support
Study abroad programs: Two ideal opportunities for computer studies are at Korean Nazarene University in Cheonan, Republic of Korea, and Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Technology mission trips: Our department’s motto is “Minds for Computing and Hearts for Serving.” Serve on a mission trip with other computer science students. Use your valuable technology talents and skills to help others. Students recently served in Los Angeles, Costa Rica and Honduras, setting up computer labs, teaching people how to use computers, and fixing hardware and software problems.
Computer Science Club: Enjoy social activities, parties, outdoor social events and guest speakers with other CS majors. Take part in presenting your own research during one of our professional seminars. Participate in a service project to help area residents. Recently, we worked with junior high and high school students in the greater Kankakee area with their project for robotics competition. On campus, we are available to help students, staff and faculty with their computer problems.
Careers
Alumni careers include: educational software developer, consultant, data processing, information technology, professor, software sales, software engineer
Companies and organizations that have employed our graduates: State of Illinois, State Farm Insurance, Bank of America, Olivet Nazarene University, Sogeti Consulting & Technology Solutions, Applied Systems, Lexmark, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Navy, Sycamore/KEYW Corporation, NASA, Johnson & Johnson, Baker & Taylor, BAE Systems
Participation in professional organizations
Oracle Academy (OA)
Microsoft Developers Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA)
Association for Computing (ACM)
ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE)
ABET, Inc.
Areas of study:
Business Information Systems, B.S.
Computer Engineering, B.S.E.
Computer Science, B.A. and B.S.
Information Systems, B.A. and B.S.