Computing, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Software Engineering
Preparing graduates for today’s career and tomorrow’s opportunities
College of Arts and Sciences
Location: Crete
Degree Type: Undergraduate
Doane’s Computing program provides students the competency for positions in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and/or Software Engineering. What distinguishes Doane graduates from their peers are the essential non-technical competencies cultivated through the active-learning emphasis and liberal-arts focus of Doane. These competencies, along with technical competencies, are developed through immersive experiences both inside and outside the classroom. These make graduates of the Computing program highly sought after by employers and graduate schools.
The competencies, developed with guidance from industry partners and alumni of industry professionals, are captured in five outcomes pursued in all courses and experiences. The Computing program creates an environment that challenges students as they develop confidence and competencies as:
- Computing professionals
- AI, Cybersecurity and/or Software Engineering specialists
- Problem-solvers
- Independent learners
- Ethical decision-makers
- Communicators
Doane’s Computing program offers students opportunities to develop a foundation of technology- related knowledge and hands-on competencies with current tools. In addition, two important topics - ethics and career development - are intentionally woven into the structure of every course. Together, the competencies, knowledge and threads prepare students not only for the next step professionally or academically but are also of immense value throughout a career.
Unique Experiences in the Computing Curriculum
The Doane Computing program is very flexible, allowing students to tailor their experience to their interests and talents. There is one major, Computing, and three emphasis areas that are in high demand: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Software Engineering. Each emphasis area also offers a minor and a certificate.
All majors are encouraged to complete a minor, certificate or second major. Some of the programs commonly combined with Computing include engineering, data analytics, graphic design or business.
Other unique experiences available to Computing students to help them prepare for being a computing professional include entering a mentorship with an alumnus in the computing field, working with Doane’s computing professionals as part of work-study opportunities and participating on the programming and/or cybersecurity academic competition teams.
Program Information
Cybersecurity Minor
Software Development Minor
Artificial Intelligence Minor
Catalog content to come soon.
Cybersecurity Certificate
Software Development Certificate
Artificial Intelligence Certificate
Catalog content to come soon.
Career Paths
A student earning a Computer Science degree enjoys an extremely robust job market, with occupations projected to grow 13 percent over the next 8 years, faster than the average. Doane graduates have enjoyed a competitive advantage securing jobs at some well-known businesses including: Don’t Panic Labs, Boys Town, Fiserv, Foundation for Educational Services, Hudl, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, the Minnesota Vikings, Nelnet, Sandhills Publishing, Scooters, the State of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska, and Doane University.
Software Developers
2017 Median Pay: $103,560
Job Outlook: 24% over the next 10 years
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.
Web Developers
2017 Median Pay: $67,990
Job Outlook: 15% over the next 10 years
Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
2017 Median Pay: $81,100
Job Outlook: 6% over the next 10 years
Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.
Computer Support Specialists
2017 Median Pay: $52,810
Job Outlook: 11% over the next 10 years
Computer support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. These specialists either support computer networks or they provide technical assistance directly to computer users.
Information Security Analysts
2017 Median Pay: $95,510
Job Outlook: 28% over the next 10 years
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Courses
Internships
Doane Computer Science majors complete an internship as part of their course of study, so each graduate has at least one semester of on-the-job experience by the time they graduate. Doane students have had internships at a wide variety of organizations, including Crete Carrier, CS3 Marketing, Firespring, Kidwell / IBM, Lockheed Martin, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Nelnet, Sandhills Publishing, the University of Georgia Bioinformatics Department, and many more. Doane’s network of computer science alumni provides a rich opportunity for our students to earn valuable career experience through internships.
Faculty and Staff
Research
Every Doane Computer Science graduate will have at least one major independent project, developed as part of their senior capstone course. In addition, there are opportunities to engage in undergraduate research projects, while working one-on-one with Doane faculty members. Current research areas of interest include machine learning (neural networks and genetic algorithms), virtual reality applications developed in Doane’s VR lab, computer vision as applied to the natural sciences, and high-performance computing utilizing Doane’s very own supercomputer, Onyx. Many of these capstone and research projects have led to conference publications and presentations by Doane students.
Student Organizations for Computing Students
Doane Academic Competition Team: Programming
The Doane programming team competes in at least two intercollegiate programming competitions each year, matching their skills against teams from other colleges and universities from all over the upper Midwest. The team meets weekly to practice, learning how to solve complicated problems with advanced programming techniques. Starting in the 2019-2020 academic year, members of the programming team will earn college credit for participating in the practices and competitions. In addition, scholarships are available for team members.
The Guild is Doane's largest themed community. Hosted through Smith Hall, the guild is focused on all things gaming! Video games, board games, card games and so much more. The Guild hosts several events on campus throughout the year including charity livestreams and gaming competitions. Guild members also have access to the Smith gaming room equipped with two large televisions and ample room for gaming of all sorts.
Project SERVE and Noyce Scholars
Interested in having K-12 students get excited about science? Doane has received the largest National Science Foundation grant in school history with a goal of recruiting and retaining STEM teachers in urban and rural schools in Nebraska, where they are needed the most. Ten Doane undergraduate STEM students will receive $14,000 in their junior year and $24,000 in their senior year and become a part of a group of students who will participate in seminars, have a mentor and attend STEM education conferences all with a goal of preparing you to teach in a high need urban or rural school.
Doane Academic Competition Team: Programming
The Doane programming team competes in at least two intercollegiate programming competitions each year, matching their skills against teams from other colleges and universities from all over the upper Midwest. The team meets weekly to practice, learning how to solve complicated problems with advanced programming techniques. Starting in the 2019-2020 academic year, members of the programming team will earn college credit for participating in the practices and competitions. In addition, scholarships are available for team members.
The Guild is Doane's largest themed community. Hosted through Smith Hall, the guild is focused on all things gaming! Video games, board games, card games and so much more. The Guild hosts several events on campus throughout the year including charity livestreams and gaming competitions. Guild members also have access to the Smith gaming room equipped with two large televisions and ample room for gaming of all sorts.
Project SERVE and Noyce Scholars
Interested in having K-12 students get excited about science? Doane has received the largest National Science Foundation grant in school history with a goal of recruiting and retaining STEM teachers in urban and rural schools in Nebraska, where they are needed the most. Ten Doane undergraduate STEM students will receive $14,000 in their junior year and $24,000 in their senior year and become a part of a group of students who will participate in seminars, have a mentor and attend STEM education conferences all with a goal of preparing you to teach in a high need urban or rural school.
Special Programs for Computing Students
The purpose of the Exceptional Student Curriculum (ESC) is to provide undergraduate students majoring in Computing unique curricular offerings to complement their Doane liberal arts education. To be successful taking these offerings, students must have demonstrated sustained academic excellence, be self-motivated and have strong independent learning skills. Courses available each semester come from undergraduate courses designed jointly by a student and a faculty member. The courses are offered as a directed study with content from external partners including Microsoft Professional Program in the Cloud Administration, IT Support, Artificial Intelligence tracks and EdX partners in computer-related areas. Paths to master’s degrees and professional certifications are also available.
Students who have academically excelled have the option of entering the Computing with Honors program. Students apply for the program typically sophomore year and must be unanimously approved by the Computing program faculty. Once approved, in addition to completing additional courses, the student will complete a significant undergraduate research project working with a faculty member. The undergraduate research is often completed during the summer, and if part of Doane's larger summer research program, has stipends associated with it.
Students who have earned a significant number of college credits through AP or dual-enrollment programs may be eligible for the three-year graduation program in Computing. These students, in conjunction with an advisor in the Computing department, create an academically intensive three-year schedule, allowing the student to complete the four-year degree in three years.
The purpose of the Exceptional Student Curriculum (ESC) is to provide undergraduate students majoring in Computing unique curricular offerings to complement their Doane liberal arts education. To be successful taking these offerings, students must have demonstrated sustained academic excellence, be self-motivated and have strong independent learning skills. Courses available each semester come from undergraduate courses designed jointly by a student and a faculty member. The courses are offered as a directed study with content from external partners including Microsoft Professional Program in the Cloud Administration, IT Support, Artificial Intelligence tracks and EdX partners in computer-related areas. Paths to master’s degrees and professional certifications are also available.
Students who have academically excelled have the option of entering the Computing with Honors program. Students apply for the program typically sophomore year and must be unanimously approved by the Computing program faculty. Once approved, in addition to completing additional courses, the student will complete a significant undergraduate research project working with a faculty member. The undergraduate research is often completed during the summer, and if part of Doane's larger summer research program, has stipends associated with it.
Students who have earned a significant number of college credits through AP or dual-enrollment programs may be eligible for the three-year graduation program in Computing. These students, in conjunction with an advisor in the Computing department, create an academically intensive three-year schedule, allowing the student to complete the four-year degree in three years.
Computing students engage with concepts integral to virtually every facet of our modern world. They use logical thinking, technical expertise, abstraction, ethical decision-making, business acumen, psychology, communication, and other skills in their problem-solving processes.
Students will recognize the ubiquitous nature of computing in our world as they interact with other programs. As students intentionally practice the computing and non-computing skills, they will understand how our discipline is interconnected with many other campus programs.
The computing program is built to develop students as real-world problem-solvers. We work hard to ensure that the computing and non-computing skills learned enable our students to leave Doane and become effective software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, or other computing professionals. These skills also allow them to be successful problem solvers in different communities outside their profession.
Computing students engage with concepts integral to virtually every facet of our modern world. They use logical thinking, technical expertise, abstraction, ethical decision-making, business acumen, psychology, communication, and other skills in their problem-solving processes.
Students will recognize the ubiquitous nature of computing in our world as they interact with other programs. As students intentionally practice the computing and non-computing skills, they will understand how our discipline is interconnected with many other campus programs.
The computing program is built to develop students as real-world problem-solvers. We work hard to ensure that the computing and non-computing skills learned enable our students to leave Doane and become effective software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, or other computing professionals. These skills also allow them to be successful problem solvers in different communities outside their profession.
