PSU’s popular major blends core courses on programming, systems, and theory with a wide selection of electives that cover everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning to web and cloud development.
During your time in the program, you’ll:
- Learn about programming, cybersecurity, AI, data management, languages, networking, graphics, and more from expert faculty with real industry experience.
- Design and build software that addresses real-world needs.
- Get instruction in theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and more.
- Participate in collaborative projects with student organizations like the Portland State Aerospace Society, which helped to launch Oregon's first cube satellite.
- Gain valuable industry experience through paid internships with local tech companies like Intel, Nike, Amazon, and Zoom.
You’ll grow personally and professionally as you learn how to problem solve through a creative lens, and prepare to join the next generation of computer scientists.
You’ll be deeply engaged in your education as you work with instructors, peers, and the local tech community to grow your expertise and create new opportunities through:
Real-world work experience
More than half of our students land major-specific internships though programs like our Engineering Work Experience and Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program. These unique programs offer you paid work experience at top companies while you earn your degree.
Career preparation
You’ll work with the team in our career success center to craft job-landing resumes, practice interview skills, network with local companies, and attend job fairs with potential employers. Maseeh has an 85% job placement for graduates, and computer science majors in the industry can expect a starting salary of more than $90,000.
Specialized Coursework
You’ll take foundational courses on programming, systems, and theory and explore new topics through electives and specialized coursework. Our world-class labs offer students hands-on experience with theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and much more.
Our computer science Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Program Criteria.
In addition to being admitted to PSU, you must also meet the eligibility requirements and opt into the upper division program in the Computer Science Bachelor of Science program.
Located in downtown Portland in the heart of the Silicon Forest, Portland State University is ideally situated to provide you with the experiences and connections you need to succeed in the computer science industry.
Our urban setting places us within a growing community of leading computing and tech companies, companies that are eager to collaborate with PSU students and hire them too.
In recent years, PSU computer science students have leveraged the school’s location to:
- Land paid internships at top companies like Amazon, Hewlett-Packard, and Jama Software.
- Network with peers and professionals in computer science-specific programs like the PSU/PDX Cooperative Education Program (PCEP) and the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP).
- Collaborate with peers and local business mentors to design and implement software that benefits a charity, government, school, company, organization, or individual in the community.
With so many opportunities available in Portland, you’ll find your path at PSU and prepare yourself to join a growing and rewarding field.
When you join Portland State’s computer science program, you'll get connected to Portland’s growing high-tech industry and start preparing to get a competitive job in the computing industry.
Our program welcomes students into our diverse community, and teaches them specialized skills that prepare them to work in:
- machine learning
- software engineering and development
- cyber and data security
- data analysis
- graphic design
- game development
- systems analysis
- database and systems administration
- business computer systems
Our graduates are high-demand hires for jobs at companies such as Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Daimler Truck, eBay, Intel, and Tektronix, with starting salaries of more than $90,000 in the industry.
Students also go on to graduate programs, where they research topics like artificial intelligence, biomedical signal processing, intelligent robotics, machine learning, and cyber security.
Whether you want to get hired or conduct research in graduate school, PSU’s computer science program will help you start a successful career.