Associate of Science - Computer Science

Graduates of Merritt College's Associate of Science in Computer Science degree will have the skills required for entry level software development. This degree combines both CTE & Transfer outcomes and integrates entry level skills for software development with curriculum in secure coding, hacking techniques, automation of security operations, and DevOps.

This Computer Science degree infuses Computer Science competencies with Cybersecurity competencies and is aligned with curriculum guidance from governing bodies such as the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). The curriculum is mapped to the nationally defined Knowledge Units (KU) and articulates into four-year programs in both Computer Science and Cybersecurity.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: • Select the appropriate design and implementation to solve a problem within given constraints. • Analyze computer architecture to formulate estimates of performance. • Explain the fundamentals of problem solving and analysis. • Analyze software design and/or implementation and make suggestions to improve security. • Design and Implement software to automate security operations.

Career opportunities include entry-level positions as Application Software Developers, Computer Systems Analysts, Systems Software Developers, Information Security Analysts, and Network and Computer Systems Administrators. Additional career opportunities include entry-level jobs in the fields of software development, cybersecurity (secure software development), DevOps (the use of software to automate operations, blockchain services and mobile applications, high performance computing, data science, and artificial intelligence).