The University of South Dakota

First in South Dakota

The Department of Computer Science - the very first in South Dakota - provides a high-quality degree program at the undergraduate and graduate level. We maintain high academic standards through a curriculum designed to focus on the theory and practice of computer science, as well as new and exciting technologies.

Quick facts:

• We have ongoing relationships with major technology companies in the region.
• We are just the right size, big enough to provide a very competitive program but small enough for students to have easy access to the faculty.
• We offer Technology Fellowships to qualified students.
• We use current, state-of-the art equipment.
• We are a leader in delivering a powerful network environment to students.

Technology Resources

• We maintain our own computational facilities, classrooms, student laboratories, and the Computer Science Research Lab. An integrated network of Unix, Linux, and Windows Server 2003 servers provide a technology-rich environment.
• We are a long time participant in the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance, various academic initiatives with Sun Microsystems, as well as the IBM Academic Initiative.
• All departmental technology is current, state-of-the art equipment.
• We manage about 200 workstations, including PCs, Unix workstations, thin-client Sunrays, and laptop computers. Classrooms are wired and we participate in the University's wireless network. Students are not required to have their own computer, but those who do only need a network card to get connected.

Every student at USD is provided a single computer account for accessing all computer and network resources (available 24/7). The computer accounts provide network data storage, web-based e-mail, the ability to build your own home page, and access to online course materials.  

Opportunities

Opportunities for students in computer-related employment are numerous at The University and in the surrounding community:

• The department hires a number of students to work in our computer labs and has a number of undergraduate and graduate research fellowships available.
• The University's IT department hires students to work in various divisions including campus networking.
• Many academic departments use Computer Science students to develop and maintain web pages. Also, the department has numerous scholarship opportunities.
• Undergraduate students should check out their eligibility to become a Technology Fellow.
• Several department scholarships are available to those who study Computer Science.

Some of the areas that attract our students are software development, database development and management, networking, and IT management. Also, our graduates go on to do advanced graduate work here at USD or other universities around the country.

Research

Research is of paramount importance in our program. Check out our research initiatives.

News

Keep up-to-date with what we're doing! See our News page and our department newsletters.

Student Organizations

Our students have access to three computer science-oriented organizations on campus: the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Upsilon Pi Epsilon and the Computer Science Executive Advisory Board.

Want to know more? 

Submit an information request form and we will mail you a customized information packet. Come check out The U!