The Computer Science undergraduate certificate program at Full Sail University equips students with a fundamental understanding of computer science through problem-solving in programming languages. Through the study and application of industry-standard practices and object-oriented programming, students will explore the pillars of computer science, including logic, algorithms, functions, and control flow. Students gain hands-on experience with the programming languages, software development tools, and technical workflows used in modern software development. The curriculum builds foundational programming knowledge, introductory systems programming skills, debugging, and problem-solving techniques using industry-standard technologies, integrated development environments (IDEs), and Git for version control.
Through practical coding projects, students will develop experience with the fundamental concepts and collaborative tools used in professional software development. The program prepares students to pursue entry-level opportunities in technical support, software validation, application support, and other technology-focused roles that provide a foundation for continued growth in software development and related fields. Students will expand their critical-thinking skills and demonstrate their working knowledge of computer science by participating in an immersive team project in building targeted software solutions. As AI-assisted tools become increasingly integrated into software development, students develop the AI literacy needed to use generative AI and other emerging technologies effectively, responsibly, and ethically. The curriculum emphasizes logic, problem-solving, and foundational programming skills, enabling students to evaluate AI-generated code, understand its strengths and limitations, and apply AI-assisted tools appropriately throughout the software development process. Through project-based learning, students build a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to apply programming concepts, use industry-standard development tools, and solve programming challenges.
The goal of the Computer Science undergraduate certificate program is to provide students with a foundational understanding of computer science. Across the curriculum, students build core technical competencies, including programming, debugging, and logic, while advancing their knowledge in introductory software development and system-level thinking. Through hands-on, project-based work, students practice implementing software solutions and applying collaborative development practices, including code reviews. Students will obtain basic skills and practice with concepts that will be translatable to entry-level positions as quality assurance testers, scripters, and tool developers. In addition to building introductory programming experience, students in this program will broaden their technical proficiency as well as creativity in development. The Computer Science undergraduate certificate program will help students foster the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills required to enter the computer science and software development industries. Students will also build fluency with current computer science tools and workflows, including AI-assisted tools that support informed decision-making and professional judgment in software engineering.