Computer Science
About Computer Science
Our Program and Courses
You can major or minor in computer science at F&M. You will learn about computer organization, data structures, and algorithms. Advanced study covers topics such as mobile application development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and bioinformatics. In a world where data privacy and technology is constantly changing, having an in-depth understanding of computing systems will serve you not only in your future career, but in your daily life, as well.
By the time you graduate, you will be able to demonstrate:
- Computational thinking and problem solving.
- The ability to communicate technical information to experts and non-experts alike.
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically across disciplines (such as biology, business, and mathematics).
- The ability to work individually and in teams, building on the work of others.
- Understanding of new developments in the field of computer science as they arise.
- The ability to communicate observations and discoveries orally and in writing.
- Advanced programming skills in a variety of programming languages.
- Sophisticated theoretical and applied computing-related problem solving skills.
Wondering what computer science courses are like? Explore our course catalog to see what classes are available to you.
Learning Outside the Classroom
The world of computing is vast — and at F&M, your education will be too. You’ll be empowered to connect your fascinations to meaningful experiences and bring theory and innovation to life.
Research Opportunities
As you dive into the intricacies of computer science, you may find yourself wanting
to further explore a particular area or topic. While most undergraduate institutions
reserve research opportunities for students in their graduate programs, at F&M we
want you to engage now — not later. In fact, F&M is ranked among leading national institutions that prioritize research activity. Computer science students have researched robot interaction, artificial intelligence
(AI) ethics, sensitive data management, phone security and data leaks, and more.
Explore research at F&M
Honors in Computer Science
Completing research or an independent study could also lead to honors in computer science. To be considered for honors, you must first be nominated based on the results of your independent study, after which you will continue to research your thesis, defend your findings, and complete requested edits on your results.
Internships
Gain experience now and a competitive advantage later. Internships not only enrich
your academic journey, but also allow you to immerse yourself in the day-to-day life
of your field prior to entering the workforce. Previous computer science students
have interned with prominent tech companies such as Amazon and MongoDB. You can even
submit an application to earn academic credit for your internship experience.
Explore internships at F&M
Off-Campus Study
Travel the globe to become a well-rounded scholar and person. Studying off campus
gives you extraordinary opportunities to encounter, engage with, and understand perspectives
around the world, strengthening your ability to live and work in our global society.
Computer science students have studied in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and
New Zealand.
Off-campus study experiences aren’t simply time away from campus; they’re meaningfully
woven into your entire academic journey. You will work with your academic adviser
and your off-campus study adviser for a full year to craft an experience that complements
your F&M degree and goals.
Explore off-campus study at F&M
Success Beyond F&M
The tremendous success of F&M graduates demonstrates the tangible value of an F&M degree when compared to national outcomes. Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2024 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.
As a computer science student you, too, will be prepared to excel in a variety of careers or graduate school programs. The intellectual and analytical activities that make up the work of computer science — including technical fluency, data gathering, collaborating with others, and critical thought — help you develop useful and productive skills you can apply to any post-college plan.
Graduate School
Computer science graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in a variety of disciplines, including science and engineering, advanced computer science, artificial intelligence, and information technology . They’ve pursued advanced degrees at institutions such as:
- Boston University
- Colorado School of Mines
- Columbia University
- New York University
- Rutgers University
- University of Oxford
- Virginia Tech University
Career Paths
Many computer science graduates embark on their chosen career paths immediately upon
graduating from F&M. They have landed at notable companies such as:
- Lockheed Martin
- Girls Who Code
- HBO
- Oracle
- Vanguard
They hold positions such as:
- Data Architect
- Database Administrator
- Engineer Application Developer
- Python Developer
- Research Scientist
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
- Software Support Engineer
- Tech Analyst
Center for Career and Professional Development
F&M’s Center for Career and Professional Development offers targeted, expert guidance
while you discover your professional calling and develop the skills you need to succeed.
Our career guidance is structured through “career communities” – dynamic groups aligned
with specific industries that transform your aspirations into clear options, meaningful
opportunities, and a network of support. Specifically, our STEM career community offers
tailored support for those driven to create the future through ingenuity.
Learn more
Research Spotlight
“Computer science is all about taking big problems and breaking them down into small pieces that computers can solve.”
“More and more companies are using XR training for their employees because of cost and safety concerns,” Jensen explained. “Computer science is all about taking big problems and breaking them down into small pieces that computers can solve. This project gives students a real-world problem to solve by using their classroom learning.”
Read More »
Alumni Spotlight
From the Gridiron to the Computer Grid
“I took a range of classes just to explore my options, and it wasn’t until I signed up for a computer science course that things started to click. I liked the logical structure of coding and the way it challenged me to think differently,” Brown said. “Eventually it became clear this was the direction I wanted to pursue.”
Brown is now a software engineer for Lockheed Martin, one of the largest companies in the aerospace, military support, security, and technologies industry.
“My computer science classes gave me a solid foundation for the technical side of my software engineering job,” he said. “I relied on the problem-solving skills I built at F&M to make meaningful contributions.”
Read More »
Course Spotlight
F&M Course Empowers Students to Design AI Ethics Curriculum
“What we will work on moving forward is making this information accessible outside of F&M, so that other colleges can have access to creating components of machine ethics. Because in an age where machines and AI and technology affect everybody, we need it,” said Elshaddai “El” Muchuwa ’26, a government and cognitive science double major.
Read More »
Related Fields of Study
Bioinformatics
Immerse yourself in a rapidly-expanding field that combines the study of biology, chemistry, computer science, and applied mathematics. By studying bioinformatics at F&M, you’ll explore how to develop methods and software tools for understanding biological data.
Cognitive Science
How do minds fit into the natural world? When you study cognitive science at F&M, you’ll employ intellectual tools from several disciplines to understand the nature of the mind and how it works, functions, and behaves.
Mathematics
The study of mathematics is ancient, and its roots in clear and creative thought can still be seen today. While studying mathematics at F&M, you will learn both the fundamental foundations and theories of the field as well as how to apply these theories to real-life problems.
F&M Computer Science in Action
November 21, 2025
What is Extended Reality–and Why are F&M Students Researching It?
Learning by doing is in our DNA as Diplomats. For Sujal Shah ’27 and Kha Nguyen ’28, this meant collaborating with their computer science professor to research how extended reality can be used for safer, more effective employee training.
October 23, 2025
Get to Know F&M's New Faculty
This fall, five new professors joined the Franklin & Marshall faculty—a vibrant community of scholars who shape the College’s distinctive academic experience. Their research interests range from parasitology to documentary film, from diplomatic networks in the Middle East to algorithmic surveillance online. Read on to get to know these new members of our campus community and hear what they had to say about the F&M experience, life in Lancaster, and more.
August 7, 2025
Binayak Jha ’27 Dives Into Finance Fundamentals at Wharton Academy
At F&M, Binayak Jha ’27 found a place to explore his passions—and the support to pursue educational opportunities off campus. This summer, the computer science and mathematics major attended the Wharton Academy, an immersive business program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.