Are you interested in becoming a computer programmer, Web designer or network administrator? You might enjoy learning more about computer science at Central College. Central offers a broad range of computer science courses. Students gain experience working with computer programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and PHP. Computer science graduates are well prepared for immediate employment or graduate programs. Past graduates have gone on to become application developers, network administrators, systems analysts, Web programmers and software engineers.
Bernadette Allen ’78, Jeff Oliver ’79, Steve Sikkink ’83, Kathy Sikkema ’84 and Clay Thompson ’90 will be new members of the Central College board of trustees.
Robert Franks, professor of computer science, was awarded the Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professorship of the Liberal Arts. The chair has an illustrious history intertwined with beloved faculty members.
Central students and faculty provide lessons in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to middle school students.
Omer Ali ’12, a Sudanese refugee, struggled with coming to America and to Central before finding his stride as an entrepreneur.
Darius Joseph ’89 took a chance on Central—and then on his own company. Now he owns a successful IT consulting firm in Fort Myers, Fla.
Internship experiences, which are recommended for majors, provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge. Central works with students to gain internship experience locally, regionally including an opportunity to spend a semester in the Chicago Metropolitan Center. Past internships include:
Learn more about internships at Central.
Freshman year
Sophomore year
Junior year
Senior Year
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
The Vermeer Science Center underwent a $20-million renovation and expansion that was completed in fall 2003. The building contains 13 high-tech classrooms. Each contains a ceiling-mounted projector, computer with flat panel monitor, Wolfvision document camera, combination VCR/DVD player and a Ken-a-vision flex camera. Vermeer also contains several computer labs with new Dell computers with flat panel monitors and the most recent versions of math and science computer programs. Numerous science laboratories with state-of-the-art science equipment allow students to conduct their own research. Central was awarded a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) medal rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), making the science center the first LEED-rated building in the state.
The computer science program is also proud to offer a unique computing laboratory with an advanced networking lab which allows students to get hands-on computer networking experience. The laboratory includes an eight node, 16 processor cluster to support high performance, parallel computing activities. The laboratory also has other advanced technologies to support courses and independent studies.
Central's math and computer science department maintains its own website with even more information about majoring in math or computer science.
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization you’ll be interested in! The mathematics and computer science department regularly organizes social activities for its students. Computer science majors may also be interested in joining a team for one of the programming contests that Central regularly participates in.
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
