Liberal Arts: Computer Science (AA)
Program Overview:
Take a Deep Dive into the World of Computers
Do you like to learn how things work? Do you enjoy learning about technology and applying what you learn? Consider becoming a computer scientist!
As computers have become part of our daily lives, we forget how they work and how they help us accomplish even the most minimal tasks. As a computer scientist, you will be the one who understands computers and helps develop new hardware and software to enhance our lives and activities. Computer science careers are in high demand around the world. And, even though it can be very challenging work, it is also highly satisfying to solve problems and create new technologies to help others.
As technology leads the way in all facets of work and entertainment, you will be needed to work on all types of projects from setting up new computers to managing an entire network or department for a corporation. Computer science positions are in demand and will continue to grow as technology continues to change.
Careers in Computer Science
Computer science is an ever-growing industry. Computer Scientists are entrepreneurs, software and web engineers, analysts and network administrators and work in every industry computers, websites and networks are found.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with an Associate in Art in Liberal Arts Computer Science degree.
Career information below taken from bls.gov February 2020. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components. Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $110,970/year | $53.35/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 9% increase (faster than average) | 3,720 |
Invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Master's Degree | $118,370/year | $56.91/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 16% increase (much faster than average) | 31,700 |
Provide help and advice to computer users and organizations.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Some college | $53,470/year | $25.70/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 10% increase (much faster than average) | 863,100 |
Create applications or systems that run on a computer or another device.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $105,590/year | $50.77/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 21% increase (much faster than average) | 1,365,500 |
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $82,050/year | $39.45/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as faster as average) | 383,900 |
Plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $142,530/year | $68.53/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more | 11% increase (much faster than average) | 414,400 |
Write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $84,280/year | $40.52/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 0% increase (little or no change) | 250,300 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Liberal Arts Computer Science
You can get an Associate in Science degree (AS) through LASC’s Liberal Arts Computer Science program where you will:
- Be introduced to a comprehensive curriculum in computer science that focuses on key computer components and software rather than the intricacies of how computers work. You will gain fundamental knowledge on databases and data structures.
- Gain invaluable experience working individually and with teams to understand what computer science truly means and how computers enhance our daily lives. From desktops to mobile, this program will give you the 30,000-foot level view of computer science to help you find exactly where you want to focus on such a vast subject.
- LASC provides internships so you can get hands-on work experience, build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- You will discover how to research new industry trends and products so you can stay on top of new innovations happening in the industry.
- Want to transfer? Visit your counselor to learn how you can transfer with this degree and continue in your career through the university level.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Art Liberal Arts Computer Science degree below along with our suggested course of study for this program. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 706.00
Total Units Required: 60
As a student, upon completion of this program, you will:
- Become well-versed in various career opportunities in IT industry and be able to pursue employment in computer-related fields, as well as enhance your employability.
- Use Web technologies, mobile devices, and personal computer technologies and apply your acquired technical skills to navigate and establish a presence through the use of cyber and social networking.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| CO SCI 601 Introduction to Computers and Their Uses | 3 |
| CO SCI 602 Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CO SCI 608 Beginning BASIC Programming | 3 |
| CO SCI 630 Microcomputer Application Software | 3 |
| CO SCI 632 Introduction to Database | 3 |
| CO SCI 636 Introduction to Data Structures | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
As a student, upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Work individually or on a team to perform computational tasks using operating system environments and develop problem-solving algorithms for given tasks.
- use computer science concepts, including the study of the properties of algorithms, which includes linguistics, virtual hardware development, and application development.
| Required Courses | Units |
|---|---|
| CO SCI 601 Introduction to Computers and Their Uses | 3 |
| CO SCI 602 Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CO SCI 608 Beginning BASIC Programming | 3 |
| CO SCI 617 Beginning Micro Assembly Language | 3 |
| CO SCI 630 Microcomputer Application Software | 3 |
| CO SCI 632 Introduction to Databases | 3 |
| CO SCI 636 Introduction to Data Structures | 3 |
| CO SCI 639 Programming in C | 3 |
| CO SCI 660 Business Systems Design | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 27 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Want to go into computer science? You can start preparing for your career before your first class starts at LASC:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss if going to a four-year college or university would be a good match for your career goals.
- Still in high school? Find out if your school has a computer club to join. Contact local businesses to possibly shadow a network administrator or IT employee for a week. Follow computer science and software developer blogs and social media sites to learn about the industry.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a student, upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Become well-versed in various career opportunities in the IT industry and be able to pursue employment in computer-related fields, as well as enhance your employability.
- Use Web technologies, mobile devices, and personal computer technologies and apply your acquired technical skills to navigate and establish a presence through the use of cyber and social networking.