Why Study Computing at Winthrop


Hear from a Current Student (YouTube.com 1:19)


Videos of Our Students' Work

Winthrop's Internet of Things Hack-a-Thon, Spring 2018, sponsored by Comporium (4:08, youtube.com)
Students in Rock Hill's 3D printing competition, Fall 2018 (2:20, youtube.com)
DIFD Seniors present their projects at Red Ventures' headquarters, Spring 2019 (41:00, youtube.com)


 

Top 5 Reasons to be a Computing Major at Winthrop University

 

Jobs

Our graduates get great jobs! Many of our seniors have multiple job offers months before graduation. Starting salaries range from $60K to $100K; based on major, GPA, and extra activities on your resume. 

Options

We offer several computing majors at Winthrop: computer science, digital information design, cybersecurity, and computer information systems. Not sure which one is right for you? That's okay because they all start with the same freshmen programming courses. So if you change your major after a couple of semesters of taking specialized courses for your major, most of your courses still count toward another degree and your graduation is not delayed.  For students who plan to earn a two-year degree at a South Carolina Technical College before transfering into Winthrop, we offer the Applied Software Development degree as a "2+2" transfer program.

Opportunities

We provide you with a variety of opportunities to engage with your discipline outside of your coursework. Top employers want to see that you did more than the minimum for four years, which is to complete your courses. They want to see on your resume an internship, or research project, or leadership in club, or a service project, or competition in a hack-a-thon, or anything else. Our job is to provide you with opportunities to build your resume. It is your job to jump into something you find interesting.

Professors

At Winthrop, our computing professors' primary responsibility is teaching, not research funding. They are all experts in the topics they teach. At large universities your freshmen and sophomore computer science classes would probably be taught by graduate students, not real professors. At Winthrop, all your computer science classes, even your freshmen classes, are taught by full-time professors. All our faculty devote regularly scheduled hours each week outside of classes to help you with your coursework. Our computer science faculty members have won awards for their teaching, research, and service.

Size

Winthrop is large enough to provide you with many opportunities, but not so large that you will get lost in the crowd. Your largest computer science classes with have about 40 students. Some of your senior elective courses might have just 15 students. Your professors will know you. They will know your career plans and can connect you to employers and alumni to help you get an internship or paid summer research position. 

 

March 2024
Programming Contest
Freshmen, Sophomores, Junior and Senior computing majors participating in a programming contest organized by Dr. Wiegand.
2024 Department Programming Contest
Spring 2024
UPE Induction Ceremony
Faculty and family members gather for the induction of students into the honor society for computing majors.
2024 UPE Ceremony
Fall 2023
Faculty
Computing & Information Sciences
Photo of Faculty
Spring 2023
Student, Alumni, and Facuty Mixer
Spring Mixer
Spring 2023
Senior Project Presentations at Rock Hill's Gravity Center
DIFD 451 Presentations
Fall 2020
CSCI 475 Presentations
to External Customers
via Zoom
CSCI 475 Presentations via Zoom
Computing Science majors and Finance majors competing together.
San Diego, CA, Spring 2020
Students at Contest
Dr. Besmer - 2019 Winthrop Outstanding Junior Professor
Left to Right : Provost, Dept Chair, President, Besmer, Dean
Doctor Besmer
Internet of Things Hack-a-Thon - 2018. Internet of Things Hack-a-Thon
DIFD Seniors presenting their projects in the conference room of a software development company. DIFD Seniors