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Department of

Computer Science


Carousel placeholder image Andrew Arnold, Trevor Eckhoff, Nicholas Rossano, and Mitchell Mackoul are completing a capstone project for Whiting-Turner.
Jan 27, 2023
Students design VR safety training for nationwide construction management company
Construction sites can be dangerous places, and Florida Polytechnic University capstone design students are working to make them safer.
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Carousel placeholder image Innovation, Science, and Technology Building
Jan 18, 2023
New analysis shows Florida Poly majors prep grads for top-paying careers
A recent analysis linking college majors to high-paying careers concluded that technology-driven and engineering positions are among the most immediately lucrative. As the only state institution with an all-STEM curriculum, Florida Polytechnic University is preparing its students to enter the top field on the list, as well as many other high-paying careers listed.
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Carousel placeholder image Osaki Pokima
Jan 4, 2023
Florida Poly alum achieves ambition of becoming cybersecurity pro
Osaki Pokima '20 pursued an education at Florida Polytechnic University to fulfill his goal of working in cybersecurity. Today, he is a senior implementation engineer at Fortress Information Security, based in Orlando, Florida. The company is one of the nation's largest cybersecurity providers of supply chain risk management and asset vulnerability management solutions.
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Carousel placeholder image Students play video games at the Fall Game Expo
Dec 3, 2022
Fall Game Expo spotlights student-created video games
High school students from across the region flocked to Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, Dec. 3, to try out student-created video games and learn about education and career paths in computer science during the annual Fall Game EXPO.
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Carousel placeholder image Chris Didier
Nov 21, 2022
Alum turns entrepreneur with new video game design studio
Florida Polytechnic University alum Chris Didier '18 is living out his childhood dreams. His professional life since graduation ushered him into the world of software engineering and development, and he has used this experience to launch his own video game studio.
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From the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Computer Science at FloridaPoly. Florida Poly provides leading-edge degree programs that prepare graduates to take on today’s fastest growing fields. Our mission is to serve students and industry through excellence in education, discovery, and application of engineering and applied sciences.

Shahram Taj

The computer science program at Florida Poly is among the first undergraduate degrees created at the University. The computer science program is an ABET-accredited high-quality program focused on education and applied research. Our degrees are STEM education-based programs that yield highly skilled graduates who have strong knowledge in the fundamentals of computer science and who are able to apply that knowledge to design and implement solutions for arising challenges. The program prepares students for clear and concise communication when working in a team environment and careers in industry, government, and academia. 

The department offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. During their undergraduate degree, students will join one of our many concentrations that we continuously review and evaluate for potential adaptation or establishment. Our current concentrations are:

  • Autonomous Systems
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Game Development and Simulation
  • Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
  • Software Engineering
  • Advanced Topics (a non-concentration option where students choose 12 hours of coursework comprised of courses in the other concentrations or electives in the field).

I am excited to be the chair of the Computer Science Department. Alongside my assistant chair, Dr. Doga Demirel, we are working with our students, faculty, and staff to make meaningful contributions in the field of computer science, and graduate students who are job-ready on day one. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Shahram Taj
Chair, Department of Computer Science

 

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Computer Science News

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Program and Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the Computer Science program, graduates will have the ability to:

#1

Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.

#2

Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.

#3

Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.

#4

Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

#5
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
#6
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. 

Meet the Faculty

Umar Khalid

Umar Khalid

Adjunct Professor
Assistant Professor - 9
Riley Kiefer

Riley Kiefer

Adjunct Professor

Supportive Environment

Many elements of Florida Poly life come together to create a rich and successful student experience.
A student talking with her academic success coach.

Advising

Florida Poly's academic success coaches are available to meet with students about many topics, including registration and academic success coaching.
career fair

Career Development

The Office of Career Development provides comprehensive career services to students, alumni, and employers. Our highly trained staff is dedicated to helping you make your career dreams a reality.
capstone

Capstone Design Projects

Computer science students work together in an interdisciplinary, year-round industry-sponsored Capstone Design Project, providing high-impact solutions in a variety of fields. Some examples include working to improve surgeries and creating next-generation risk assessment tools. 

labs

Innovation Labs

Our Innovation Labs give students the opportunity to test their big ideas on the same advanced equipment used in leading industrial and corporate environments.

career fair

Internships

Computer science students have successfully completed internships in companies such as PublixSteamroller StudiosIronRock, MMG FusionFCCI, and more. 

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Co and Extra Curricular Activities

There's more to the college experience than lectures and lab work. Florida Poly has more than 35 student clubs that are run by students for students. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions and explore new interests by joining a club. The activities below are a few of the clubs that computer science students most often get involved with.

The Cybersecurity Club is a collective of Florida Poly students who want
to learn both offensive and defensive cybersecurity. The club covers a broad range of topics relating to cybersecurity.
Florida Poly’s Programming Club is a place where people with an appreciation of programming and any level of skill can come togethr to learn and have fun. 
Students focus on building Combat, VEX, and other robotics and entering them in competitions around the region and across the nation. The Purple Fire Robotics team welcomes students of all skill levels to join. 
Members of the Media Club work to provide students with the equipment to discover and explore current and emerging forms of media, including video production, game development, and audio production. 

Facilities and Resources

The Simulation, Instruction, and Multimedia (SIM) Lab is one of the most dynamic and hands-on labs on campus. It supports students across all majors as they undertake complex, innovative projects. Wearable computers, media production, game development, and simulated environments regularly take shape in the lab, which features a multisensory communications center continually updated with new technologies. Tomorrow’s digital obsessions take shape here, with augmented reality and virtual reality – and Florida Poly students – playing a starring role.