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The study of computers and computational systems is known as Computer Science. Computer scientists, unlike electrical and computer engineers, work primarily with software and software systems, including theory, design, development, and implementation.

Artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, bioinformatics, and computing theory are all major fields of study in Computer Science.

Although programming is an important part of Computer Science, it is just one aspect of the field. Computer scientists create and evaluate algorithms to solve problems and research computer hardware and software performance. Computer scientists deal with a wide range of issues, from the abstract (determining what problems can be solved with computers and the complexity of the algorithms that solve them) to the concrete (designing applications that work well on handheld devices, are simple to use, and adhere to security measures).

Graduates of the NWU School of Computer Science and Information Systems are lifelong learners who can rapidly adjust to new situations in this demanding profession.

If you studied Computer Science and Information Systems, you would have acquired a variety of technical and non-technical abilities ranging from leadership to programming skills that are highly desired by companies. The expanding scope of computer science provides you with many career options in a range of highly specialised fields. Financial institutions, management consulting businesses, software houses, communications firms, data warehouses, multinational corporations, governmental agencies, universities, and hospitals are among the entities that are likely to demand your services.

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If you studied computer science, you would have acquired a variety of technical and non-technical abilities, ranging from leadership to programming, that are highly desired by companies. Because of the expanding breadth of computer science, you have a lot of options in a range of highly specialised fields. Because computers are such an important part of contemporary life, your computer science abilities are likely to be in great demand in a variety of fields. Financial institutions, management consulting businesses, software houses, communications firms, data warehouses, multinational corporations, governmental agencies, universities, and hospitals are among these entities.

Consultant in Information Technology

An IT consultant advises customers on the planning, design, installation, and use of information technology systems to achieve their business goals, solve issues, or enhance the structure and effectiveness of existing IT systems, working in collaboration with them. Because you represent a wide IT function, your employment will be comparable to that of systems analysts, systems designers, and applications programmers, who have more specialised responsibilities but nonetheless work as consultants.

Consultant in cyber-security

You may choose to specialise as a cybersecurity consultant or an information security expert, depending on the computer science specialties you studied throughout your degree. Because maintaining cyber security has become more essential, you will concentrate on identifying the threats to information or data security in this position. To guarantee that sensitive data is secured, you will evaluate where security breaches may occur or have happened, and repair or strengthen systems against such breaches. This job may include 'ethical hacking,' which is trying to hack into your employer's network in order to reveal any flaws. You may also work as a computer forensics analyst or investigator to fight the growing problem of cyber-crime.

Manager of information systems

An information systems manager, like an IT consultant, is typically a full-time employee who is responsible for the safe and efficient functioning of their company's computer systems. You'll be in charge of the entire upkeep of your organisation's ICT infrastructure (possibly with the help of a team of IT staff), with typical responsibilities including overseeing system installation, ensuring systems are backed up and that backup systems are working properly, purchasing hardware and software, setting up secure access for all users, and ensuring data security.

Database Administrator

A database administrator (DBA) is in charge of correctly and securely utilising, creating, and maintaining a computerised database's performance, integrity, and security. The exact job is always defined by the company in question, although it is likely to include only database maintenance or database development specialisation. The position is also influenced by the database type, as well as the procedures and capabilities of the database management systems (DBMS) in use at your company.

Multimedia Programmer

A multimedia programmer is in charge of designing and developing multimedia computer products, as well as ensuring that they are functional and adhere to a designer's specifications. To create multimedia elements such as text, music, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modelling, animation, and video, you'll utilise both creative and technical abilities. You will need to collaborate with the designer to grasp the design idea, explain how it can be done technically, define the operational rules required, create efficient computer code or script to make the features function, test the product for problems, and revise or add new code as needed.

Computer systems analyst

A systems analyst works with computers and other systems to create new IT solutions, as well as to alter and improve existing systems to include new features or improvements, all with the goal of increasing company efficiency and productivity. This position requires a high degree of technical competence as well as a thorough understanding of current business processes. Depending on your company, clients may be internal, such as divisions within the same corporation, or external.

Video game developer

Games are created for PCs, consoles, social/online games, arcade games, tablets, mobile phones, and other handheld devices by game developers. This job is divided into two sections. There's the creative aspect of game creation, which includes dealing with graphics, animation, and storyboarding. Second, there's the programming side, which involves the use of programming languages like C++. It would be beneficial to have studied similar elements throughout your degree to improve your chances of getting into games development jobs. You should also put up a portfolio (for creative jobs) or a functioning demo (for programming roles) containing samples of your work to show companies.

Technical document author

Technical writers are needed in various sectors to provide descriptions or instructions that assist customers comprehend how to utilise a product or service. Because you may be creating manuals for high-tech goods, the strong technical knowledge you acquired throughout your computer science degree will be extremely helpful in this job, especially your understanding of software packages. From banking to nuclear energy, technical writers operate in a wide range of sectors. Appropriate expertise, as well as excellent writing abilities and the ability to communicate instructions effectively in the relevant language or languages, are all advantageous.

Other options with a computer science degree include working in other areas of development (such as web, games, systems, products, programs, and software), as an analyst (whether business continuity, systems, or technical), as a database or network administrator, or in academic or industrial research, contributing to the on-going research. You may also go into teaching, IT training, journalism, management, or entrepreneurship as a computer science major.