According to the U.S. Labor Department, the computer systems analysts profession is expected to be among the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. through the year 2010. The demand for systems analysts and other skilled computer professionals is expected to increase as organizations attempt to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems.

As international and domestic competition increases, organizations will face growing pressure to use technological advances in areas such as factory and office automation, telecommunications technology, and scientific research. Many more computer trained individuals will be needed to incorporate these advances in new or existing systems. The Computer Science degree program at Finger Lakes is designed to meet the growing need for well-trained computer personnel.

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Computer Science at Finger Lakes Community College is a technical degree, offering you a solid core of required computing science courses. The degree also requires a core of mathematics (including Calculus I and II) and science courses in addition to required liberal arts courses necessary to transfer with full junior status to four-year institutions. The curriculum in the program is continually updated to reflect new changes in technology such as the Internet and the latest networking concepts.

In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students enrolled in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

Computer information resources for student learning are extensive at FLCC.  Our classrooms and computer labs are equipped with state-of-the-art personal workstations connected to a local area network (LAN).  We also provide wireless network capabilities for all students with laptops.  Full access to the internet is also provided throughout the campus.  Courses are taught using both MS Windows and Linux environments.  Computer labs are open evenings and weekends, and are also available at the FLCC Geneva and Wayne County Campus Centers.  The College also offers a computer certification and testing center at its Canandaigua campus, where students can take exams for Microsoft, Cisco, CompTia, and other technologies.

A wide variety of software packages and peripherals are available to support classroom instruction, and through our library, students have on-line access to respected research databases such as Lexis Nexis, Expanded Academic Index, Medline, and others. In addition to classroom and lab experience, you may attend panel discussions with FLCC alumni who are working in computer areas, participate in field trips to computer sites, and attend seminars with transfer colleges and a "Career Day Breakfast."

Graduates of the program have transferred to many four-year private and public institutions such as the Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College of Rochester, SUNY Colleges at Brockport, Geneseo and Utica/Rome, among others*, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. They have gone on to become systems analysts, programmers, consultants, and network administrators at such companies in the Finger Lakes region as ExxonMobil, Thompson Health, Garlock, Sutherland Group, and Canandaigua National Bank and Trust Company, among others.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, median annual earnings of computer systems analysts were $59,330 in 2000. Salary levels vary depending on the industry segment, geographic region, and level of education and experience attained. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that the starting offers for graduates with master’s degrees in computer science averaged $61,453 in 2001.

*This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Brenda Brockman Beck Scholarship is awarded annually to a computer science major who meets the specific criteria of the award. For details, contact a member of the Computer Science Department or the Financial Aid Office.