Renowned as an independent Lutheran institution, Valparaiso University, established in 1859, is known for its academic excellence and vibrant community spirit. With a commitment to affordability, it offers doctoral degrees, master’s programs, and graduate certificates, and undergraduate degrees, fostering the career aspirations of aspiring professionals. Over its 165- year history, Valpo has seamlessly blended outstanding academics with cutting-edge research and modern facilities across its expansive 300-acre campus. Notable facilities include the Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center, the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources, and the James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility, crafted by Valpo students and alumni.
The university prides itself on its diverse faculty and student body, fostering an inclusive environment. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, its labs are led by top-tier faculty, promoting active learning and hands-on experiences. The Department of Computing and Information Sciences prioritizes small class sizes, typically capped at 20 students, with a strong emphasis on personal interaction between faculty and students. Valparaiso University offers a dynamic curriculum, featuring innovative courses led by faculty with industry experience, covering a range of topics from cloud computing to cryptography. Students are encouraged to engage in faculty research projects and co-op opportunities from their first semester, providing valuable experiential learning and career development.
Fostering Excellence in its Offerings
Valparaiso University's Department of Computing and Information Sciences boasts faculty with advanced degrees and rich professional backgrounds, ensuring a wealth of industry-informed expertise. Actively engaged in teaching enhancement activities, faculty maintain their cutting-edge knowledge through research and professional development in areas such as software engineering, cyber security, and networking. The university offers merit-based scholarships and work-study positions to support graduate students in the MSIT program, providing interdisciplinary experiences and practical teaching opportunities. The program's curriculum emphasizes professional readiness, with courses in professional writing, research, and practice, complemented by workshops from the Career Center and Office of International Programs.
Collaborative efforts with ACM and IEEE chapters offer interview support, alumni insights, and community outreach, enhancing students' career prospects. Through events like the joint campus symposia, students showcase their work, honing their public speaking skills and preparing for success in both their careers and wider communities. Valparaiso University nurtures a dynamic learning environment where students emerge as confident leaders ready to make a difference.
"Valparaiso University nurtures a dynamic learning environment where students emerge as confident leaders ready to make a difference"
Nurturing Career Success
Valparaiso University's Department of Computing and Information Sciences prioritizes personalized career preparation, ensuring that each student is equipped to achieve their professional aspirations. A remarkable 97 percent of both undergraduate and graduate students secure employment or pursue advanced studies within nine months of graduation, demonstrating the department's commitment to fostering successful transitions into the workforce or further education. To support students on this journey, the department maintains an active chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), collaborating closely with the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Through these partnerships, students benefit from a range of career preparation workshops facilitated by the Valparaiso University Career and Alumni Network, as well as invaluable connections with alumni networks.
Embedded within the curriculum are dedicated courses, such as the capstone course in professional development, designed to integrate professional skills and job search strategies seamlessly into students' academic experiences. The department's objectives extend beyond university-wide placement rates, aiming to surpass them for undergraduate students while providing tailored, cutting-edge capstone experiences for graduate students. By offering a holistic approach to career readiness, Valparaiso University's Department of Computing and Information Sciences strives to maximize outcomes for every student, empowering them to thrive in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to the computing industry and beyond.
Bridging Academia & Industry
As previously mentioned, the department maintains extensive connections with industry practitioners and organizations. Its faculty not only possess academic expertise but also boast substantial professional experience in various industries. Collaborations with industry bodies such as the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) enrich the academic environment. Students have the opportunity to participate in professional research projects under faculty guidance.
Various programs and projects offer students avenues for involvement. The collaborative game design project, now in its second year, introduces innovative approaches to software development. Upholding a longstanding tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration, partnerships extend across campus, involving the College of Engineering, College of Business, French language program, Satellite Networked Open Ground Station (SATNOG) satellite project, and the Chapel of the Resurrection. These collaborations facilitate discussions, refinement, and the creation of outcomes that support students in their interviews and subsequent employment. The University has also received a $25,000 Ball Venture Fund Grant from the Independent Colleges of Indiana to establish an on-campus Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, with the computer science program as a key collaborator.
The department remains committed to offering flexible, project-driven courses such as full-stack development and cloud computing. An intentional emphasis on computer science, coupled with a strong focus on serving others through computing, encourages engagement with novel approaches both inside and outside the classroom. A willingness to experiment across various contexts fosters a dynamic and stimulating learning environment.
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