School of Computing UofU calendar UofU index UofU directory Map About Salt Lake SoC Calendar University of Utah University of Utah

What is computer science?

When people think of computer science, they think of IT staff, pocket protectors, incomprehensible letter sequences, and machines that crash at a moment's notice. But the truth is that if you've used a cell phone, made a Google search, bought something on Amazon (or anywhere else), downloaded an IPhone app, seen a Pixar movie, added a friend on Facebook, watched something on Hulu, twittered, or recommended a movie on Netflix, you've been part of the computer science revolution.

Computer Science is the study of computing: the place to go to understand how best to solve problems in a step by step, methodical (yes, computer-like) manner. What can you do with a degree in computer science?

  • Build things (like a robot that can play soccer)
  • Invent things (like the next generation of search engines)
  • Create things (like the next great video game)
  • Figure out how things work (like protein folding)


  • School of Computing • 50 S. Central Campus Dr. Rm. 3190 • Salt Lake City, UT 84112
    801-581-8224 • Fax: 801-581-5843 • Send comments to webmaster@cs.utah.edu
    Disclaimer