Cultivate
Provides opportunities inside and outside the classroom to cultivate and enhance your overall learning and academic experience.
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Department of Computer Sciences
Explore the Computer Science Major
The B.S. in Computer Science offers a broad-based preparation in the field with appropriate support in mathematics, science, communications, and ethics. The major’s curriculum is designed to provide substantial training in the major areas of computer science, with an emphasis on software engineering principles and practices.
What Are Milestones?
Milestones are activities students should complete and skills they should develop during their first year, middle years and final year at MSU Denver.
Major Milestones help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan that makes the most of their time at MSU Denver and sets them up for post-graduation success.
Career Milestones provide ways to explore options for jobs and/or attending graduate school after graduation and help students understand the types of essential skills employers look for.
Both types of Milestones integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom), and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences.
Career Milestones Resources
There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.
Essential skills built through majoring in Computer Science include:
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Technology
- Teamwork & Collaboration
Learn more about essential skills.
Our majors find themselves most often in Software Development, Defense & Aerospace, and Telecommunications.
Explore career opportunities by major.
Students interested in graduate school often pursue degrees in Computer Science and/or Cyber Security at CU Boulder, Colorado State University, and the Colorado School of Mines.
Learn more about applying to graduate school.
Major Milestones Resources
Learn more about Major Milestones for your major and how to make the most of your time at MSU Denver!
How To Get The Most Out Of This Page
Follow These Steps
- Click on your year in school from the list below.
- Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
- Complete any necessary steps listed.
- Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.
All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.
Major Milestones Categories
Engage
Highlights activities you can engage and participate in globally, nationally and locally to enhance your essential skills and start building your resume.
Prepare
Lists steps to prepare for postgraduate success whether that's entering the workforce, attending graduate school or pursuing other goals and plans.
Arrive! What to Explore During Your First Year at MSU Denver
- Attend orientation and register for classes.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor.
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.
- Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
- Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
- Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).
- Check out Career Link for on campus and career-aligned jobs.
- Attend Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) career workshops and events.
- Write your early experience resume and utilize resume resources from the C2Hub.
- Attend CS Community Hour Events.
- Attend a tutoring session or meet 1-1 with a student learning assistant.
- Meet with an instructor (during office hours).
- Join the MSU Denver student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Join women in computing local or national organizations.
- Consider areas outside your major.
- Meet with your advisor and draft a path to your graduation.
- Learn about major areas within the computer science and related fields.
- Learn about faculty-led research projects.
Thrive! Make the Most of Your Middle Years at MSU Denver
- Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
- Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
- Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.
- Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
- Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
- Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.
- Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
- Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
- Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.
- Participate in programming events like hackathons and programming competitions.
- Apply for a student assistant position.
- Create study groups with your classmates.
- Visit MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub).
- Build your LinkedIn Portfolio.
- Meet with faculty for career advice.
- Attend job fairs.
- Apply for jobs.
- Organize mock interviews with classmates.
Soar! Maximize Your Final Year at MSU Denver
- Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
- Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
- Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.
- Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
- Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
- Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.
- Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
- Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
- Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
- Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.
- Join or create your own open-source project.
- Create study groups on topics of your preference in computer science or technology-related fields.
- Attend conferences and events in the area of your preference.
- Reach out to alumni of the program who are making a difference in their community.
- Learn about new legislation initiatives that may impact your area of interest within computer science or technology in general.
- Develop a summer program to increase the interest of women in computer science.
- Attend job fairs.
- Apply for jobs.
- Organize mock interviews with classmates.
Roadrunner Roads
Things every student should do at MSU Denver.
Roadrunner Upkeep
- Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF/Scholarship Applications every year.
- Stay on track for graduation by meeting with your advisor every year and check into the Rowdy Pit Stop every semester.
- Read The Runner in your email every Monday.
Roadrunner Career Readiness
- Find and get hired for jobs during college and beyond by visiting the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub and utilize their resources for students.
- To be prepared for any opportunity that comes your way, update your resume early & often.
- Explore options for hands-on learning and graduate school & get prepared for both.
- Log in to Career Link each month to stay up to date on programs, events, and job/internship opportunities.
Roadrunner Wellbeing
- Explore wellness and belonging resources from CESA.
- Access mental wellbeing support through the Counseling Center.
- Visit Rowdy’s Corner when you need some food access support.
- Nourish your physical well-being by checking out the Rec Center and Exercise Sciences, including for-credit courses.
- Determine your need for a Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver each semester.
Follow Us
Contact the Department of Computer Sciences
Connect with Us
Phone: (303) 615-0399
Email: [email protected]
Campus Location:
Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building (AES)
Suite 200DD