Computing combines technical knowledge with judgment, creativity, and communication. The skills you develop depend on your program, course choices, and practical experience. When comparing programs, look for opportunities to apply ideas, receive feedback, and improve your work.
Technical Foundations
Depending on the discipline, your studies may include:
- Problem solving and programming: breaking problems into smaller parts, designing algorithms, writing code, and investigating errors.
- Data and evidence: organizing and analyzing data, examining its quality, and interpreting results with attention to assumptions and uncertainty.
- Systems and software: understanding how computing components work together, translating needs into designs, and testing whether a solution meets its requirements.
- Security and privacy: identifying risks and considering how technical decisions affect information, systems, and people.
People and Responsible Decisions
Useful computing work begins with understanding a problem and the people affected by it. Look for opportunities to investigate user needs, consider accessibility, and evaluate the social and ethical consequences of a proposed solution.
When working with AI and other automated tools, practice checking outputs, documenting your methods, and following the rules of your course or project. Evaluate results against evidence and the purpose they are intended to serve.
Communication and Collaboration
Projects can help you practice explaining ideas, writing clear documentation, giving and receiving feedback, and coordinating work with others. They also provide opportunities to manage time, acknowledge sources, and reflect on decisions that did not work as expected.
Keep Learning
Use CS2023’s Knowledge Areas and our Curricula Recommendations to explore the foundations of different programs. The ACM Learning Center provides additional learning resources; access conditions vary by resource.