Computer Science - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

Why does HCC offer several associate transfer degree programs in programming? What is the difference between majoring in Computer Science, Information Systems Management - Programming/Technical, and Information Technology - Programming?

Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology majors at HCC the same programming classes such as Java, C++, Python and JavaScript. The math requirement is the biggest difference—look carefully at the required courses for each degree. At your transfer school the upper-level programming courses might be different. As a graduate, a computer science major would have the math to equip themselves for work in engineering firms or research laboratories, while an information systems major would not. Information systems and Information Technology majors, however, can work in many businesses programming and application design careers that require no math beyond calculus.

If you are transferring to UMBC, you must take both semesters of C++ at HCC. Other schools strongly urge you to take both sequential semesters of introduction and advance level programming language at the same school (either Java or C++). At statewide meetings, both two- and four-year schools agree on the topics that need to be covered by the end of the second C++ or second Java course, but the sequences may differ. Thus, taking one course at one school and then transferring might cause you to miss an important topic or two.