Reach out to the Computer Science department chair, Dr. Kevin Sanft, by email at ksanft@unca.edu. He’s always happy to chat with prospective students!
Computer Science Department
Why Study Computer Science at UNC Asheville?
In our Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program, you’ll learn in-demand technical skills and programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. Our dedicated faculty, collaborative research opportunities, and interdisciplinary approach empower you to thrive in this rapidly evolving computer science and technology industry.
Computer Science Department Programs
Computer Science
B.S. Minor
Our computer science program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare you for a wide range of exciting career paths. From software engineering and visualization research to web development, system administration, and academia, our program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various fields.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
A computer science degree from UNC Asheville prepares you for a wide range of career paths in a constantly evolving technological landscape. You’ll gain expertise in areas like software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity, all while honing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Our curriculum, which emphasizes hands-on projects and collaborative learning, ensures you’re ready to tackle complex challenges and innovate in your chosen profession.
Concentrations & Specialties
Concentrations & Specialties
Areas of Speciality
Undergraduate research is a strength of our program. We have faculty specializing in artificial intelligence, robotics, deep/machine learning, natural language processing, games programming, data science/analytics, computational biology, human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and open source software development. Students can tailor the program through elective courses, undergraduate research projects, and their capstone project.
Outside the Classroom
Outside the Classroom
Student Life
Beyond the classroom, UNC Asheville offers plenty of ways for Computer Science students to connect and grow. The ACM Student Club welcomes all students for tech talks, coding challenges, and social events. The state-of-the-art Esports Center features high-end gaming PCs, consoles, racing rigs, and competitive varsity teams in games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rocket League. Combined with UNC Asheville’s Division I athletics and more than sixty campus organizations, students have endless opportunities to get involved, build networks, and enrich their college experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Our introductory programming courses (CSCI 18X) have no prerequisites. Only about 25% of our students do have prior CS / programming experience (though that number is rising).
Any student who is accepted to UNC Asheville can take courses and / or major / minor in Computer Science. There is no additional application into the program.
Software Engineer is the most common job title. Students also get jobs in data analytics and business informatics at banks and insurance companies. We’ve had graduates work in firmware engineering at SpaceX, Globus Labs (University of Chicago), internal application development/blockchain at IBM, cybersecurity in northern Virginia, virtual reality in Raleigh, etc.
We offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (major), with two concentrations: Computer Systems and Information Systems. We also offer a Computer Science minor
The two concentrations are similar. They prepare you for the same jobs. The core courses are the same in both. Computer Systems has one more required Computer Science course (and two courses that are different between the concentrations), one additional Math course and two physics courses. However, the physics courses fulfill the Lab Science requirement of the Liberal Arts Core. So, in practice, Computer Systems ends up being about three more courses total than Information Systems. Information Systems is for those whose priority is to finish as quickly as possible (for example, if trying to double major.)
- Individual attention — small class sizes, faculty who know you. Faculty teach all aspects of the courses, not Teaching Assistants.
- Modern, flexible curriculum — curriculum is rigorous but provides relatively low required credit hour requirements, which makes it easier to take free electives or add additional minors or majors.
- Value — the tuition is much lower than most comparable CS programs.
- Faculty who excel at and focus on teaching.
- With no graduate students, undergraduate students are the focus.
- Our graduates are well-rounded, empowered, and get great jobs.
The average class size is about 17. Introductory classes are typically capped around 20-24, depending on the classroom.
Any fairly recent laptop (Mac or PC) should be fine for most students. However, if you take the Virtual Reality or Game Programming courses, some of the game engine software libraries have more substantial system requirements, so if you want to run these on your personal machine, you might want a newer/higher-end model. (These game engine system requirements change over time but you can look up the system requirements for the “Unity” and/or “Unreal” game engines to get a sense of the current requirements).
Undergraduate research is a strength of our program; we have faculty specializing in artificial intelligence, robotics, deep/machine learning, natural language processing, games programming, data science/analytics, computational biology, human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and open source software development. Students can tailor the program through elective courses, undergraduate research projects, and their capstone project. You can learn more about our specialties here.
Yes. We offer a two-course Systems sequence that introduces students to the foundations for cybersecurity. We also offer a Cybersecurity course every spring semester. We sometimes offer “special topics” courses in cybersecurity as well. Students interested in cybersecurity can also pursue undergraduate research projects and/or choose their two-semester capstone project to be in that area.
Yes. We offer a Game Programming course, as well as courses in Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality. Students interested in game programming can also pursue undergraduate research projects and/or choose their two-semester capstone project to be in that area.
You can visit https://registrar.unca.edu/transfer-students/transfer-credit-equivalencies/ (or search “unca transfer credit equivalency”). That page has information on transfer credit and a table for AP exam credits
We can tailor the requirements based on your experience, so it’s often best to discuss your situation with the Computer Science department chair. Email Dr. Kevin Sanft at ksanft@unca.edu.
I chose this path because computer science is a perfect harmony of creativity and logic, and it enables us to create applications that solve novel problems and make the world a better place.”
Computer Science Department Faculty
The Computer Science Department at UNC Asheville is made up of a skilled group of professors who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. These individuals are dedicated to teaching and actively participate in research, contributing to advancements in different areas of computer science. With their guidance, you’ll receive a comprehensive education and gain valuable industry insights.
Kevin Sanft, Ph.D.
Department Chair of Computer Science
Office: 226 Rhoades Robinson Hall
Phone: 232-2275
Email: ksanft@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Please email to make an appointment (ksanft@unca.edu).
Marietta Cameron, Ph.D.
Professor, Computer Science
Office: 216A Phillips Hall
Phone: 250-3919
Email: mcameron@unca.edu
Office Hours
Please email to make an appointment (mcameron@unca.edu).
Kenneth Bogert, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Office: 221A Rhoades/Robinson Hall
Phone: 255-7133
Email: kbogert@unca.edu
Susan Reiser
Senior Advisor to the Provost & Collaborative Co-Founder of STEAM Studio
Note to UNC Asheville community: Office hours are subject to change. Please visit my Google calendar for updates and/or to schedule appointments.
Farzana Rashid, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Office: Rhoades Robinson 224
Phone: 250-3918
Email: frashid@unca.edu
Michael Sarris
Lecturer of Computer Science
Office: 218 Rhoades/Robinson Hall
Phone:
Email: msarris@unca.edu
Office Hours:
Monday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Please email for an appointment (msarris@unca.edu).
Jamie Wilhelm
Administrative Assistant
Office: Rhoades Robinson 303
Phone: 828.251.6556
Email: jwilhelm@unca.edu
Math Department Contact Information
Rhoades Robinson 303
828-251-6556
Computer Science Contact Information
Rhoades Robinson 215
828-251-6446
Adam Whitley, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Office: 222 Rhoades/Robinson Hall
Phone: 250-3920
Email: awhitley@unca.edu
Note to UNC Asheville community: Office hours are subject to change. Please visit my Google calendar for updates and/or to schedule appointments.
Ready for what's next?
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina Asheville and gain the skills to excel in software development, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.