Computer science is the study of computers and computing and their theoretical and practical applications. In a way, computer science is to software engineering as biology is to bioengineering. However, many people who study computer science work as software engineers, and many (or even most) software engineers studied computer science. As a result, we include it in this list of engineering categories because it is ever so slightly different than software engineering.
Specializations:
- Algorithms and complexity
- Architecture and organization
- Computational science
- Graphics and visual computing
- Human-computer interaction
- Information management
- Intelligent systems
- Networking and communication
- Operating systems
- Parallel and distributed computing
- Platform-based development
- Programming languages
- Security and information assurance
Skills
- Math (discrete math, statistics, calculus, geometry)
- Programming languages (often multiple, e.g., Python, C++, Java)
- Algorithmic analysis
- Set theory
- Pattern recognition
- Graphics
- User interfaces
Societies:
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): The technical objectives of the IEEE focus on advancing the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, and computer engineering as well as computer science.
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): ACM, the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, delivers resources that advance computing as a science and a profession.
- ACM Special Interest Groups (SIGs): 37 groups dedicated to specific topics in computer science and software engineering.
- Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI): Nonprofit scientific society devoted to advancing the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines.
- Association for Women in Computing (AWC): One of the first professional organizations for women in computing focused on promoting the advancement of women in the computing professions.
- Computing Research Association: Mission is to enhance innovation by joining with industry, government, and academia to strengthen research and advanced education in computing.
- Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T): ASIS&T is the preeminent professional association that bridges the gap between information science practice and research. ASIS&T members represent the fields of information science, computer science, linguistics, management, librarianship, engineering, data science, information architecture, law, medicine, chemistry, education, and related technology.
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM): Advance the application of mathematics and computational science to engineering, industry, science, and society. Research areas include computational science and numerical analysis, control and systems theory, data science, classical applied math, imaging sciences, and life sciences.
Conferences:
- ACM Symposium on Computer and Communications Security
- DSN - International Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks
- PODC - ACM Symposium on Principles of Distributed Computing
- PPoPP - ACM SIGPLAN Symposium on Principles and Practice of Parallel Programming
- SIROCCO - International Colloquium on Structural Information and Communication Complexity
- HiPC - International Conference on High Performance Computing
- SC - ACM/IEEE Supercomputing Conference
- CCGRID - Cluster, Cloud and Grid Computing
- SRDS - IEEE International Symposium on Reliable Distributed Systems
- ISCAS - IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems
- ISCA - International Symposium on Computer Architecture
Sources
Wikipedia, Try Engineering (IEEE), Computer Science Conferences, US News: What Can You Do With a Comp Sci Degree?, Encyclopedia Britannica, Texas Wesleyan Computer Science Professional Associations, professional association websites
