About the Department

The Department of Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Physics, and Statistics at Azusa Pacific University offers undergraduate degree programs in engineering, computer science, and computer information systems; provides computer literacy courses and support courses for science majors that prepare students for graduate study and success in their chosen careers; and assists students in applying their knowledge and skills in service to a society based on an understanding of Christian truth and values.

View the ECS department website for upcoming campus events and opportunities, research, course planning, and more.

Computer Science and Computer Information Systems Programs

Computer science, like engineering, is an “applied science” that deals with “how things ought to be.” This is different from “natural sciences,” which are concerned with “how things are.” Computer science is more concerned with design and synthesis rather than with analysis and deduction (which are concerns of the natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology).

Upon graduation, an APU computer science/computer information systems major should be able to:

• Understand the design of computers and the computational process.
• Analyze and design data structures and algorithms.
• Understand programming concepts sufficiently enough to acquire computer language proficiency independently.
• Program a computer with knowledge of at least two programming languages.
• Understand and apply software development principles.

With a faculty of competent and dedicated teachers, small classes, state-of-the-art computer labs, and current versions of industry-used software, computer science at Azusa Pacific University offers a challenging, professional, and intellectually stimulating environment, providing a gateway to many exciting careers. We also offer cutting-edge elective courses, such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Mobile Application (App) Development

Engineering Program

Students in APU’s engineering program gain a solid foundation in engineering principles, as well as the processes and practices needed to coordinate various tasks involved in the life cycle of a system, ensuring that performance, reliability, cost, and schedule requirements are met.

Students learn fully integrated design and analytical solutions to complex technological challenges, preparing them for careers in a range of fields including aerospace, agriculture, automotive, business, defense, energy, health care, and telecommunications. Students also have the option to choose from two concentrations: systems engineering and computer engineering.

Project Lead the Way

Azusa Pacific University is a proud Project Lead the Way partner university and has memorandums of understanding (MOU) with our surrounding school districts (Arcadia, Azusa, Bassett, Bonita, Chaffey, Charter Oak, Chino Valley, Claremont, Covina-Valley, Duarte, Glendora, Monrovia, Rowland, Temple City, Upland, West Covina) many of whom who are Project Lead the Way schools. To students hailing from schools in these districts, who also meet a set of minimum academic requirements, Azusa Pacific guarantees admittance and at least $10,000 in financial aid.

Azusa Pacific’s Engineering and Computer Science majors learn fully integrated design and analytical solutions to complex technological challenges, preparing them for careers in a range of fields including aerospace, agriculture, automotive, business, defense, energy, health care, and telecommunications. All Engineering and Computer Science students are required to participate in at least one industry internship. Past interns have found placement at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Raytheon, Powers Settlements, Lockheed Martin, Code 2040, Goddard, and Jackson and Tull, as well as other regional firms and companies.

Note: This information is current for the 2024-25 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.