POTSDAM — The State University of New York at Potsdam is starting new career-ready concentrations for its longstanding program in computer science.

Students in SUNY Potsdam's Bachelor of Science degree program in computer science can now choose from concentrations in cybersecurity or data analytics, preparing them for dynamic careers in these high-demand and growing fields.

There is also a general track, allowing students to take advanced computer science courses in any topic area to personalize their studies.

The updated curriculum will help position the department to maintain its 100 percent placement rate of graduates into some of the most desirable and high-paying jobs in the modern workplace, bolstered by the internship experiences and real-world research projects that undergraduates complete as part of their studies.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for information security analysts is $112,000, and the field is expected to grow by 32 percent over the next decade, much faster than average.

The bureau also reports that data scientists earn a median salary of $103,500 annually, and that field is anticipated to grow by 35 percent from 2022 to 2032.

For both information security and data science, a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education to join the fields.

"SUNY Potsdam's computer science program has been preparing computing professionals since 1969. The program is well-known and respected throughout the region and has graduates working in many areas of the computing field. Potsdam graduates are successful in many types of companies, from IBM and Lockheed Martin to small regional companies," said Associate Professor and Department Chair Dr. Laura Grabowski. "Our courses stress applied knowledge and skills, and industry-standard tools and practices. All CS majors at SUNY Potsdam must complete a capstone experience with either an internship in industry or a student-designed senior project. This emphasis on real-world application, tools and methods prepares our graduates for the fast-paced and ever-changing world of technology."

Applications are now being accepted for the new tracks. To learn more, visit potsdam.edu/apply.