which popularity of computer science majors among college freshmen Slashdot?
netbuzz sends along a piece from Network World reporting that the number of computer science majors enrolled at US universities increased for the first time in six years, according to new survey data out this morning. The Taulbee Study found that the number of undergraduates signed up as computer science majors rose 8% last year. The survey was conducted last fall, just as the economic downturn started to bite. The article notes the daunting competition for positions at top universities: Carnegie Mellon University received 2,600 applications for 130 undergrad spots, and 1,400 for 26 PhD slots. “…the popularity of computer science majors among college freshmen and sophomores is because IT has better job prospects than other specialties, especially in light of the global economic downturn. … The latest unemployment numbers for 2008 for computer software engineers is 1.6%… That’s beyond full employment. … The demand for tech jobs may rise further thanks to the Obama Administration
Computer science major is cool again U.S. undergraduate majors rise 8.1%, first increase since 2000 By Carolyn Duffy Marsan , Network World , 03/17/2009 Newsletter Signup * Share/Email * Tweet This * 13 Comments * Print The number of computer science majors enrolled at U.S. universities increased for the first time in six years, according to a Computing Research Association study being released Tuesday. Does a computer science degree matter any more? The Taulbee Study found that the number of undergraduates signed up as computer science majors rose 8.1% in 2008. Total enrollment in computer science classes — including majors and pre-majors — was up 6.2%. U.S. tech industry heavyweights, computer science educators and CIOs hailed the news as a sign that IT is becoming more popular with teens. Related Content * Flight risk? High-tech talent set to take off post economic recovery * IT paycuts: Are you next? * Top 10 technology skills * Seven Design Requirements for Web 2.0 Threat Protec
