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Wentworth’s Computer Networking students learn how to apply cutting-edge technology to design, manage, and secure the complex networks and systems that organizations depend on in their information technology infrastructure. These systems provide the backbone for the operations of top companies around the world.

Please note: This program is not accepting applications for Fall 2024

  • Forging Real-World Skills in the Classroom

    Wentworth Computer Networking students  in computer networks (switching, routing), system and network administration, computer and network security, operating systems, web programming, databases, and project management. Students can take courses in our specialized networking lab provides students with project-based, practical learning opportunities in network configuration, security, and operations. 

    Wentworth Computer Networking graduates work in network administration, network engineering, system administration, database administration, web design, operations support, and security.

    Co-op Experience with Top Employers 

    Through Wentworth’s strong network of employers, including many alumni, Computer Networking students obtain professional experience during their two required cooperative work semesters. Partners hiring our co-op students include Akamai Technologies, athenahealth, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Raytheon, Spark Technology, Starry, and The Broad Institute.

  • The Wentworth Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

    For program objectives, outcomes and enrollment and degree data, please visit the Computer Networking Accreditation Information page.

  •  
  • Students in Computer Networking gain valuable skills in switching and routing, network and computer security, administration, web development, databases, and scripting. Coursework emphasizes practical applications of these skills in designing, configuring, documenting, and maintaining complex systems. Students also apply these skills directly in the work environment through two required co-op work semesters beginning junior year.

    View the Course Catalog below for information about program requirements.

    For an overview of the year-by-year experience in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking program, see "What You'll Learn" below.

    Total credits for degree: 120

    This four year program, starting in the fall semester of the student's first year and planned to end in the summer semester of the student's fourth year. The courses are as follows:

    Plan of Study Grid
    Freshman Year
    Fall SemesterCredits
    COMP1000 COMPUTER SCIENCE I 4
    COMP1100 INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS 4
    MATH1500 PRECALCULUS 4
    English Sequence* 4
     Credits16
    Spring Semester
    COMP1050 COMPUTER SCIENCE II 4
    COMP1150 ROUTING AND SWITCHING 4
    MATH2300 DISCRETE MATHEMATICS 4
    English Sequence* 4
     Credits16
    Sophomore Year
    Fall Semester
    COMP1200 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION 4
    COMP2500 SECURITY PRINCIPLES 4
    MATH1030 STATISTICS & APPLICATIONS 4
    HSS Elective 3 4
     Credits16
    Spring Semester
    COMP2150 NETWORK ADMINISTRATION 4
    COMP2160 WIRELESS NETWORKS 4
    COMP2650 DATABASES 4
    SCIENCE Elective 2 4
     Credits16
    Summer Semester
    COOP3000 PRE CO-OP WORK TERM (OPTIONAL) 1
     Credits1
    Junior Year
    Fall Semester
    COMP3100 SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION 4
    COMP3500 NETWORK SECURITY 4
    NET Elective 1 4
    HSS Elective 3 4
     Credits16
    Spring Semester
    COOP3500 COOP EDUCATION 1
     Credits0
    Summer Semester
    COMP3550 COMPUTER SECURITY 4
    MATH1900 INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONS RESEARCH 4
    NET Elective 1 4
    NET Elective 1 4
     Credits16
    Senior Year
    Fall Semester
    COOP4500 COOP EDUCATION 2
     Credits0
    Spring Semester
    COMP4650 WEB DEVELOPMENT 4
    COMP4950 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 4
    HSS Elective 3 4
     Credits12
    Summer Semester
    COMP5500 SENIOR PROJECT 4
    NET Elective 1 4
    Advanced Security Elective 1 4
     Credits12
     Total Credits121
    1

    Computer Networking students take a total of five major electives. Four electives must be selected from the Computer Networking Electives and at least one selected from the Advanced Security Elective list below.

    The Computer Networking Elective courses to be offered in a particular semester will be selected by the School of Computing and Data Science.  

    2

    Computer Networking students are required to take one science elective. The science elective can be a 4-credit course in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics for which the student has the prerequisite courses. BIOl2990, Chem2990, PHYS2990, BIOL3800, CHEM3800 and PHYS3800 require School approval to satisfy the Science Elective requirement.

    3

     Of the three listed humanities and social  science electives BSCN students must include and Ethics course:

    PHIL4401 ENGINEERING ETHICSPHIL4501 ETHICSPHIL4525 VIRTUAL ETHICS or PHIL4600 DESIGNING THE GOOD LIFE

    ENGL/HSS Note

    Students are required to complete:

    • At least one course in Humanities: CSAS, HSSI, HIST, HUMN, LITR and PHIL
    • At least one course in the Social Sciences: CSAS, HSSI, COMM, ECON, ENVM, POLS, PSYC and SOCL
    • The remaining course from either the Humanities or Social Sciences category. 

    Students with a three English course sequence may use the third English course to satisfy a Humanities requirement.

    A minimum of 20 credits total, including English, humanities, and social science credit, is required to complete the humanities and social sciences graduation requirement.

    The Computer Networking Electives:

    Course Title Credits
    COMP2000DATA STRUCTURES4
    COMP2350ALGORITHMS4
    COMP3125DATA SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS4
    COMP3200ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE4
    COMP3350PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES4
    COMP3400OPERATING SYSTEMS4
    COMP3450PARALLEL COMPUTING AND DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING4
    COMP3575SCRIPTING FOR CYBERSECURITY AND FORENSICS4
    COMP3580DIGITAL FORENSICS4
    COMP3590APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY4
    COMP3660MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT4
    COMP3750INTRODUCTION TO BIOSTATISTICS4
    COMP3800SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMPUTER NETWORKING OR COMPUTER SCIENCE (require School approval to satisfy Computer Networking Electives)4
    COMP4050MACHINE LEARNING4
    COMP4150ADVANCED SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION4
    COMP4450SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING4
    COMP4460COMPILERS4
    COMP4960SOFTWARE ENGINEERING4
    COMP4500OFFENSIVE SECURITY4
    COMP4550INCIDENT RESPONSE & BUSINESS CONTINUITY4
    COMP4580NETWORK FORENSICS4
    COMP4590PUBLIC KEY CRYPTOGRAPHY4
    COMP4600QUANTUM COMPUTING FOR SECURITY4
    COMP4700ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE4
    COMP4750EMBEDDED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE4
    COMP4775ADVANCED PARALLEL COMPUTING4
    COMP5050MODERN COMPUTING4
    COMP5750EMBEDDED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE4
    COMP5775ADVANCED PARALLEL COMPUTING4

    The Advanced Security Electives: 

    Course Title Credits
    COMP3575SCRIPTING FOR CYBERSECURITY AND FORENSICS4
    COMP3580DIGITAL FORENSICS4
    COMP3590APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY4
    COMP4500OFFENSIVE SECURITY4
    COMP3800SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMPUTER NETWORKING OR COMPUTER SCIENCE (require School approval to satisfy Advanced Computer Networking Electives)4
    COMP4550INCIDENT RESPONSE & BUSINESS CONTINUITY4
    COMP4580NETWORK FORENSICS4
    COMP4590PUBLIC KEY CRYPTOGRAPHY4
    COMP4600QUANTUM COMPUTING FOR SECURITY4

What You’ll Learn

  • Year 1

    You’ll establish a foundation for your Computer Networking program by taking Computer Science I & II, Introduction to Networks, and Routing & Switching. These will be supported by introductory math courses.

  • Year 2

    Second-year computer networking students dive further into key concepts with courses like Networking Administration and Computer Organization. 

    An optional pre co-op work term is available to students during the summer semester.

  • Year 3

    In the fall and summer semesters of your third year, you’ll continue to bolster your computer networking knowledge with courses that focus on Computer Security and System Administration. You’ll also be able to supplement your core program courses with electives in your desired area of study.

    In the spring, you’ll begin the first of two required co-ops.

  • Year 4

    In the fall, you’ll go on your second required co-op to gain more hands-on industry experience.

    The remainder of your program allows you to round out your networking knowledge, as well as work on your senior project in your final semester.