Computer science focuses on how to create a model for a real-world situation, how to represent that model inside a computer, and how to devise mechanizable techniques to manipulate that model. Such models and techniques are used to understand or investigate the situation or to solve real-world problems.

Introductory courses prepare a student to do such problem-solving in any domain. Students pursuing a computer science major learn more advanced techniques for such modeling and also focus on models specific to computer science and computer technology. Upper-level elective courses prepare students for graduate-level study and for vocations in various computer fields.