Computer science is a core discipline in the information society, driving innovation across industries through integrated knowledge of software and hardware. It emphasizes the cultivation of creative talent and is the backbone of cutting-edge science and technology with practical impact in a variety of fields.
Computer science is an essential and core discipline for the transformation of our society into an information society, designing and building high-performance computers and developing software for their operation and application, and making them available to the entire industry. In particular, it focuses not only on improving the performance of computers themselves, but also on innovations that utilize computers in various industries. Computer science is not just a purely theoretical field of study, but one that has direct applications in the real world.
Although it was born in the mid-20th century and has a short history compared to other disciplines, its influence is growing, and it is a forward-thinking discipline that is expected to become even more important in the future. Many universities around the world are now investing heavily in computer science, and countries are recognizing the importance of talent and providing generous support year after year. This support goes beyond mere skill development and is part of an effort to ensure global competitiveness in the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing.
As such, computer science-related fields are now among the largest and fastest-growing industrial sectors, and the impact of advances in computer science on the development of not only the information industry but also industries in general is significant. For example, advances in computer science have enabled the development of advanced technologies such as smart factories, self-driving cars, healthcare, and more, and these technologies are making a huge difference in our daily lives.
Education and research in the field of computer science requires logical reasoning and original thinking, based on fundamental knowledge of engineering and science. The software and hardware concepts of computer science are very closely related, and students study both fields together, gaining expertise in computer structures, operating systems, databases, programming languages, data communications, artificial intelligence, algorithms, object-oriented languages, and more. This curriculum allows students to quickly adapt to the latest technological trends and equips them with the ability to be at the forefront of new technologies.
Computer Science graduates go on to work in industry and academia in Korea and abroad. Bachelor’s graduates go on to master’s programs or are employed by companies, while master’s graduates go on to graduate schools in Korea and abroad to continue their research or work as mid-level researchers in companies and research institutes. In recent years, computer science majors are increasingly realizing their ideas through venture capital, with many successful IT start-ups. NHN, NEXON, and Ingen are some examples. Doctoral graduates are playing leading roles in cutting-edge research in computing at universities, companies, and research institutes.
As such, computer science plays a pivotal role in the development of modern high-tech science and industry. With the rapid development of technology, the applications of computer science are spreading to all areas of daily life, such as homes, factories, and banks, and competent computer science students are needed in all areas of society. Therefore, to meet this social demand, computer science focuses on training talented people who combine theory and practice. In the process, students not only acquire knowledge, but also develop creative problem-solving skills and acquire skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace.
Therefore, computer science education is taught in a variety of ways and focuses on developing future technology leaders who are capable of creating new knowledge. In particular, fieldwork and project-based learning give students a head start on the skills required in real-world industrial environments and help them become globally competitive. Taking all of this into account, computer science is a cutting-edge discipline from a professional perspective that deals with all things related to computers, which have become a fundamental tool of human civilization.
