Job Spotlight
Software/Application Developer
Median earnings
$50/hr
Projected job growth to 2024
+24% (National)
+31% (Michigan)
What you'll learn and do at NMU
The computer science major at Northern combines courses in practical programming, computer architecture, networking and algorithm design/analysis with an appropriate background in mathematics and theory of computing. Included are classes covering the latest technologies such as mobile devices, Internet applications and robotics.
The new embedded systems major is designed to each students both how to design and build computer controlled machines, and how to program the resulting devices. Electronics technologies classes fulfill the first objective, and the computer science classes fulfill the second objective.
The mobile and web app development major is designed to offer students an education in the important world of mobile and web application programming. The course of study emphasizes programming skills, including for the web, iOS, and Android platforms. Students will learn the fundamentals of computer science while focusing on aspects important to network computing.
Job Spotlight
Information Security Analyst
Median earnings
$46/hr
Projected job growth to 2024
+28% (National)
+35% (Michigan)
About the career
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases. Most information security analysts work for computer companies, consulting firms or business and financial companies.
What you'll learn and do at NMU
You don’t need to be a computer genius to succeed in the world of cybersecurity – you just need to be adventurous, curious and willing to learn. In Northern’s information assurance/cyber defense major, you will combine courses in business, computer information systems and cybersecurity to form the wide-reaching skills necessary for this exciting and rapidly expanding eld.
You will learn about accounting practices, business and cyber law, networks and security, UNIX administration, and choose from classes in e-commerce, digital and network forensics and mobile applications. You’ll also participate in a hands-on project or internship that will provide valuable real-world experience.
Upper Cybersecurity Institute and Cyber Defense Lab:
Build your cybersecurity skills and earn badges from the U.P. Cybersecurity Institute at NMU. It offers non-degree and industry credentials for emerging careers in cybersecurity.
It also augments NMU’s cyber defense bachelor’s degree and provides career exploration and training opportunities for U.P. high school students through certifications, exercises and workshops, such as the Auto Hacking Dashboard, Capture the Flag and HackerOne.
Northern’s 24-seat cyber defense laboratory is equipped with the latest networking equipment and the same software used by security professionals. Students learn real-world computer networking, ethical hacking, and defensive security techniques, and how to think like a hacker in order to protect against them.