DANBURY, CONN. — Frontier Communications’ 2016 survey of top information technology and computer science offerings at small colleges and universities in Connecticut has recognized the Western Connecticut State University computer science program as the leader in its field.

Frontier’s inaugural college survey, released Feb. 8, singled out WCSU for offering the top computer science program among Connecticut colleges and universities with enrollments of less than 6,500. The Frontier survey established composite rankings based on measures including the number of degrees offered, the number of graduates annually from these programs, the cost of attendance and average spending per student.

WCSU currently offers a computer science major and minor, a Web development minor, an informatics minor and a digital media minor. The university plans to add two new degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computing and a Bachelor of Arts in Digital and Interactive Media Arts. Specialized concentrations in the applied computing program will include IT security, digital media and software engineering.

Computer Science Department Chair Dr. Gancho Ganchev expressed pride in the WCSU program’s recognition by the Frontier survey, noting that development of the two new degree programs has been driven by student demand for studies focusing in these areas.

“We have an active student computing club and we listen to the suggestions that our students make,” Ganchev said. “One of the greatest strengths of our present program is its rigor and adherence to the national and international computer science curriculum recommendations. This makes our graduates competitive and successful, both in joining the workforce and in continuing with their education. The new programs will broaden the opportunities for our graduates in the areas in which talent currently is sought most: IT security and software engineering.”

Ganchev noted that the cost-effectiveness of the WCSU computer science program will be further enhanced by the ongoing initiative in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system to develop community college courses in computer science offering credits that are fully transferable to the Western degree programs.

Survey details are available at http://internet.frontier.com/resources/top-it-programs. For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.