You're Up to Date: USU Modernizes Degree Programs, Launches New School of Computing

Editor’s note: This is an open letter introducing USU’s new School of Computing written by Jake Gunther, interim school director and current head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

There is a conversation happening on social media that caught my attention recently. On Reddit, TikTok, and LinkedIn, people are claiming that artificial intelligence has made the computer science or software engineering degree a thing of the past. I understand the anxiety, but I disagree with the claim. And I think there’s a lot more to the story than what can be portrayed in a 10-second meme. While the recent acceleration of AI-powered tools has changed computer science education, the need for highly trained computing and software engineering professionals will remain strong for years to come.

It’s important for prospective students to understand that the role of the computer scientist and software engineer has evolved. Fifteen years ago, computer science students could count on employers extending job opportunities even before graduation day. Our alumni regularly received attractive offers for careers in Silicon Valley and in Utah’s tech and defense industries. Today, however, students are developing a more nuanced understanding of the modern engineering workforce and—more importantly—a clearer picture of what employers actually need from entry-level developers.

Here’s an interesting statistic: A recent study by the non-profit METR organization found that software developers who used AI tools to complete certain tasks, actually experienced a slow-down in productivity. The researchers asked 16 experienced developers with moderate AI proficiency to complete a mix of tasks with and without the help of artificial intelligence. Before beginning their tasks, the developers predicted that AI would cut completion time by roughly 25 percent. To their surprise, the authors learned that the developers who used AI actually experienced a decline in productivity. It took them 19 percent longer to complete the work.

So, there’s a lot to unpack here. The METR authors are not saying AI is unhelpful. Rather, they’re highlighting a fact that our School of Computing faculty have been repeating for years: Those who gain a significant increase in productivity with the help of AI are usually those with extensive training in both fundamental programming and AI integration. AI is not a shortcut. Unfortunately, many incoming students think of it this way. I’ve seen it firsthand. When a student relies too heavily on AI without a deep understanding of the underlying problem, their experience is miserable. They get burned out by frustration, and they lose hours of valuable time.

A computer science or software engineering student in 2026 has to be every bit as good (or even better) than the last generation of programmers who never had access to these powerful tools. To help modernize the student training experience at USU, we have completely reimagined our computer science curriculum. Starting this fall, students will be part of large studio courses that mimic industry-scale projects. The classroom will feel more like a professional setting, and our professors will operate more like program managers who guide projects to completion. This combination of real-world experience and industry-relevant mentorship will create the most qualified computer scientists and software engineers who are ready to lead across multiple industries.

This rapid pace of change is, in part, of what motivated USU to consolidate its computing disciplines under a new School of Computing. On July 1, we launched this new organization to both modernize our degree offerings and to reach more prospective students. The centerpiece of the new school is the faculty and staff from the former Department of Computer Science. The new School of Computing will continue offering bachelor’s and graduate degrees in computer science and will soon offer new degrees in artificial intelligence engineering, software engineering and data science.

My vision is to establish an open model for the School of Computing—to make it a hub for innovation, cross-disciplinary research, and novel academic programs with partners across USU and beyond. From my perspective, it’s a great time to study computer science at USU. This an ideal setting for students to thrive and to discover their professional identity. With our exceptional faculty, we’re poised to build the School of Computing into an exceptional organization that empowers students and serves the state of Utah and its residents.

Jake Gunther, Ph.D.Interim Director, School of Computing