Project Topics for Computer Science Students

Students immersed in digital coding and web design understand the massive impact of computers on society. Linda Landis Andrews, author of the book "How to Choose a College Major," explains that tenets of this field apply to other disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, economics, math, and statistics. Because of the numerous implications of computer science in these diverse fields, a wide variety of paper topics are available.

E-Commerce Security

Computer science has revolutionized the way companies do business. For many companies, e-commerce constitutes a large portion of business. For the project, explain what infrastructure is needed to support e-commerce. Identify the most typical computer designs for e-commerce, such as web checkout and product display, and assess the benefits and disadvantages of such features.

Also, pinpoint the security threats of each method. Robert C. Newman explains in his book "Computer Security: Protecting Digital Resources" that transmitting financial information wirelessly is a large issue for companies. He explains that authorization and authentication measures must be secure in order to conduct e-commerce. For the project, identify the most common threats and design a basic system that improves the safety of financial transactions online.

Search Engine Optimization

The most well-known search engines such as Google and Yahoo! have complex algorithms that determine the rankings of websites. For the project, build a basic website and experiment with the page rankings of the site. Immerse yourself in search engine optimization (SEO) and critique the system search engines used to rank pages. For example, explain how the numbers of back links and inbound links are indicative of a good website. Detail the most common mistakes of websites built by novices with regards to SEO, overall design, and web coding.

Cyber Wars

Computers are both a tool and a weapon: garnering confidential information from companies, shutting down databases, and operating drone planes from a remote office are just a few of the ways that computers have revolutionized the battlefield. Furthermore, computers blur the identity of the enemy by providing an often nameless, faceless cover. A 2010 "Navy Times" article highlights the recent U.S. Department of Defense appointment of a Cyber Commander. The goal of the position is to safeguard U.S. military intelligence.

For the project, uncover the most common methods of cyber attacks used by hackers. Go through the different attacks by their level of complexity. Then, explain what antivirus software or firewalls work and why. If possible, improve upon the existing software.

Databases

Companies and institutions store copious amounts of information in databases. However, such databases are rife with privacy and security concerns. For example, social media networks like Faceook and MySpace want to sell user data to companies for marketing purposes. This goal conflicts with their users' desire for privacy. Likewise, implementing a nationwide healthcare database that consolidates the data of patients could reduce costs and eliminate double-testing.

For the project, design database features that can reduce privacy concerns, like data masking. Explain how companies can protect and store data. Discuss the possibilities of outsourcing data protection to a third party or maintaining an in-house system.