Computer science trains students to build digital tools that shape the modern world, while social science examines how people and societies use — and are affected by — those tools. Launching in 2026, this joint program between the USF College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (ISS) and the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing offers one integrated program designed to develop professionals who not only understand how to build systems but also know how those systems affect communities, policies and people.
It prepares graduates for emerging fields such as user experience research, tech policy, data ethics and AI transparency - areas where understanding human behavior is as important as technical skill.
INTERDISCIPLINARY, NOT PARALLEL TRACKS
Students in this interdisciplinary degree learn how technology and human behavior intersect from day one — not as separate silos. Unlike dual degrees that split requirements across two majors, this single curriculum merges computing and social science seamlessly.
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Connect code to culture: Students study programming, AI and data analysis while learning how human decisions, policies and institutions use technology. This program equips students to shape how technology serves society.
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Save time and expand perspective: As a single integrated program, students graduate faster than if they had pursued two separate degrees, all while gaining the analytical precision of computing and the interpretive insight of social sciences.
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Systems thinking for society: Each course reinforces the idea that technology doesn’t exist in isolation. It affects how people work, govern, communicate and make meaning.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The program develops a new kind of professional, one fluent in both code and context. Students learn to design systems that serve people equitably, analyze data to uncover patterns of behavior and evaluate the ethical implications of innovation.
- Balanced foundations: Computer science courses in programming, algorithms, AI and secure computing are combined with social sciences coursework in social theory, research methods and contemporary issues in society.
- Hands-on learning: Students complete a final project that demonstrates a learned experience through an interdisciplinary lens, where they analyze complex problems, such as data privacy, misinformation or algorithmic bias, through technical and human lenses. Students might analyze how social media algorithms influence public opinion or evaluate ways that AI is changing daily life for a specific population. The possibilities are endless but the impact is the same: students graduate knowing how to look at computing systems from a non-traditional viewpoint.
- Career preparation: Graduates are ready for roles in UX research, data and policy analysis, digital ethics, technology communication and social-impact data science.
- Options: Students will choose two ISS concentrations, one of which must be sociology, and have options ranging from history to deaf studies, information studies to behavioral health. The options can be viewed here.
The end result: graduates who can design technology that’s not only effective but also ethical, responsible and human-centered.
The USF catalog will be the official guide to the program; a link to the catalog is expected early in the spring semester.
Career Outlook
As artificial intelligence and automation expand, employers increasingly seek people who understand both technology and human behavior. Graduates will be well prepared for roles at the intersection of computing, data and society. Graduates can influence tech design, public policy or user experience, preparing for meaningful careers while ensuring emerging technologies remain ethical, inclusive and aligned with human values.
Because this is a new, unique blend, current U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t compile data for exact roles in this field, but the demand for jobs in related areas such as user experience, market research and systems analysis are growing, with projected increases ranging from 7% to 13% over the next decade. These positions blend data analytics, human-centered design and policy insight — skills central to this interdisciplinary program.
TWO COLLEGES, FULL ACCESS
Students in this program are part of two USF colleges: the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing and the College of Arts and Sciences, home to the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Students are fully integrated into both colleges, not simply splitting time between them.
The Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences brings together faculty with expertise in many areas of social inquiry. Their research explores social inequality, identity, community and culture, social movements, migration, consumer culture, the environment, urban sociology, social psychology, poverty and mobility and more.
In this program, you can learn from Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing faculty whose research and teaching bridge computing, human behavior and real-world problem solving as well as faculty from the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences , whose research explores social inequality, identity, community and culture, social movements, migration, consumer culture, the environment, urban sociology, social psychology, poverty and mobility and more. Together, these scholars bring expertise in AI, human-computer interaction and social science, giving graduates the technical skills in interdisciplinary, data-driven careers across industries and organizations. A few faculty teaching courses in this program include:
Byron Miller is an associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. His research investigates adolescent development, mental health and interracial relationships, using an epidemiological lens to understand how social and psychological factors shape outcomes. He brings applied sociological perspectives into the curriculum. Read his full bio.
Shaun Canavan is an expert in affective computing and human-computer interaction, studying how machines can recognize and respond to human behavior and emotion. His work connects AI with real-world use cases, from security to behavioral analysis, helping students understand how intelligent systems interact with people in high-stakes environments. Read his full bio.
Vrinda Marwah is an assistant professor of sociology whose research focuses on gender, health and political sociology using ethnographic methods. She examines how gender shapes experiences within state programs and health systems, including work with community health workers in international contexts. Her teaching connects social research to lived experience. Read her full bio.
Jing Wang specializes in computing education, applied artificial intelligence and broadening participation in technology fields. She is known for creating innovative pathways into computing for students from diverse backgrounds. Her teaching blends technical foundations with real-world applications, preparing students to use computing to solve complex social problems. Read her full bio.
James Cavendish is an associate professor of sociology whose research explores how religion, community and social movements influence social change. His work spans topics including inequality, race and ethnicity and the role of organizations in community well-being. In the classroom, he brings real-world sociology insight that deepens understanding of social systems. Read his full bio.
Julia Woodward researches how people interact with technology, focusing on human-centered computing and intuitive system design. Her work helps ensure emerging technologies are usable, ethical and accessible. In the classroom, she emphasizes critical thinking about how computing systems impact people, organizations and society. Read her full bio.